Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: D. Bureš Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Bartoň Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Zahrádková Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Teslík Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Krejčová Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Chemical composition, sensory characteristics, and fatty acid profile of muscle from Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Simmental, and Hereford bulls Abstract: Aberdeen Angus (AA), Charolais (CH), Simmental (SI), and Hereford (HE) bulls were used in two fattening experiments with the objective of determining breed differences in chemical composition, sensory characteristics, and fatty acid profile of m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum. The target slaughter live weights were set at 550 kg for earlier maturing breeds AA and HE and 630 kg for later maturing breeds CH and SI. Intramuscular lipid contents were higher in AA and HE (P < 0.05) than in CH and SI, but cholesterol contents were similar among the breed groups. The highest content of dry matter was found in HE (P < 0.05), while AA had the lowest protein content (P < 0.001). Meat from AA generally received the highest scores for different sensory characteristics (odour, flavour, texture, and juiciness). Concentrations of stearic acid (C18:0) in total muscle lipids were lower in SI than in CH (P < 0.05), while total saturated fatty acids were lower in SI compared to CH (P < 0.001) and AA (P < 0.05). CH had less oleic acid (C18:1-n9c) and total monounsaturated fatty acids than AA (P < 0.05), SI and HE (P < 0.01). Concentrations of linolenic acid (C18:3-n3) were highest in AA (P < 0.01). Keywords: beef cattle, bulls, breeds, meat quality, sensory characteristics, fatty acid composition Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 279-284 Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/3940-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3940-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200607-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:51:y:2006:i:7:id:3940-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Šafus Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Přibyl Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Veselá Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Vostrý Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Štípková Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Stádník Author-Workplace-Name: Czech University of Agriculture, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Selection indexes for bulls of beef cattle Abstract: Three selection indexes were constructed for bulls of beef cattle: IM for terminal crossing (in dairy herds), IZ for the selection of foundation sires for beef herd and IS for the selection of bulls for beef herd. Each index was constructed in five variants that differed in the number of used traits from the most important ones to all traits with known breeding values. The sources of information were breeding values routinely calculated in performance testing - 10 breeding values for direct and maternal effects for easy calving and growth, breeding value for daily gain of bulls at performance-testing stations and 10 breeding values for the type traits of young animals. The reliability of partial breeding values that enter into the indexes ranged from 11% to 36%. Reliability influences subsequent accuracy of index selection for total genotype that is in the range of 30% to 46%. The discounting of economic values (0% or 10%) did not influence the selection indexes significantly. Index selection was expressed almost exclusively in genetic gain of direct effects while maternal effects were of only small importance in the breeding objective. Direct effects for daily gain until weaning and after weaning are of the highest importance in the breeding objective, accounting for 90% to 96% of the total selection effect. The most important information sources in selection indexes are direct effect of weaning weight (importance of approximately 74% to 95%) and maternal effect of weaning weight (importance of approximately 5% to 7%). The inclusion of daily gain of bulls at performance-testing stations with the importance of about 16% in the index decreased the importance of weaning weight. Selection can be aimed at these main traits - calving ease (direct and maternal effect) and weight at 210 days (direct and maternal effect) only because the importance of the other traits in the index is very low. Keywords: beef cattle, bulls, genetic parameters, genetic gain, breeding values, breeding objective, selection indexes Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 285-298 Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/3941-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3941-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200607-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:51:y:2006:i:7:id:3941-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Bouška Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Štípková Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Němec Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: The relationship between linear type traits and stayability of Czech Fleckvieh cows Abstract: The relationship between linear type traits and stayability was analyzed in 34 492 Czech Fleckvieh cows. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between linear type traits and stayability of cows. The observed correlations were r = -0.04 for stature, r = -0.08 for muscularity, r = -0.14 for rump angle, r = -0.03 for rump width, r = -0.01 for rear legs set and r = -0.18 for foot angle. The following correlations were found for udder traits: r = 0.18 for fore udder, r = 0.12 for rear udder, r = 0.16 for central ligament, r = -0.06 for teat placement, r = 0.06 for teat length and r = 0.18 for udder depth. Udder traits can be used for predicting the longevity of cows. Keywords: cattle, stayability, type traits, correlation Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 299-304 Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/3942-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3942-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200607-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:51:y:2006:i:7:id:3942-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Dolejš Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: O. Mašata Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: O. Toufar Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Elimination of dust production from stables for dairy cows Abstract: Three experiments with dairy cows were conducted in an air-conditioned stable under controlled conditions. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the regulated ionic microclimate on the emission of dust particles (aerosol) up to the diameter of 10 μm (PM10). Four dairy cows were housed in common straw-bedded boxes and the stable was equipped with a vacuum ventilation system. To regulate the ionic microclimate, the apparatus Agri 1 000 (maximum voltage 7 kV, current 25 μA) was used. Thus the airborne dust concentration in the stable (42-132 μg/m3) was reduced by 12.7-26.2%. In experiments B and C statistical significance P ≤ 0.05 was reached. The emissive flow from the stable was decreased from 7.41-8.63 mg/h to 5.30-6.55 mg/h per one animal, i.e. by 24.1-31.3%. Owing to ionisation the ratio of n+ to n- ions was changed. A unipolarity coefficient (P) was changed from 1.65-1.93 to 0.82-0.89, i.e. superiority of n- ions. Keywords: dairy cows, housing, air ionisation, dust emission PM10, ion ratio Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 305-310 Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/3943-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3943-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200607-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:51:y:2006:i:7:id:3943-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Skapetas Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: E. Sinapis Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: J. Hatziminaouglou Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: A. Karalazos Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Author-Name: J. Katanos Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Title: Effect of age at slaughter on carcass characteristics and carcass composition in lambs of mountain Greek breeds Abstract: Forty male lambs of the mountain Greek breed were used to evaluate the effect of age at slaughter on carcass characteristics and composition. The slaughter of lambs was carried out at the age of 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days. The slaughter procedure, carcass dissection and carcass composition were realized according to the standard method of CIHEAM-AGRIMED programme. The results of this work showed that the lambs of different age groups did not differ in dressing percentage significantly. The proportion of muscles showed a tendency of increase with the increasing slaughter age but the differences were not significant. The proportion of total fat in carcass increased with the increasing slaughter age from 20.84 to 23.59% for the age group of 30 and 90 days, respectively (P < 0.05). On the contrary, as the age at slaughter increased, the proportion of bones decreased (P < 0.05). Subcutaneous, intermuscular, perinephric and pelvic fats increased with the slaughter age, but only the subcutaneous fat was influenced significantly (P < 0.05). Among the different commercial cuts proportions of long leg, first 5 ribs and shoulder decreased, while those of last 8 ribs-loin and breast-flank increased (P < 0.05). The overall results suggest that the slaughter age of lambs of the mountain Greek breed should be increased from the present ~45 days to more advanced age of 75 or 90 days in order to improve the farmers' profits without serious negative effects on the quality of carcasses or meat of lambs. Keywords: lamb, age at slaughter, carcass characteristics, carcass composition, commercial cuts Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 311-317 Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/3944-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3944-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200607-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:51:y:2006:i:7:id:3944-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V. Pištěková Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Hovorka Author-Workplace-Name: Zoological Garden, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Večerek Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Straková Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Suchý Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The quality comparison of eggs laid by laying hens kept in battery cages and in a deep litter system Abstract: At present the laying hen rearing is transformed into alternative housing systems which include a deep litter system. As for the poultry nutrition, the replacement of animal protein with vegetable protein in poultry feed is applied. Therefore, in an experiment we evaluated the quality of eggs from laying hens in the cage system as compared to the deep litter system with vegetable protein substituted for animal protein in their feed. 72 ISA Brown laying hens were placed into the experiment. 36 laying hens were kept in the deep litter system and 36 laying hens were kept in conventional cages for laying hens. For the period of 9 months, 36 eggs from the group in the deep litter system were examined, always at intervals of five weeks (i.e. 8 × 36 eggs) and so were 36 eggs from the group in the cage system (i.e. 8 × 36 eggs). We found out that in the deep litter system the mean egg weight was higher (P < 0.01), shell weight was lower (P < 0.01), egg albumen was higher (P < 0.01), yolk weight did not differ (P > 0.05), yolk cholesterol was higher (P < 0.01), yolk colour was darker (P < 0.05), shell strength did not differ (P > 0.05), all in comparison with the cage system of laying hen keeping. The results of the experiment show that where vegetable protein was substituted for animal protein in the nutrition of laying hens, there were differences in the quality of eggs from laying hens kept in the deep litter system and eggs from laying hens kept in the cage system. Keywords: laying hen, rearing technology, egg weight, egg albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk cholesterol, yolk colour, shell strength Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 318-325 Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/3945-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3945-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200607-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:51:y:2006:i:7:id:3945-CJAS