Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Bílek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Knoll Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Stratil Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Svobodová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Horák Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Bechyňová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Van Poucke Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics, Breeding and Ethology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium Author-Name: L.J. Peelman Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics, Breeding and Ethology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium Title: Analysis of mRNA expression of CNN3, DCN, FBN2, POSTN, SPARC and YWHAQ genes in porcine foetal and adult skeletal muscles Abstract: Skeletal muscle growth is determined by the number of prenatally formed fibres and by the degree of their postnatal hypertrophy; i.e. prenatal development may influence the postnatal growth. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify genes more expressed in fetal hind limb muscles of Piétrain pigs (44 days of gestation) compared to the adult biceps femoris. Six potential functional candidate genes (CNN3, DCN, FBN2, POSTN, SPARC and YWHAQ) were selected to verify the SSH results using real-time RT-PCR. Expression levels of the studied genes were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in the fetal muscle compared to the adult muscle. FBN2 and POSTN exhibited the highest mRNA levels (mean relative ratios were 182.7 and 121.6, respectively). The studied genes may play an important role in muscle biology and may be candidates for muscling traits. Keywords: mRNA, fetus, gene expression, real time RT-PCR, skeletal muscle Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 181-186 Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/313-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/313-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200805-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:5:id:313-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: D. Bureš Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Bartoň Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Zahrádková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Teslík Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Fiedlerová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Calving difficulty as related to body weights and measurements of cows and calves in a herd of Gascon breed Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the body weights and measurements of 86 Gascon calves and their dams. The effects of the course of parturition, parity of the dams, sex of the calves, and live- or stillborn calves were analysed. Phenotypic correlations between different measurements and calf birth weight as well as the course of parturition were calculated. Internal pelvic measurements were significantly associated with the occurrence of assisted calvings and stillborn calves. Primiparous cows had a smaller pelvic area, lower live weight, and more frequent difficulty in calving compared to older cows. A higher incidence of difficult calvings was observed in bull-calves due to their higher (P < 0.001) birth weight. High and significant correlation coefficients were determined between the birth weight and body measurements of the calves as well as between the calf birth weight and the course of parturition (r = 0.34; P < 0.01). Negative correlations (r = -0.21 to -0.30) were calculated between the internal pelvic measurements of the cows and the course of parturition score. It was concluded that the internal pelvic measurements of the dam and the size and shape of the calf were the factors influencing the course of parturition in this study to the largest extent. Keywords: beef cattle, course of parturition, pelvic measurements, calving difficulty Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 187-194 Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/312-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/312-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200805-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:5:id:312-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Odehnalová Author-Workplace-Name: Clinic of Swine Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Vinkler Author-Workplace-Name: Clinic of Swine Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Novák Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Nutrition, Husbandry and Hygiene, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Drábek Author-Workplace-Name: Clinic of Swine Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Title: The dynamics of changes in selected parameters in relation to different air temperature in the farrowing house for sows Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of different external air temperature on changes in the air temperature of housing environment in the farrowing house for sows and consequent changes in selected parameters of performance in purebred Landrace sows and gilts. Raw data were analysed for 236 litters. The litters were born from October 2004 to March 2006. Air temperature in the farrowing house was monitored in the sow's living zone and was closely related to changes in external air temperature (P < 0.01). At the optimal internal temperatures for lactating sows (16-22°C) during mild winter the lowest incidence of stillbirths (9.92%) was detected, whereas at high internal temperatures (above 28°C) the incidence of stillbirths was 11.32% (P < 0.01). The lowest average daily weight gain was recorded during mild winter (P < 0.05). Keywords: sows, air temperature, reproductive parameters, average daily weight gain Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 195-203 Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/310-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/310-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200805-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:5:id:310-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Vítek Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Pulkrábek Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Vališ Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. David Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Wolf Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Improvement of accuracy in the estimation of lean meat content in pig carcasses Abstract: Fat thickness including skin and muscle depth measured on the left carcass side between the second and third from the last rib 70 mm off the dorsal midline were measured in a total of 168 pig hybrid carcasses. The lean meat content was then determined on the basis of simplified dissections of the carcasses. Multiple regressions of the measurements of the fat and muscle thickness on the lean meat content obtained by dissections were used to construct the following basic regression formulae for the ultrasound and probe apparatuses: γIS-D-05 = 60.69798 - 0.89211SIS-D-05 + 0.10560MIS-D-05 and γ IS-D-15 = 60.92452 - 0.77248SIS-D-15 + 0.11329MIS-D-15, respectively. To increase the accuracy of the prediction formulae, additional measures were included in the calculation which reduced se by 0.48 to 0.54 percent points. The relationships between the lean meat content and other indicators of carcass value were also assessed. The highest correlation coefficient was determined in the ratio of the fat cover area above the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) to the MLLT area (r = -0.87). On the contrary, the lean meat content demonstrated the lowest correlation with the cold carcass weight (r = -0.25). Major carcass cuts (ham, loin, shoulder, belly with bones) from the carcasses classified in different SEUROP classes were evaluated. Significant differences between the classes were found in the proportions of cuts without fat cover, fat thickness measured at point "P2", and fat thickness measured on the midline plane separating the left and right sides of the carcass. Keywords: pig, dissection, lean meat content, prediction formula, SEUROP, classification Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 204-211 Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/314-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/314-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200805-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:5:id:314-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Straková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Suchý Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Herzig Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Šerman Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: N. Mas Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia Title: The long-term administration of a clinoptilolite-supplemented feed to layers and its effect on performance, haematological parameters and metabolic profile Abstract: 120 selected layers (Bovans Goldline hybrid) aged 19 weeks with an average weight of 1 735 g were divided into two balanced groups: control group (Group C) and experimental (Group E). Layers were reared in three-tier cages with automatic watering, manual feeding, and at controlled light and temperature regimens. One cage accommodated two layers, the floor surface area was 0.1125 m2 per layer. The experiment started after a 20-day adaptation period with layers aged 22 weeks (Week 22) and ended when layers were 68 weeks old (Week 68). In a period of initiation (i.e. Weeks 19-38), layers were fed the complete feeding mixture N1. Then they received the feeding mixture N2 until the end of the experiment. Feeding mixtures in both groups (C and E) had the same composition; the only difference between mixtures was that the feeding mixture in the experimental group was enriched with 1% clinoptilolite (i.e. the commercially available additive ZeoFeed). Layers received feeding mixtures and drinking water ad libitum. In the course of the experimental period, control layers laid 16 289 eggs while experimental layers laid 16 474 eggs. It follows from the results that the laying intensity in experimental layers was 1.7% higher as compared to control layers, i.e. the number of laid eggs in experimental layers increased by 5.6 eggs per layer. The mean weight of all laid eggs was 66.3 ± 6.25 g in the control group and 65.6 ± 5.44 g in the experimental group (P ≤ 0.01). Such performance was achieved at the consumption of feeding mixture being 141.7 g per laid egg in the control group and 137.6 g per laid egg in the experimental group. The consumption of feeding mixture in the experimental group was 4.1 g lower than that in the control group. The mean values of parameters monitored in blood plasma such as uric acid, cholesterol, glucose, lactose, calcium, phosphorus, ALP, and LDH in both groups of layers ranged within reference intervals, with no significant differences being detected between both groups.However, statistically significant differences between both groups were found in total plasma protein (P ≤ 0.01), triacylglycerol levels (P ≤ 0.05), and magnesium (P ≤ 0.01), which were elevated in the control group, and in AST (P ≤ 0.05) whose level in the control group was significantly lower than that in the experimental group. The results of haematological tests performed with layers' blood revealed statistically significant changes in parameters such as the erythrocyte count (P ≤ 0.01), haemoglobin level (P ≤ 0.01), and MCHC (P ≤ 0.05), which were elevated in the experimental group, and in the leukocyte count (P ≤ 0.05), which was lower in the experimental group, as compared with the control. However, the values found varied within physiological ranges. Keywords: ZeoFeed, layers, performance, blood tests Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 212-218 Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/311-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/311-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200805-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:5:id:311-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z.L. Liu Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: D.P. Yang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: P. Chen Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: S.B. Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Guangzhou Feng Xing Dairy Company, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: X.Y. Jiang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: W.S. Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: Guangzhou Feng Xing Dairy Company, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: J.M. Li Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Author-Name: W.X. Dong Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Title: Effect of dietary sources of roasted oilseeds on blood parameters and milk fatty acid composition Abstract: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of supplementing the basal diet with oilseeds on blood parameters and composition of milk fatty acids, especially conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Forty-eight lactating Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a randomized block design. The cows in each group were fed the control basal diet (the control diet) or diets containing roasted soybean (RSB), roasted linseed (RLS), roasted sunflower seed (RSS), hulled roasted peanut (HRP) and roasted cottonseed (RCS), respectively. Milk yield and dry matter intake (DMI) were not significantly different. Milk fat percentage and yield decreased (P < 0.05) in RLS, RSS and RCS diets compared with the control. Feeding various oilseeds had no effect on plasma parameters, but it tended to increase concentrations of trans C18:1 and C18:2 in plasma. In milk fat, the concentrations of short and medium fatty acids decreased while C18 unsaturated fatty acids increased when the cows were fed oilseed diets. Cis-9, trans -11 CLA content increased (P < 0.01) in the milk fat of cows fed oilseeds. RSB treatment produced the highest (P < 0.01) content of cis-9, trans -11 CLA, which was a 60% increase compared with the control. The results indicate that the diets supplemented with oilseeds improve the content of C18 unsaturated fatty acids and CLA in milk fat, and soybeans seem to be the optimal source to improve the nutritive value of milk compared with other oilseeds. Keywords: conjugated linoleic acid, milk fat, lactating dairy cattle, plasma parameters, soybean Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 219-226 Volume: 53 Issue: 5 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/309-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/309-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200805-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:5:id:309-CJAS