

S tradičními hodnotami pracujeme na základě nejnovějších vědeckých poznatků za pomoci inovací a moderních přístupů.
Welcome to Website of Institute of Animal Science!
Institute of Animal Science (IAS) Prague – Uhříněves is a public research institution founded by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic.
Since its foundation in 1951, the Institute has been a centre of research into biological and bio-technological basis of animal science.
IAS carries out basic and applied research focusing on innovation and the practical use of knowledge in animal science. Eight research departments perform research in the fields of animal genetics and breeding, bio-technology and reproduction, nutrition, quality of products, animal ethology and welfare, breeding technology, herd management and production economy.
In addition to basic and applied research, IAS carries out other expert activities. One of the most significant is the implementation of the National Programme for Conservation and Utilization of Farm Animal Genetic Resources. In 2016, the IAS was appointed as the National Centre for Genetic Resources to coordinate and implement the National Programme, along with many stakeholders. The Institute has also provided for the activity of the Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition and was entrusted by the Ministry of Agriculture to represent the Czech Republic in the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP). IAS provides professional training on classification of swine and cattle carcasses according to SEUROP, under a contract with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Test-Tube Heifer
The scientific team of the of the Biology of Reproduction department, lead by Jana Rychtářová, has successfully implemented artificial insemination in cattle. A heifer was born from an embryo produced by IVF (in vitro fertilization) on the farm of 1st Agricultural a.s. Chorušice. Číst dále→

The morphology of the vascular supply of peripheral branches of cardiac nerves has not been systematically described until now. The aim of this study was to describe the architectonics of the vasa nervorum of epicardial nerves in porcine hearts by using two injection techniques. Twenty-three hearts from young healthy pigs were used. In 10 hearts India ink solution was injected into the origin of the anterior interventricular branch. In another 10 hearts India ink solution was injected retrogradely through the coronary sinus. The hearts were then analyzed using a magnifying glass and light microscopy. The arterial injection showed the entirety of the rich venous components of the vasa nervorum, which often consisted of paired veins accompanying the epicardial nerves. The thickness of the nerves ranged from 50 to 815 μm. The vasa nervorum drained into larger subepicardial veins. In seven of the hearts prepared with venous injections the vasa nervorum of epicardial nerves were visualized in the same detail as in the arterial preparations and India ink solution filled the right ventricle via the smallest cardiac veins. The histological analysis of these seven hearts showed complete dehiscence and functional insufficiency of small and larger veins valves. In the other three hearts prepared with venous injections the valves were competent, which prevented retrograde filling of larger and smaller veins. The results obtained expand the current knowledge on epicardial nerves vasa nervorum and provide anatomical evidence behind the mechanism of retrograde application of cardioplegic solutions in cardiac surgery.

Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition
The Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition was established in 2002 as an advisory body of the food safety coordination group. Its main task is to prepare scientific studies, offer expert views, and prepare proposals for measures ensuring safety throughout the entire chain of food and feed production.

CURRENT PROJECTS
Describe a new trait - the general resilience of dairy cows. Provide a methodology for measuring this trait on the population level. Estimate genetic parameters of resilience and predict genomic breeding values. Analyse associations between resilience and other traits included in the selection index (production, fertility, longevity). Provide methodical foundations for including resilience in dairy cattle breeding.
The aim of the project is to collect the data needed for developing innovative regression equations and approving new methods of pig carcass classification. These would correspond to the current level of lean meat proportion in pig populations in the Czech Republic. At the same time they would respond to the need for updating in terms of technical, technological, breeding, etc. and reflect the requirements of suppliers and processors of slaughtered pigs. A sophisticated method of computed tomography will be used to achieve the set goal, replacing the very laborious and expensive manual dissection of pig carcasses.
The project "INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY OF VUŽV" is co-financed by the European Union. The project is aimed at strengthening international cooperation between the Institute of Animal Science foreign research institutions. The strengthening of international cooperation will lead to the acquisition of new information, the learning of new scientific procedures and the familiarisation with the ways of scientific work practiced in foreign institutions. By linking and sharing knowledge and experience, the internationalisation of the scientific community will be enhanced. Young researchers will gain new experience and suggestions through contact with a specialist from abroad, as well as through a trip to a foreign institution, which they will subsequently apply in their own research carried out in the interest of the development of Czech science and society. For senior scientists, a long-term internship or contact with a foreign scientist will provide an opportunity to break away from established practices, and a new perspective on topics within a given field of science. In the area of administration, we expect to gain deeper expertise and closer links between staff and foreign institutions, creating a basis for long-term cooperation and thus involvement in international projects. The ultimate goal in the long term is to increase the ability of the VÚŽV to participate in international scientific project consortia.
PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICAL USE
EXPERT REPORTS
Preparation of analyses, studies and research on individual demand
CONTRACT RESEARCH
Contract research following the partners’ assignment
SEUROP
Training courses for cattle and pig carcass classifiers.
ECONOMIC ANALYSES
ECOWEIGHT, FarmProfit, Forecasting the Structure of Dairy Cattle Herd, Forecasting the structure of dairy cattle herd
CONSULTANCY
Active consultancy for the breeders of dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats and sheep, pigs, poultry, rabbits, horses and cervids.
EXPERT SEMINARS
Invited lectures for breeders, students and agricultural business staff on specific topics