Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Bouška Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Štípková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Pytloun Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Pytloun Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Kubešová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Relationships among body condition score, milk yield and sires' breeding value for beef production efficiency in Czech Fleckvieh cattle Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships among cows' body condition score before calving, subsequent BCS changes, milk yield, lactation characteristics and their sires' relative breeding value for net daily gain. Increasing the relative breeding value of net daily gain in the sires was associated with increased BCS in their daughters. The differences ranged between 0.02 and 0.18 points in the particular lactation periods, but they were not statistically significant. The group of cows with the highest BCS before calving showed the highest BCS decrease (-0.25 points) after calving (P < 0.01); the BCS loss lasted for 3 months. The analysis of the relationship between the relative breeding value of sires for net daily gain and milk yield of their daughters showed a negative effect of RBV NG ≤ 89 on the daughters' milk yield (P < 0.05), while the negative differences were up to - 279.12 kg of fat-protein corrected milk. The effect of this trait on the lactation curve was also analyzed. Keywords: body condition score (BCS), relative breeding value (RBV), net daily gain (NG), milk yield, Czech Fleckvieh Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 453-461 Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/339-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/339-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200811-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:11:id:339-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G. Piccione Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Author-Name: S. Casella Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Author-Name: A. Assenza Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Author-Name: F. Fazio Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Author-Name: G. Caola Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Sciences and Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Title: Evaluation of serum homocysteine and oxidative stress during lactation in ewes Abstract: The aim of the present work was to measure and evaluate the effect of the stage of lactation on serum homocysteine and oxidative stress in ewes. For our study ten Comisana ewes, 3 years old, clinically healthy, with the same level of production and during the same milking period were used and antioxidant barrier (Oxy-adsorbent), reactive oxygen species (dROMs), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp) and homocysteine (sHcy) were investigated. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's test, showed statistical differences (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). The statistically significant variations of dROMs, Oxy-adsorbent, SHp and sHcy during the experimental period concerned suggest an increase of oxidative processes at the end of lactation which are indicative of a response to this stress. The systematic analysis of oxidative stress and its influence on homocysteine levels are a valid instrument for the assessment of the health status of an animal and of good management procedures in a period such as lactation in which the homeostatic processes of organisms are altered. Keywords: antioxidant barrier, reactive oxygen species, thiol antioxidant barrier, homocysteine, lactation, sheep Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 462-465 Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/344-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/344-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200811-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:11:id:344-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Lacin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey Author-Name: A. Yildiz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey Author-Name: N. Esenbuga Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey Author-Name: M. Macit Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey Title: Effects of differences in the initial body weight of groups on laying performance and egg quality parameters of Lohmann laying hens Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different body weight groups (light (L) = 1 400-1 500; medium (M) = 1 500-1 600 and heavy (H) = 1 600 < g) on performance and egg quality traits of Lohmann hens, 24 weeks of age, in different laying periods. A total of 288 Lohmann White layers were allocated randomly to three groups with respect to live weight, each consisting of 24 replicated cages as subgroups, comprising four hens. The study period lasting for 60 weeks was investigated as four different age periods (first period = 24-40 weeks; second period = 40-54 weeks; third period = 54-68 weeks; fourth period = 68-84 weeks). Differences in the initial live weight at the beginning of experiment among the groups continued to the end of experimental period. Considering the egg production, differences among the groups were not significant (P > 0.05) during the experimental period. Egg weight was determined to be lower in the group with low body weight (64.58 g) than in medium (64.97 g) and heavy hen groups (66.30 g). Differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratio among the groups were found significant, and the mean values were 123.93, 127.48 and 130.67 for feed consumption (g/day); 2.23, 2.28 and 2.27 for feed conversion ratio. Except for the feed conversion ratio, the effect of weight groups by age period interaction on performance parameters was significant (P < 0.01). The effects of body weight on shell strength, shell thickness and yolk index were not significant during the experimental period. However, different body weight groups significantly affected shape index, yolk colour, albumen index and Haugh unit parameters. Shell strength, yolk colour and yolk index values were affected by weight groups by age period interaction. In conclusion, Lohmann White hens in the light group in a uniform flock had higher egg production and lower feed conversion ratio values than those of other weight groups. Keywords: body weight, laying hen, laying performance, egg quality traits Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 466-471 Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/341-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/341-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200811-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:11:id:341-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z. Zralý Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: B. Písaříková Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Navrátilová Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The effect of humic acid on mercury accumulation in chicken organs and muscle tissues Abstract: Forty female chickens were allocated to four groups of ten birds each. The control group (K) was fed a basal diet without supplementation. The second control group received a basal diet with humic acid (HA) at a dose of 0.5 g per chicken/day. The first experimental group was fed the basal diet with methyl-mercury (MeHg) at a dose of 0.02 mg per chicken/day and the group of chickens MeHg + HA received 0.5 g HA per chicken/day. After slaughter, mercury levels were assessed in liver, kidney, brain and muscle tissue samples. After 10-day treatment of the chickens with MeHg, significantly increased (P < 0.001) Hg concentrations were detected in all examined tissues in comparison with the groups K and HA. The average concentrations in liver, kidneys, brain and muscle tissues were 424, 398, 81.6 and 79.2 µg Hg/kg, respectively. After concurrent treatment with HA and MeHg, Hg concentrations were lower by 20.6%, 23.8%, 23.0% and 18.6% in liver, kidneys, brain and muscle tissues (P < 0.001). Biological accumulation of Hg was 25.5% and 20.4% in MeHg and MeHg + HA groups, respectively. Keywords: methylmercury chloride, liver, kidney, brain, muscle tissue, bioavailability Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 472-478 Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/342-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/342-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200811-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:11:id:342-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Koščo Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Human and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovak Republic Author-Name: P. Manko Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Human and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovak Republic Author-Name: D. Miklisová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Zoology of SAS, Košice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: L. Košuthová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Košice, Slovak Republic Title: Feeding ecology of invasive Perccottus glenii (Perciformes, Odontobutidae) in Slovakia Abstract: Stomach contents of 331 specimens of Perccottus glenii (Perciformes: Odontobutidae) were analysed. Chironomids and ephemeropterans dominated the diet of all size classes of fish; however, the frequency of crustaceans was also high. Micro-crustaceans (ostracods, copepods and cladocerans) dominated in lower size classes (20-39 mm); macro-crustaceans (Isopoda, Amphipoda) dominated in higher size classes (up to 79 mm). The proportion of crustaceans decreased from the size class 80-89 mm. With the increasing size of fish the frequency of molluscs (Gastropoda) increased, the maximum was in size class 70-79 mm. Cannibalism occurred from 60 mm, and it was significant from 80 mm. The highly mobile invertebrates (Coleoptera, Heteroptera) were found in the largest size classes. In middle size classes (40-59 mm), the widest spectrum of prey units was documented; the food variability of small (90 mm) individuals was poor. Differences in the diet composition of small individuals were negligible; the diet of the largest ones differed significantly. According to diet, two feeding size class groups were recognised: the first Keywords: fish, invasion, food, competitions, prey Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 479-486 Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/340-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/340-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200811-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:11:id:340-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V. Dvořáček Author-Workplace-Name: Crop Research Institute in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Kodeš Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Stehno Author-Workplace-Name: Crop Research Institute in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: B. Hučko Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Mudřík Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic Title: Nutritive effect of protein composition and other grain properties of doubled haploid wheat lines with/without translocation 1B/1R in a model feeding test Abstract: The frequent presence of rye translocation 1B/1R in common wheat is well known as well as its unfavourable effect on bread-making quality. These translocated materials make up more than one tenth of all wheat varieties registered in the Czech Republic and due to their lower technological value they are predominately used for livestock feeding in spite of the lack of information about their desirability for monogastric animals. Our study was aimed at a general effect of 1B/1R translocation, including other grain characteristics in model feeding tests with laboratory rats. Triennial evaluation of selected chemical and technological characteristics of winter wheat grain, including feeding characteristics in the model set of 18 DH lines with/without 1B/1R translocation, confirmed a highly significant effect of year on evaluated parameters. Wheat lines with the presence of 1B/1R translocation showed a significantly higher value of relative viscosity, crude protein content and higher proportion of the albumin + globulin fraction. This was manifested negatively in the technological characteristics of the gluten index (GI) and the Zeleny sedimentation test of these wheat lines. Detected values of relative viscosity, grain hardness (PSI) and albumin-globulin fraction were significantly influenced by the genotype of the wheat line. The relationships of evaluated grain characteristics to the results of feeding test were not unequivocal. The presence of 1B/1R translocation significantly decreased the values of balance in these characters: net protein utilization (NPU) and biological value of proteins (BV), however the effect of the 1B/1R translocation on protein efficiency ratio (PER) was not confirmed. Correlation analyses showed low mutual relationships among the parameters of balance and growth tests. A lower but significant positive correlation of the albumin + globulin fraction and a negative correlation of storage proteins with growth parameter PER were also observed. It is possible to summarize that individual relation between albumins + globulins and gluten protein composition of grains influenced the values of PER more significantly than the presence of 1B/1R translocation. Keywords: common wheat, 1B/1R translocation, protein fractions, nutritive value, model feeding test Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 487-498 Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/343-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/343-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200811-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:11:id:343-CJAS