Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Trefil Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, a.s., Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Mičáková Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, a.s., Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Stiborová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Poplštein Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, a.s., Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. P Brillard Author-Workplace-Name: INRA, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, Station de Recherches Avicoles, Nouzilly, France Author-Name: P. Hodek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic Title: Effects of α - naphthoflavone on body growth and gonad development in chickens (Gallus domesticus) Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged oral administration of α -naphthoflavone on somatic and germinal development in male and female chickens (Gallus domesticus). No significant differences were observed at any tested age (6, 8, 10 and 12 wks) between control and treated groups of either sex in total body weight and in the weights of kidney, liver, gizzard, heart, abdominal fat, breast and ovary tissues (P > 0.05). Mean testicular weights were similar between groups at 6, 8 and 10 wks but at 12 wks males supplemented with α -naphthoflavone had significantly heavier testicle weights (P < 0.01) compared to 2 control groups. Histological examination of the seminiferous tubules (ST) revealed a more advanced stage of maturation in the testes of α -naphthoflavone-treated males, and the presence of testicular spermatozoa was observable as early as at 12 weeks of age. The testes of males from the two control groups were still at an impuberal stage at this age. Keywords: CYP 19 inhibitor, body growth, testes, broiler breeders, poultry Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 231-238 Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4305-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4305-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200406-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:6:id:4305-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Nowacka Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Author-Name: M. Switonski Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Author-Name: M. Mackowski Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Author-Name: E. Slota Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Author-Name: A. Radko Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Author-Name: T. Zabek Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Author-Name: K. Urbaniak Author-Workplace-Name: , M. S 1, M. M 1, E. S 2, A. R 2, T. Z 2, K. U Title: The ambiguity of freemartinism diagnosis in cattle revealed by cytogenetic and molecular techniques Abstract: Nineteen heifers and three male co-twins, originating from heterosexual twin pregnancies, were analysed with the use of cytogenetic and molecular techniques. A large number (50-400) of Giemsa stained metaphase spreads were studied and the proportion of XX and XY cell lines was calculated. The presence of two genes - SRY and AMEL (AMELX and AMELY) - was also analysed. Both approaches facilitated the identification of the XX/XY chimerism in 17 females and three males. The proportion of the co-twin cell line ranged from 1 to 99%. In two females no chimerism was detected: (1) 60,XY male chromosome complement in all 400 metaphase spreads; SRY-positive, AMELY-positive, AMELX-positive and (2) 60,XX female chromosome complement in all 200 metaphase spreads; SRY-negative, AMELY-negative, AMELX-positive. The usefulness of different techniques for the diagnosis of freemartinism is discussed. Keywords: intersexuality, freemartinism, XX/XY chimerism, cattle Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 239-243 Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4306-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4306-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200406-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:6:id:4306-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Přibyl Author-Workplace-Name: , P. Š 1, M. Š 1, L. S 2, V. Č 3 1Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Šafus Author-Workplace-Name: , P. Š 1, M. Š 1, L. S 2, V. Č 3 1Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Štípková Author-Workplace-Name: , P. Š 1, M. Š 1, L. S 2, V. Č 3 1Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Stádník Author-Workplace-Name: , P. Š 1, M. Š 1, L. S 2, V. Č 3 1Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Čermák Author-Workplace-Name: , P. Š 1, M. Š 1, L. S 2, V. Č 3 1Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Selection index for bulls of Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic Abstract: Complex selection indexes are proposed for bulls of Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic. Partial breeding values for milk performance, fertility and body conformation are combined in the index. Conformation is expressed either by linear classification or by general characteristics and body measurements. Variants according to the traits included in breeding objective and in performance recordingwere tested - breeding objective comprised milk, meat, milkability, health, reproduction, longevity; production traits and linear classification of body conformation or production traits and general characteristics of body conformation and/or production traits, and general characteristics of body conformation and body measurements were used as source of information (in performancerecording). For practical use is recommended the variant of reduced selection index where milkability, health and meat performance were left out from breeding objective, and production traits and linear classification of body conformation were employed as a source of information. The index guarantees 69.30% reliability of breeding value estimate and the ratio of selection effects for milk, meat and secondary traits 78 : 8 : 14. The respective importance of milk performance in total (breeding values for milk and components) of reproduction and linear body classification as sources of information in the index are 79.61%, 15.52% and 4.86%. Keywords: selection index, Holstein cattle, bulls, genetic gain, weights of traits, production, fertility, body conformation Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 244-256 Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4307-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4307-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200406-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:6:id:4307-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z. Tarasewicz Author-Workplace-Name: , D. S 1, D. M 1, A. D 1, K. R 1, P. G Author-Name: D. Szczerbinska Author-Workplace-Name: , D. S 1, D. M 1, A. D 1, K. R 1, P. G Author-Name: D. Majewska Author-Workplace-Name: , D. S 1, D. M 1, A. D 1, K. R 1, P. G Author-Name: A. Danczak Author-Workplace-Name: , D. S 1, D. M 1, A. D 1, K. R 1, P. G Author-Name: K. Romaniszyn Author-Workplace-Name: , D. S 1, D. M 1, A. D 1, K. R 1, P. G Author-Name: P. Gulewicz Author-Workplace-Name: , D. S 1, D. M 1, A. D 1, K. R 1, P. G Title: Assessment of the influence of oligosaccharides isolated from pea seeds on functional quality of quail Abstract: An experiment was conducted on mature Pharaoh quail kept in cages with constant access to feed and water. The birds were divided into three feeding groups (two replications) of 48 female and 16 male birds each. Quail of the first group were fed a standard feed, those of group 2 and 3 received feed enriched with oligosaccharides at a dose of 0.4 g and 3 g, respectively. In the course of the experiment the following measurements were taken: bird weight, feed intake, egg laying capacity, egg weight, death rate, egg hatchability. Blood was examined for cholesterol and triglycerides, yolks for the protein and gammaglobulin level. The digestive tract was analysed for bifidobacteria counts. The oligosaccharide-enriched feed reduced the time of maturation, increased egg laying capacity and egg weight, and also decreased the consumption of feed per egg. No clear influence of the oligosaccharide supplementation was found as far as the blood cholesterol and triglyceride content was concerned and gammaglobulin in the eggs. The quail of the groups receiving oligosaccharides had lower bifidobacteria counts in their digestive tracts. Keywords: quail, pea, oligosaccharides, bifidobacteria, egg, immunoglobulin, cholesterol Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 257-264 Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4308-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4308-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200406-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:6:id:4308-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Gugolek Author-Workplace-Name: , M. O. L 1, Z. R 2, T. R 3 1Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding, 2Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, 3Department of Pathological Anatomy, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: M. O Lorek Author-Workplace-Name: , M. O. L 1, Z. R 2, T. R 3 1Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding, 2Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, 3Department of Pathological Anatomy, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: Z. Rotkiewicz Author-Workplace-Name: , M. O. L 1, Z. R 2, T. R 3 1Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding, 2Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, 3Department of Pathological Anatomy, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: T. Rotkiewicz Author-Workplace-Name: , M. O. L 1, Z. R 2, T. R 3 1Department of Fur-bearing Animal Breeding, 2Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, 3Department of Pathological Anatomy, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland Title: Effects of probiotic bacteria on the performance of arctic foxes, pathomorphology and microflora of their alimentary tracts Abstract: Studies on the use of Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures in arctic fox nutrition were performed on 80 foxes, in the period from weaning to the end of growth and fur development. Diets for the experimental animals were supplemented with 1 g of a probiotic preparation that provided the supply of each bacterial culture in the amount of 1 × 109 CFU (colony forming units) per day. The performance of the animals was estimated on the basis of their body weights, conformation and pelt quality. Histopathological examinations of the liver, kidneys and selected segments of the alimentary tract were also conducted. The results show that a mixture of Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures had beneficial effects on the health of artic foxes. The probiotic changed the composition of the alimentary tract microflora, which had a positive influence on the morphology of the alimentary tract mucosa and allowed to reduce morphological damage to the liver and kidneys. The good condition of foxes resulted in higher body weight gains and better parameters of conformation and pelt quality. Keywords: arctic fox, nutrition, probiotic, growth, pelt, alimentary tract, microflora Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 265-270 Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4309-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4309-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200406-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:6:id:4309-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: I. Šetlíková Author-Workplace-Name: , Z. A 2 1Faculty of Biological Sciences, 2Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology in Vodňany, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Adámek Author-Workplace-Name: , Z. A 2 1Faculty of Biological Sciences, 2Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology in Vodňany, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Title: Feeding selectivity and growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed on temperate-zone aquatic macrophytes Abstract: Feeding selectivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) juveniles (9.3-20.9 g) to four aquatic macrophyte species and tilapia growth were studied in 4 consecutive experiments. Plant diet was provided to 8 tanks containing 20 fishes for 5 days. The fish were fed a carp diet between 4 experiments for 14 days. The consumption of 4 aquatic macrophyte species differed significantly [F(3,252) = 39.6; P < 10-6]. Elodea canadensis was the most preferred plant (Chesson selectivity index = 0.50 ± 0.05, n = 4). Potamogeton pectinatus and Spirodela polyrhiza were consumed with about equal preference. Myriophyllum spicatum was the least preferred species. Elodea canadensis contained relatively more phosphorus, potassium and ash than the other three species. The daily plant dry weight intake ranged between 0.79 and 2.26% of body weight. The fish grew during the first two experiments (SGR = 2.54 and 3.18%/d, respectively), but lost weight during the 3rd and 4th experiments (SGR = -1.75 and -1.71%/d, respectively). Keywords: fish nutrition, cichlids, plant diet, Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton pectinatus, Spirodela polyrhiza Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 271-278 Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4310-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4310-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200406-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:6:id:4310-CJAS