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Yields of winter wheat, winter rape and oats were evaluated in the field; the field was divided into the site-specific zones and treated with variable doses of nitrogen fertilizer in years 2004-2006. Measurements of the yields were carried out with a yield monitor placed in a combine harvester. The measured data were processed into the yield maps by means of ArcGIS 9.2 software. Variable application of fertilizer should balance yield potential of the field. Generally, total yield variability on the field after the application of various doses of experimental fertilizer was similar in the years 2004 (11.3%), 2005 (14.7%) and 2006 (11.7%) in comparison with the year 2003 (25.02%). Variable application of nitrogen in the site-specific zones, created on the basis of the yield levels, decreased the yield variability in comparison with the uniform dose. Different doses of nitrogen fertilizer also enabled to increase utilization of production potential of the experimental field.

The objective of this study was to assess the sperm membrane integrity in extended boar semen during storage time using specific spectrum laboratory methods. Boar semen was diluted with the long-term liquid commercial extenders Androhep (A), Androstar (AS), Androstar plus (AS⁺), LD and M III and was stored up to 96 h. The sperm membrane integrity was evaluated by motility, viable spermatozoa, short hypoosmotic swelling test (sHOST) and by the activity of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Negative changes in the quality of sperm membrane in relation to storage time were observed after 48 h for sHOST, after 72 h for viable spermatozoa and after 72 h for motility. The percentage of viable spermatozoa was decreased by 0.27% each hour. A statistically significant difference between extenders A and LD was observed in sHOST after 72 h and 96 h storage (P < 0.05). The AST activity did not show any statistically significant differences in extenders and in storage time. In overall assessment Androhep was the best of the tested extenders, followed by AS, AS⁺, M III and LD in terms of motility, viable spermatozoa and sHOST. The correlations among laboratory methods were highly significant (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the results documented that the sperm membrane integrity was statistically significantly affected by extenders and storage time (P < 0.001). Boar semen quality was the best in extender A. sHOST is a very sensitive and relatively simple method for the assessment of sperm membrane integrity in diluted semen.

A young adult labrador was presented for evaluation of hind leg weakness, depression, vomiting and severe icterus of skin and mucosa. Physical examination and laboratory findings suggested cerebral babesiosis. Unresponsiveness to treatment and unknown vaccinal status aroused suspicion of rabies which was confirmed post mortem.

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is an important structural and functional component in forests in Northern Iran. In this study we determine the temporal patterns of CWD in Kheyroud Forests by examining the CWD volume in different decay classes and size classes along a chronosequence of secondary forest succession. The volume of CWD followed the general "U-shaped" temporal trend: the highest in the late successional forest (51.25 m³.ha^-1), lowest in the middle successional forest (25.95 m³.ha^-1) and intermediate in the early successional forest (37.05 m³.ha^-1). The late successional forest had a larger amount of logs, snags and stumps than the other two forests. In contrast, the snag volume did not differ between the late and middle successional forest. CWD in decay classes III and V was greater in the late successional forest than that in the other two forests, while CWD in decay classes II and I did not differ among the three successional forests. CWD in class II and I was significantly higher in the early successional forest than that in the middle successional forest. In the early and middle successional forests, CWD in early decay class was dominated by Carpinus betulus L. followed by Fagus orientalis Lipsky. In the late successional forest, CWD in early decay class was dominated by Fagus orientalis while CWD in the late decay class was dominated by Carpinus betulus. While forest succession had a large influence on the amount of CWD in different decay classes, it had no effect on CWD distribution among the different size classes. Our results suggest that both anthropogenic and natural disturbances have had a long-term effect on the distribution of CWD among three forests.

Major and minor compounds in a traditional Mexican spirit, young mezcal from Agave angustifolia Haw. and Agave potatorum Zucc., were characterised using gas chromatography and solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A large variability in both mezcal samples was detected in the content of methanol, higher alcohols, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate. However, their values were below the maximum concentration permitted by the Mexican Standards. The minor compounds identified by mass spectrometry included alcohols, esters, ketones, acids, and furanes. The similarities found between mezcal from Agave angustifolia and Agave potatorum may be due to their processing methods. In addition, mezcals contain unique compounds that can be used as markers to identify the products of different origins.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb), soil texture (sandy, loam and clay) and incubation periods (7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days) on soil respiration (CO₂ evolution) during sugarcane trash decomposition in laboratory conditions of the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India. Surface soils (0-15 cm) were collected from agricultural fields and crop residue of sugarcane trash (Saccharum officinarum L.) was taken in the institute farm. Crop residue (10 t/ha) and heavy metals (10, 50, 100, 1000 μg/g) were mixed and incubated at 30°C ± 2°C in an incubator. The rate of soil respiration (CO₂ evolution) decreased with increasing heavy metals concentration. During the 120 days, the toxicity decreased but still remained significant. Maximum soil respiration was recorded at 7 days of incubation period; further, it decreased with increasing incubation period. The highest drop of soil respiration rate was caused by addition of 1000 μg/g Cd, Cr and Pb levels. Clay soils evolved maximum CO₂ followed by loam and sandy soil.

Soluble lipase (Lipozyme CALB L) was immobilized by covalent bond to chitosan pellets prepared from Aspergillus niger mycelium. This immobilized enzyme was compared with commercial immobilized lipase of the same origin (Novozym 435). Novozym 435 is also lipase CALB L commercially immobilized by sorption on poly-(methyl acrylate). Novozym 435 shows much higher conversion of rendering plant fat in methanol under optimum conditions, having, at the same time, lower optimum temperature and lower stability at higher temperature. Lipozyme CALB L immobilized on chitosan leads to a low conversion, regardless its higher thermal stability. Novozym 435 gives conversion of about 50% of theoretical value, which is in good accordance with basically catalyzed transesterification of rendering plant fat described elsewhere. Lipozyme CALB L immobilized on chitosan gives conversion of about 10% of theoretical value only. The use of Novozym 435 in two-step system (enzyme-acid) seems to be more convenient compared with traditional two-step system (base-acid)

The educational value of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) volume rendering imaging was compared to conventional plain radiographic instruction in a veterinary radiology class. Veterinary radiology is an important subject in veterinary medicine and has been well-recognized as a primary diagnostic method. Many junior and senior students have difficulty interpreting two dimensional radiographs that depict three-dimensional organs. A total of 158 junior veterinary students with knowledge of anatomy, pathology, physiology, and other basic subjects were divided into two groups; Group 1 (n = 45) received conventional radiographic instruction using normal and representative abnormal canine thoracic and abdominal radiographs followed by repetition of the same one week later, while Group 2 (n = 113) received plain radiograph instruction as in Group 1 followed by volume-rendered 3D CT images from the same canine patient one week later. The evaluations were performed at the end of each instruction. In Group 1, the majority did not understand the radiographic signs and no significant improvement was observed. In Group 2, 13% and 20% of the students learned only from radiographs, and understood the thoracic and abdominal radiographic alterations, respectively. After studying the 3D CT images, more than 94% of the students deduced the reasons for the radiographic alterations on the radiographs (P < 0.001). These results strongly suggest that 3D CT imaging is an effective tool for teaching radiographic anatomy to veterinary medical students.

The fine root biomass represents 3,372 kg/ha in the intermediate stage of the beech virgin forest with different admixture of goat willow, where the vast majority of this biomass is located in the uppermost mineral soil layer 0-10 cm. The variability of the fine root biomass calculated from 35 sample points represents approximately 90% of the mean value and reaches the highest value within the humus layer. The total fine root length investigated in 10 cm thick soil layers decreases with increasing soil depth. A significant linear relationship between the fine root length (calculated per 1 cm thick soil layer and 1 m² of stand area) and the soil depth was confirmed, although the correlation is rather weak. The number of root tips decreases with increasing soil depth faster than the root length. As the number of tips per 1 cm of root length remains in the finest diameter class without significant changes, the reason is above all a decreased proportion of the finest root class (diameter up to 0.5 mm) from the total fine root length within the particular soil layer.

The article describes natural, combined and artificial regeneration on 38 permanent research plots in both Czech and Polish part of the Krkonoše Mts. The attention is paid to species composition, spatial (horizontal and vertical) and age structure of forest regeneration according to different stand and site conditions. Concerning the structure and dynamics of forest stands and their regeneration, the potential and prospects of regeneration according to particular developmental stages and stand types (beech stands; mixed stands: spruce-beech, fir-beech, spruce-fir-beech; spruce stands, stands in the ecotone of the upper forest limit and relict pine woods) were evaluated. In many aspects the plots show several similarities, nevertheless the regeneration in different site and stand conditions show clear differences in dynamics of development. The main differences are result of different ecological conditions, environmental limits and biological characteristics of dominant tree species.

The CULTAN (Controlled Uptake Long Term Ammonium Nutrition) system is based on one-time injection of the whole dose of nitrogen required for the vegetation period. The effect of this method on yield and grain quality of winter wheat was observed in a 2-year small-plot trial at 4 different experimental sites in the Czech Republic. The experiment comprised two treatments with the total amount of nitrogen applied during fertilization of 150 kg N/ha. At the CULTAN treatment the whole dose was applied all at once using the GFI 3A injection machine (Maschinen und Antriebstechnik GmbH Güstrow), whereas at the control treatment, the dose was divided into three applications. The average grain yield of winter wheat in 2007 was 9.56 t/ha (control) and 8.78 t/ha (CULTAN); in 2008 it was 9.91 t/ha (control) and 9.63 t/ha (CULTAN). The differences in 2008 were not statistically significant. The contents of nitrogen and gluten were significantly lower at CULTAN treatment in both years. The values of falling number, Zeleny test and bulk density were generally similar at both treatments.

Soil water content under no fertilizer (NF), fertilizer (F) (N:30; P₂O₅: 45 kg/ha), and fertilizer plus pig manure (FO) (N:30; P₂O₅: 45 kg/ha; pig manure 15 000 kg/ha in 2003; and 30 000 kg/ha in 2004 and 2005) treatments was measured using neutron probe instrument for a period three years in a long term field experiment in order to investigate the impact of different fertilization treatments on Haploborolls soil water content. Fertilization had significant effects on the soil water content. FO treatment had greater soil water content in 10 cm depth than F treatment with average 9.9% increase (P < 0.05) but lower than NF treatment; however, in the depth from 30 to 90 cm, there was no water content difference between F and FO treatments. Treatment with organic amendments reduced total soil water content on the long term experiment basis. Across the three years, no fertilizer treatment had total soil water content higher by 1.2% and 3.1% than fertilizer treatment and fertilizer plus pig manure treatment within 10 to 210 cm soil profile in most of the months, respectively.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of organic acids and the prebiotic fructans on egg production and eggshell quality when added to the layer diet with different levels of calcium and phosphorus. The experiment was carried out on 168 Bovans Brown hens, allocated to 14 groups of 12 replications. Each hen (replication) was kept in an individual cage 40 cm × 40 cm in size. A 2 × 7 factorial arrangement, with two dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal - 3.70% Ca, 0.65% P, and reduced - 3.25% Ca, 0.60% P) and with diets supplemented by selected additives (none, 0.75% inulin, 0.75% oligofructose, 0.50% volatile fatty acids (VFA), 0.25% medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), 0.30% VFA + 0.20% MCFA, 0.75% inulin + 0.50% VFA) was used. The experiment was carried out over 34 weeks, from the age of 26 to 70 weeks. There were no statistically confirmed effects of the factors studied in this experiment on egg performance, i.e. laying rate, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion. Reducing the dietary levels of Ca and P significantly decreased eggshell percent, thickness, density and breaking strength. The additives used had a considerable effect on eggshell quality at 46, 58 and 70 weeks of age, and these positive effects were most pronounced in the case of inulin and MCFA. There was no significant interaction between Ca and P dietary levels and the additives used. It was thus concluded that selected feed additives which lower the pH of the diet and intestinal content can beneficially influence eggshell quality in older high-producing laying hens.

The effects of root pruning on the vegetative growth and fruit quality of six-year-old Zhanhuadongzao (Ziziphus jujube Mill.) trees were evaluated. Three root pruning treatments (severe, moderate and light degree) were conducted at the distance of 3, 5 and 7 times trunk diameter from trunk on both inter-row sides of the trees, respectively. The results showed that the severe root pruning decreased the length of primary branch by 27.9% and the number of primary branches by 12.1% in contrast to the control of no root pruning. Compared to the control, both severe and moderate root pruning had no apparent effects on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of leaves after 35 days, but had significant effects after 161 days. Severe root pruning had larger effectiveness of controlling vegetative growth than the moderate one. By root pruning, the contents of vitamin C and total sugar were increased but the content of cypermethrin was decreased in fruits and no effects were found on total acid content of fruit and yield at harvest. In the rhizosphere soil, root pruning decreased the microbial populations and enzymes activities but increased the concentrations of cypermethrin, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is proposed that the removal of root at 3 times trunk diameter distance from trunk was feasible to regulate the vegetative growth and fruit quality of Zhanhuadongzao tree.

A five-year old female brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) was admitted to a veterinary clinic because of anorexia and lethargy. Chronic deterioration of the patient's condition together with the formation of slushy stools coloured from brown to red was observed during the previous eight weeks. Physical examination showed significant apathy and cachexia. Radiographic examinations of chest and abdomen revealed no pathological findings. Initial blood tests revealed decreased hematocrit and low levels of haemoglobin. Despite treatment with enrofloxacin and intensive supportive therapy with amino acids, vitamins and mineral matter, the animal died 14 days after admission to the clinic. Post mortem examination revealed splenomegaly with a total destruction of inner organ structure together with multiple granulomas in liver and lungs. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of tissue samples from liver, lungs and spleen revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli consistent with Mycobacterium spp. Identification of isolates was carried out using PCR restriction analysis (PRA) of the hsp65 gene and DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Two different mycobacterial isolates obtained from separate samples of liver, lungs and spleen were identified as M. chelonae and M. szulgai. This is the first report of mixed infection caused by M. chelonae and M. szulgai in a reptile.

The bark beetle Hylastes cunicularius was studied in the Tatra Mountains, West Carpathians, to clarify its role in transferring phoretic uropodine mites during dispersal in a mountain spruce forest. Emphasis was placed on the proportion of beetles vectoring deutonymphs of uropodine mites, and on assemblage structure, frequency distribution and placement of uropodids on the bark beetle vector. A total of 3,302 adults of H. cunicularius were caught into flight interception traps, of which 529 (16%) vectored a total of 1,020 individuals and four species of uropodine mites: Trichouropoda pecinai Hirschmann & Wisniewski, Trichouropoda obscura (C.L.Koch), Uroobovella vinicolora (Vitzthum), Uroobovella ipidis (Vitzthum). The uropodine mite assemblage was dominated by T. pecinai, which represented 94.6% of the collected mite individuals. T. pecinai and U. vinicolora were documented as new associates of H. cunicularius. Frequency distribution of uropodids on the beetle was L-shaped. The number of vectored mites and the number of dispersing individuals of H. cunicularius were positively correlated.

The occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Escherichia coli in raw food materials, food products, and on food contact surfaces after sanitation was investigated during the period of 2005-2006 in three dairy cattle farms (120 samples), one dairy (124 samples), and two meat processing plants (160 samples). A total of 1409 isolates were identified. The epidemiological characterisation and determination of the virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance were performed on selected isolates. The level of bacterial contamination generally decreased during the production process (the contamination of food products was lower than that of raw material). However, the contamination of food contact surfaces was relatively high even after sanitation. Moreover, specific microbiological profiles were found on the inside equipment surfaces in dairy facilities, where genetically closely related multi-resistant strains persisting in biofilm communities may occur as demonstrated for staphylococci. Although the occurrence of potentially significant pathogens was not high, the microorganisms such as L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and shiga-toxin positive E. coli principally contaminated the meat processing plants. B. cereus isolates, among which 76% were positive for diarrhogenic enterotoxin, typically occurred on the inside equipment surfaces and in the heat-treated products.

Effect of beauvericin on root cell transmembrane electric potential (E_M), electrolyte leakage and respiration of roots were studied in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) with different susceptibility to this toxigenic metabolite produced by Fusarium. Beauvericin treatment induced rapid and significant depolarisation of membrane potentials of the outer cortical cells of maize roots of tolerant cv. Lucia. The range of depolarisation was dose dependent with maximum depolarisation of 55 mV (55 ± 7 mV, n = 7) at 200µM beauvericin. In contrast, membrane potentials of beauvericin susceptible cv. Pavla was only slightly depolarised by identical concentrations of beauvericin and the value of depolarisation represented only half of the value of tolerant cv. Lucia (27 ± 6 mV, n = 8). The values of membrane potentials of root cells of tolerant cv. Lucia were higher (137 ± 9 mV, n = 26) and more electrogenic (60 ± 2 mV, n = 3) than in susceptible cv. Pavla (125 ± 7 mV, n = 28), (47 ± 2 mV, n = 3), respectively. Our results confirmed that 2 h treatment with 50µM beauvericin does not cause irreversible changes in plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase, because fusicoccin, an H⁺-ATPase activator diminished the depolarizing effect of beauvericin on the E_M. Further experiments revealed beauvericin-induced increase of membrane conductivity in root cells of Pavla but not in root cells of Lucia. Time-coarse experiments showed that 25µM beauvericin induced slight, but significant inhibition of root respiration in both cultivars during the first two hours of treatment, and the inhibition was higher in cv. Lucia than in cv. Pavla. The depolarisation of E_M in the outer cortical cells of maize roots may be the result of a cumulative effect of beauvericin on ATP supply, activity of H⁺-ATPase and mainly on the permeability of plasmalemma. Increased beauvericin tolerance in maize might be associated with the increased ability of tolerant plant to maintain normal ion fluxes and membrane potentials across the plasmalemma of root cells in the presence of beauvericin.

Different procedures of treatment of large follicular ovarian cysts in 177 sows using GnRH, hCG and PGF2α are evaluated in this study. Ovarian cysts were diagnosed by transcutaneous ultrasonography, which was a part of routine pregnancy diagnosis. No treatment was performed in the control group (Group 1, n = 29); the method of treatment used in the other groups immediately after the diagnosis was intramuscular administration of lecirelin in doses 50 µg (Group 2, n = 28), 100 µg (Group 3, n = 27) and 200 µg divided into 2 equal doses administered at a 12-hour interval (Group 4, n = 25) and of hCG in doses 1 500 IU (Group 5, n = 23), 3 000 IU (Group 6, n = 21), and 250 µg of cloprostenol (Group 7, n = 24). Insemination rate (IR), conception rate (CR) in inseminated sows, pregnancy rate (PR = recovery rate), treatment-insemination interval (TII) and treatment-pregnancy interval (TPI) within 42 days after the initial examination were evaluated. In addition PR in groups of sows divided according to parity (1-3, 4-6 and ≥ 7) were also evaluated. IR and PR were higher in Group 4 (84.0% and 44.0%) and lower in Group 1 (17.2% and 6.9%) in comparison with the other groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). CR, TII and TPI did not differ between the experimental groups. PR were similar in sows with different parity. The study proved a positive response in sows with large follicular ovarian cysts to the treatment consisting of 2 administrations of 100 µg GnRH at a 12-hour interval.

An experimental stand was established as a monoculture by planting Norway spruce on a clear-felled area in 1925. In 1958, a research thinning experiment was established there. Control plots and the study of their development without anthropic interventions are of interest in particular. The spruce monoculture nearly disintegrated and the stand-forming role was taken over by species which occurred there originally as admixed ones. The stand became sparser and it was associated with the spontaneous regeneration of broadleaves. Out of the eight control plots three plots were selected differing significantly in stocking and extent of natural regeneration. The development of regeneration was studied in detail on these plots. The undergrowth consisted of 24 woody species in a total number of 6,000 individuals per hectare and about two thirds of them belonged to trees. The results of the study show a possibility to convert a spruce monoculture to a broadleaved commercial forest using the spontaneous regeneration of trees.

The introduction of a new crop requires adapted genotypes as well as optimum crop management practices. This study was conducted to determine the optimum crop density of adapted grain amaranth genotypes in the Pannonian region of Eastern Austria. The genotypes Neuer Typ (A. hypochondriacus), Mittlerer Typ (A. hypochondriacus) and Amar (A. cruentus) were established at plant densities of 8, 17 and 35 plants/m² in 2002 and 2003. Average hand-harvested yields ranged from 2200 to 3000 kg/ha without significant genotypic differences. Genotypes differed in thousand seed weight (0.55-1.04 g), time from sowing to harvest (97-130 days), grain water content at harvest (24-38%), microbial infestation of air-dried grain (0.2-118.6 cfu × 10⁶/g), germination (29-79%) and grain composition. Grain contents fell within the following ranges: crude protein 15.2-18.6%, crude fat 5.4-8.6%, crude fibre 3.5-4.2%, ash 2.7-3.2%, and carbohydrates 66.7-72.7%. High grain water contents involved stronger microbial infestation and reduced germination. Crop density affected neither grain yield nor grain quality.

In the years 2005 and 2006 the effect of site conditions, yellow and purple fleshed varieties and mineral fertilization on the content of total polyphenols (TP) in potato tubers was investigated. In both years significantly the highest TP content (by 5.7 to 56.3% higher than in other localities) was determined at the Stachy locality; we ascribe it to apparently lower temperatures in the vegetation period at this locality of higher altitude. In the purple flesh Valfi variety TP content higher by 74 to 141% was recorded in average of both years, in comparison to yellow flesh varieties. In the group of eight yellow flesh varieties the highest TP content was recorded in the Ditta variety; it was higher by 38, 29 and 24% in comparison with Saturna, Agria and Asterix varieties. TP content was not significantly affected by fertilization with mineral fertilizers.

Artificial reproduction with and without hormonal treatment was performed in females of the common gudgeon (Gobio gobio L.) to assess the suitability of this cyprinid species as a fish model for embryo-larval cytotoxic tests. Considering sperm immobilisation tests, the solution for tench was utilizable. The clearing solution designed for the observation of embryonic development in the European catfish was also found suitable for the common gudgeon embryos. The egg and embryonic mortality, embryonic development, hatching and survival rate were examined. Ovulation occurred in 89% of females after the application of the carp pituitary (5 mg/kg) but embryonic mortality reached nearly 100%. The highest embryonic mortality in females with hormonal treatment was observed within 24 hours of development. On the other hand, the reproduction of females without the application of hormonal stimulation was nearly completely successful with mean mortality 60%. The hatching of embryos of females without hormonal stimulation occurred (average values) 71 hours after fertilization and lasted 65 hours. Embryonic development finished within 176 hours. Our pilot study demonstrated that the eggs of common gudgeon were suitable for embryo-larval tests from the 7^th to the 8^th embryonic developmental stage.

Insemination is used less commonly in the population of beef cattle than in dairy cattle. As a consequence, herds are genetically isolated and their comparison is difficult. The objective of the paper was to evaluate the impact of the use of reference sires in insemination on the estimation of breeding value and its reliability by means of stochastic simulation based on a single addition of calves to the basic set. Simulation was divided into three variants according to the connectedness calves through sires (variant 1 - unrelated calves, variant 2 calves related between HYS but unrelated within HYS, variant 3 - calves related within and between HYS). The degree of connectedness was determined by computation of genetic drift variance (GDV). The average value of GDV in the basic set was 0.71. In our study the highest values of GDV were reached in simulated variant 3, in which the relationship increased not only between HYS but also within HYS. The lowest values of GDV were in variant 2, when the relationship increased only between HYS (simulated calves after reference sires did not have any half-sibs in HYS). The single use of reference sires in one generation to make herds connected slightly increased the average coefficient of reliability from 0.121 to 0.145 (by 2.4%) in the whole set. But this increase from 0.24 to 0.33 (by 8.9%) was observed only in animals that were directly connected through reference sires. The increase in reliability was mainly due to an increase in the number of contemporaries. A decrease in the effective number of sires' offspring was an indirect consequence of the increase in the connectedness of the set and higher use of reference sires in insemination. This is the reason why the increase in the connectedness of the set influenced the reliability of breeding value of the whole set less than we would expect. The use of reference sires influenced the fluctuation of breeding values. The use of a higher number of reference sires in insemination with only one offspring in each of the connected herds appeared as the most suitable approach from the aspect of the connectedness of the set and reliability of breeding value estimation. A marked influence of herd connectedness on the estimation of breeding value and its reliability, and on the result of breeding, is to be expected after reference sires have been used in several successive generations.

The effect of osmotic stress on oxidative injury, compatible solutes content and water relations was investigated in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cv. Ankora - drought-sensitive and cv. Nova - drought-tolerant). Relative water content in leaves of both cultivars decreased after drought treatment, leaf water loss of sensitive cv. Ankora was higher than that of cv. Nova. The 24 h water stress induced by 0.3M sorbitol (-1.4 MPa) resulted in a damage of cell membranes. Lipid peroxidation rose in all studied organs of cv. Ankora and electrolyte leakage in roots of cv. Ankora was much higher than in cv. Nova. Similarly, proline content increased significantly in all studied organs of cv. Ankora. Content of soluble sugars increased in all studied organs of both cultivars, but the mesocotyl of cv. Nova accumulated the highest amount of sugars. The electrolyte leakage was the highest in the roots of both cultivars. Osmotic stress had deep influence predominantly on the roots of both cultivars. It is apparent that stress impact on the drought-sensitive cv. Ankora was deeper than on the drought-tolerant cv. Nova.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of row spacing (40, 60 and 80 cm) on forage dry matter (DM) yield and quality of four hybrids grown in the years 2001 and 2002. The highest DM yield was obtained from the Arifiye (24.1 and 22.4 t/ha) while the lowest DM yield was obtained from Pioneer 3163 (19.9 and 19.8 t/ha) in the years 2001 and 2002, respectively. As row spacing increased, DM yield as an average of two years decreased from 27.2 to 16.6 t/ha. No differences were found among row spacing for DM content, harvest index (HI) and ear content. As row spacing increased, whole-plant acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content increased from 214 to 227 g/kg and from 420 to 451 g/kg during the year 2001, respectively. However, ADF content decreased from 281 to 267 g/kg and NDF contents decreased from 530 to 515 g/kg with increasing row spacing during the year 2002. In this study, hybrids showed distinct differences for crude protein, ADF and NDF contents in both years. Forage quality parameter including ADF and NDF of Pioneer 3163, TTM 8119 and Karadeniz Yildizi were higher than Arifiye hybrid.

A wide array of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory substances derived from edible plants have been reported to possess chemopreventive and chemoprotective activities. Among the most extensively investigated and well-defined dietary chemopreventives is curcumin. Using the Ames test and in vivo micronucleus test, chemiluminescence test, blastic transformation test, and comet assay, we examined the antimutagenic effects of the chemically identified chemoprotective substance curcumin (diferuloylmethane) in the pure form on mutagenicity induced by three reference mutagens: aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), 2-amino-3-metylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), and N-nitroso-N-metylurea (MNU), and the effect of curcumin on the immunosuppression caused by these mutagens. Curcumin in the pure form showed a clear antimutagenic and immunomodulatory activities on mutagenicity and immunosuppression induced by reference mutagens.

The acute and chronic toxicity to honeybees, Apis mellifera of water guttation and dew collected from winter rape plants treated with the insecticide Nurelle D^® (a.i. chlorpyriphos + cypermethrin) was investigated. Caged bees were fed on sugar syrup containing water guttation and dew for 24 h (acute toxicity test) and for 10 days (chronic toxicity test). Bee mortality and food consumption were determined daily. A contact toxicity test was performed within 24 h on bees kept in Petri dishes (10 bees per dish) lined with filter paper saturated with the test solution. The acute Nurelle D^® contact and oral toxicity tests showed that the mortality of bees treated with water guttation and dew collected from the treated plants did not exceed 10%. A chronic toxicity test showed that adding contaminated water guttation and dew to the syrup caused an insignificant increase in bee mortality and reduced the syrup consumption significantly. The chlorpyriphos residue found in contaminated water guttation and dew were below the limit of detection (0.8 µg/kg) and the cypermethrin residue was below the detection levels.

ENTERORapid 24 kit (PLIVA-Lachema, Czech Republic) was used for the identification of 321 strains isolated from the respiratory tract of different animal species in the CzechRepublic and Ethiopia. A total of 207 ( 64.5%) strains were identified at the species level within 4 to 8 hours of incubation. In the same way, 39 (12.1%) strains were successfully classified at the genus level. The remaining strains (23.4%) were not identified nor classified to the family Pasteurellaceae. On the other hand, the accuracy of the ENTERORapid 24 kit for the identification of P. multocida and M. haemoyltica was observed using 9 reference strains and the identification results were compaired with the results of the RapiD 20E kit (bioMérieux, France), which required an overall examination time of 4 hours. According to our observation, the ENTERO Rapid 24 kit is the fastest system forthe identification of P. multocida and M. haemolytica strains within 4 to 8 hours with a correct identification rate at thespecies level, with and without additional tests. For these reasons, we propose its modification for rapid identificaton of P. multocida, M. haemolytica and related bacterial species from the family Pasteurellaceae isolated from different animal species.

Proper regulation of uterine contractility, both spontaneous and oxytocin (OT)-amplified, is essential for successful fertilization and maintenance of gestation. Previously, we showed that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), regarded as environmental pollutants, contributed to the increase in contractions of cyclic bovine uterus. In this paper, we hypothesized that phytoestrogens, plant-derived components, counteract the disruptive effects of PCBs. Therefore, we examined the in vitro effect (24-72 h) of coumestrol, daidzein, and genistein (10^-6, 10^-5M each) on spontaneous and OT-stimulated (10^-7M) myometrial strips contractions. Moreover, the effect (48 h) of coumestrol (10^-6M) or daidzein (10^-5M), jointly with PCBs (77, 100 ng/ml; 126, 153, 10 ng/ml), on myometrial contractions was registered. The myometrium was the most relaxed (P < 0.05) when treated with coumestrol, while the force of myometrial spontaneous contractions increased the most (P < 0.05) when treated with daidzein. Daidzein (10^-5M) also effectively increased the OT-stimulated force of contractions (P < 0.01). All phytoestrogens used affected the frequency and amplitude of myometrial contractions, though less markedly. Furthermore, coumestrol or daidzein reduced (P < 0.05) the spontaneous and OT-stimulated force of myometrial contractions, evoked by PCBs. Data suggest the effect of PCBs on myometrial contractility can be markedly reduced by some phytoestrogens.