Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Trefil Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Mičáková Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Mucksová Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Poplštein Author-Workplace-Name: BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, 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, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Sex reversed chicks (Gallus domesticus) hatched from eggs treated with aromatase inhibitor YM511 Abstract: The objectives of this study were to assess post-hatch development of chickens treated in ovo with the aromatase inhibitor YM511. A total of 137 eggs coming from artificially inseminated hens were at first injected in the albumen with either DMSO alone (54 eggs injected, control group) or with DMSO + aromatase inhibitor (YM511, 1 mg/egg, 83 eggs injected, treated group) and then incubated under standard conditions. Out of the 24 chicks hatched in the treated group, 16 were genetic males (ZZ) and 8 were genetic females (ZW). By 26 weeks of age, secondary sex characteristics of females (cloaca, comb, wattles, song, feathers of hackle and tail) progressively transformed into a male phenotype. Using CT-scanner technology in these 8 birds, the presence of irregular testis-like masses positioned in the antero-ventral portion of the kidneys was observable, an indication that reproductive organs had also been affected by the treatment. Keywords: aromatase, inhibitor, sex reversal, chicken Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 511-516 Volume: 49 Issue: 12 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4338-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4338-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200412-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:12:id:4338-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Thiemel Author-Workplace-Name: , P. J 2 1Agricultural Co-operative, Hlučín, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Jelínek Author-Workplace-Name: , P. J 2 1Agricultural Co-operative, Hlučín, Czech Republic Title: The effect of carnitine on hatching rate and metabolic profile of blood in breeding layers Abstract: We examined the effect of orally administered L-carnitine (at a dose of 30 mg per kg of feeding mixture) on egg hatching and some haematological and biochemical parameters of blood plasma in COBB 500 breeding layers of meat type. The experimental results confirmed a positive effect of L-carnitine, which increased the hatching rate significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by 8.89% as compared to the control. This positive effect resulted from a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in the number of unfertilized eggs in experimental layers (4.44%), as compared to the control (12.2%). Haematological tests such as total counts of erythrocytes and leukocytes showed no differences between control and experimental layers. However, the average levels of haematocrit and haemoglobin in experimental layers were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) (0.31 l/l and 85.67 g/l) in comparison with the control (0.33 l/l and 89.92 g/l). Biochemical examination of the samples of blood plasma collected from experimental layers after the administration of L-carnitine revealed higher levels of glucose and magnesium and lower levels of total protein, cholesterol, AST, calcium and phosphorus, as compared to the control. The differences in the average levels of the monitored biochemical parameters between control and experimental layers were found highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The results provide new knowledge of the effect of L-carnitine on the metabolism of layers. These results are important not only from the scientific aspect, they are also of practical importance and can be used to formulate diets for breeding layers in order to enhance reproduction. Keywords: layers, L-carnitine, reproduction, haematological and biochemical parameters Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 517-523 Volume: 49 Issue: 12 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4339-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4339-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200412-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:12:id:4339-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: O. Kadlečík Author-Workplace-Name: , R. K 1, L. H 2 1Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: R. Kasarda Author-Workplace-Name: , R. K 1, L. H 2 1Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: L. Hetényi Author-Workplace-Name: , R. K 1, L. H 2 1Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic Title: Genetic gain, increase in inbreeding rate and generation interval in alternatives of Pinzgau breeding program Abstract: The aim of this paper was to analyse alternatives of Pinzgau breeding program. Alternatives were optimised for genetic gain of selection index composed of parameters of milk efficiency traits and increase in inbreeding per generation. A scheme using the mating of 70% old proven sires led to a lower increase in inbreeding per generation from 0.248% to 1.903% than a young sires scheme with 0.313-2.177% or 0.303-2.18% without MOET when 2, 5, 10 and 20 proven sires were used in the population. Schemes using 70% mating of young sires resulted in a shorter generation interval of 3.46 years in comparison with proven sires scheme with 4.06 years. Young sires breeding program yielded lower genetic gain from 420.1 SKK per year when 20 proven sires were used to 578.44 SKK per year when 2 proven bulls were selected in the population. Proven sires breeding program led to higher genetic gain from 400.17 SKK (with 20 proven bulls) to 629.72 SKK (2 proven bulls). In a group with 20 proven bulls young sires breeding program with MOET resulted in genetic gain 466.38 SKK comparable to young sires breeding program without MOET with 10 proven sires. In groups with 10 or 5 proven bulls this alternative led to the highest genetic gain 515.45 SKK and 565.25 SKK, respectively. A group with 2 proven bulls in MOET scheme achieved similar genetic gain (629.14 SKK) like the proven sires scheme. Keywords: Pinzgau breed, gene flow, genetic gain, generation interval, inbreeding, milk Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 524-531 Volume: 49 Issue: 12 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4340-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4340-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200412-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:12:id:4340-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Roučková Author-Workplace-Name: , M. T 2, I. H 2 1University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Trčková Author-Workplace-Name: , M. T 2, I. H 2 1University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Herzig Author-Workplace-Name: , M. T 2, I. H 2 1University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The use of amaranth grain in diets for broiler chickens and its effect on performance and selected biochemical indicators Abstract: The objective of our experiment was to test the possibility of using amaranth grain, either heat-treated (AO) or without treatment (AN), in vegetable diets for broilers as a substitution for meat-and-bone meals. The effect of amaranth on performance and selected biochemical parameters was investigated. The groups of chickens fed with amaranth obtained comparable results in all characteristics with the control group whose diet included a component of animal origin. We did not observe any statistical differences in live weights of monitored groups of chickens on day 41 (Kab 2 149.9 ± 274.3; ANab 2 192.2 ± 255.2; AOab 2 186.2 ± 260.8 g). Feed conversion ranged from 1.9 kg in the control group of hens to 2.2 kg in the experimental group of cocks AOa. Carcass yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to the group AN. Biochemical characteristics, i.e. the concentrations of proteins, total lipids, cholesterol and glucose in blood sera of broiler chickens were monitored. The inclusion of amaranth in the rations of experimental groups had no effect on protein concentrations compared to the control group. The hypocholesteraemic and hypolipidaemic effects of amaranth grain, as mentioned in the literature, were not confirmed in our experiment. Glucose levels were significantly lower in the experimental groups of chickens (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). We can conclude that amaranth can be successfully used as a substitution for meat-and-bone meals in diets of broiler chickens, and that the tested amount of 7% in a ration had a positive effect on performance. Keywords: plant protein, weight, feed conversion, carcass yield, blood biochemistry Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 532-541 Volume: 49 Issue: 12 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4341-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4341-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200412-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:12:id:4341-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Pintar Author-Workplace-Name: , B. H 1, K. G 1, D. G 1, M. S 1,2, T. Č 1 1Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: B. Homen Author-Workplace-Name: , B. H 1, K. G 1, D. G 1, M. S 1,2, T. Č 1 1Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: K. Gazić Author-Workplace-Name: , B. H 1, K. G 1, D. G 1, M. S 1,2, T. Č 1 1Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: D. Grbeša Author-Workplace-Name: , B. H 1, K. G 1, D. G 1, M. S 1,2, T. Č 1 1Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: M. Sikirić Author-Workplace-Name: , B. H 1, K. G 1, D. G 1, M. S 1,2, T. Č 1 1Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: T. Černy Author-Workplace-Name: , B. H 1, K. G 1, D. G 1, M. S 1,2, T. Č 1 1Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia Title: Effects of supplemental phytase on performance and tibia ash of broilers fed different cereals based diets Abstract: A 21-day experiment with day-old broilers was conducted in order to assess the effect of phytase supplementation to different cereals-soybean meal based diets on broiler performance and tibia ash. Diets were formulated to contain 4 different cereals (maize, wheat, triticale and barley), 2 levels of dietary calcium (0.6 and 1.0%) and 3 levels of supplemental phytase (0, 500 and 1 000 PU/kg). Supplemented phytase had beneficial effects on broiler performance. It significantly increased body weight gain (P < 0.0003) and feed consumption (P < 0.0361) by 6 and 7% in comparison with the control groups, respectively. No influence on feed conversion ratio and tibia ash was detected. Both body weight gain and feed intake were also significantly influenced by different cereals (P < 0.0001 and 0.0348, respectively). The increasing dietary calcium level resulted in a significant increase in body weight gain (P < 0.0024) and tibia ash (P < 0.0016). Effects of 500 and 1 000 PU/kg were not statistically different between themselves. Keywords: phytase, maize, wheat, triticale, barley, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, tibia ash Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 542-548 Volume: 49 Issue: 12 Year: 2004 DOI: 10.17221/4342-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4342-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200412-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:49:y:2004:i:12:id:4342-CJAS