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The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a major target for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. a. paratuberculosis) in cattle. Culture examination was achieved in tissue samples obtained from 10 different regions of the GIT (proximal and distal parts of the duodenum, proximal, middle and distal parts of the jejunum, proximal and distal parts of the ileum, the ileocecal valve, the caecum and the rectum) and their adjacent lymph nodes. The culture results were statistically analysed to elucidate the distribution of M. a. paratuberculosis in the GIT. A total of 63 cows older than 24 months were diagnosed with paratuberculosis by faecal and tissue cultures. The better detection rate of M. a. paratuberculosis was found in the mucosae from the jejunum to the ileocecal valve and in the lymph nodes from the jejunum to the caecum. The mean number of colony forming units (CFU) in the mucosae and the lymph nodes of the distal jejunum and the proximal ileum was significantly higher than that in the mucosae of the duodenum, the caecum and the rectum, and in the lymph nodes of the duodenum and the rectum, respectively (p < 0.05). Laparoscopic biopsy attempted out on 4 animals to test its potential use for sample collection from the statistically optimal mesenteric lymph nodes; but resulted in an abortive attempt because these targets were encircled by the intestines, the pressure of which complicated the laparoscopic approach.

Temperatures of the northern wall, ceiling and floor of a 2 × 12 milking house as well as of a waiting area in front of the milking house were measured for 24 hours a day in the winter season with an average external daily temperature of -8.6°C. The influence of low external temperatures on the temperatures of cows' mammary glands was measured with a non-contact thermometer RAYNGER ST 6 equipped with laser. The analysis showed that the low external temperatures and insufficiently warmed external walls [average 24-hour temperatures: (t_st = +1.32°C), ceiling (t_s = +2.65°C), floor (t_p = +3.29°C)] as well as the waiting area in front of the milking house (t_d = +1.9°C) produced unsuitable temperature conditions despite of the use of heaters in the milking house, resulting in the undercooling of mammary glands and the traumatising of dairy cows. The temperatures of mammary glands of tested dairy cows were evaluated by a multifactor analysis of variance. The time and place of measuring were statistically significant on the significance level 0.05. The F -test value for the factor of time was 12.342, with probability 0.0007. The F -test value for the place of temperature measuring was 1061.979, probability 0.0000. Among the equations of curves of the dependences of teat end temperature on the milking time, the closest seemed to be the logarithmic function with determination index R² = 0.7404.

The paper deals with the determination of the rate of damage by deer barking and browsing, the subsequent rot caused by Stereum sanguinolentum and the rate of its progress, elucidates causes of damage and quantifies volume and financial losses in the region of Forest Range Mořkov, Forest District Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. In the most damaged 2^nd age class, decay by Stereum sanguinolentum was recorded in 59% of damaged trees. The progress of rot ranged from 1 to 70 cm/year. The high number of red deer is considered to be the main reason of extensive damage by bark stripping in the Forest Range Mořkov. The actual financial loss caused by depreciation of wood by the rot is greatest in the 5^th age class amounting to CZK 64,320 per ha.

The effect of temperature on the development of the 1^st instar of Periplaneta australasiae (Fabr.) was studied at the four constant temperatures of 21°C, 24°C, 27°C and 30°C in temperature-controlled chambers. Mortality was 50% at 30°C, and 10% at 21°C, 24° and 27°C. Thermal constants were established by plotting linear regression to development rate. The thermal threshold for the development was 17.1°C and the thermal constant for 1^st instar larvae was 147.1 day-degrees. As "safe temperature" (t_s) - the temperature to be maintained in stores or food premises to prevent the development of a pest species - we recommend 16°C.

The influence of various ways of regulation in weed infestation of silage maize stands was studied in 1999-2001. Four variants of stands were compared: 1. without weed eradication (check), 2. mechanically weeded throughout the whole vegetation period, 3. mechanically weeded from the beginning of vegetation till the phase of 5^th leaf and later on without protection, 4. chemical weeding. The yield of dry mass and morphological characters (height of plants, stem diameter, number of ears per plant etc.) show the substantial negative effect of weed infestation upon the studied parameters. The yield from the check variant reached 8.09 t/ha, from the 2^nd variant 13.24 t/ha, from the 3^rd variant 11.46 t/ha and from the 4^th variant 12.34 t/ha. The decrease of mass in individual parts of plants were observed but their percentage portions were not affected by the level of weed infestation. A high dependence ( = 0.01) between the mass of the whole plant and the ear mass (r = 0.98) was proved. The total number of leaves was not affected by the level of treatment. The results show that the mechanical cultivation of stands at the beginning of vegetation cannot prevent the yield depression cost by weed infestation and the studied parameters cannot reach the level of fully weeded variants.

We performed intensive rearing of larvae of the nase Chondrostoma nasus (L.) in a feeding experiment until 21 days from the initiation of exogenous nutrition under laboratory conditions at a temperature 26°C. Two dry starter feeds (a feed for salmonids and a starter feed of the artificial plankton type) differing in the composition of nutrients (50% and 60% of proteins, 12% and 16% of fat, respectively) and natural food (Artemia salina nauplii) were used. Cumulative survival rate, individual weight (w), total length (TL), specific weight growth rate (SWGR), specific length growth rate (SLGR) and condition factor (CF) were assessed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical processing of data. High survival rate 99.3% and the highest (P < 0.01) growth rate of nase larvae (TL = 22.0 mm, w = 69.2 mg) were found when feeding the natural food. The application of dry feed of the artificial plankton type resulted in higher survival (98.8%) and significantly higher (P < 0.01) growth of both length and weight (TL = 17.5 mm, w = 42.5 mg) compared to the nase fed with dry feed for salmonids (survival rate 77.3%, TL = 15.9 mm, w = 24.5 mm). In the course of the experiment the value of Fulton’s coefficient increased from initial 0.57 to 0.79 in fish fed with artificial plankton to 0.65 in fish fed with natural food and to 0.61 if dry feed for salmonids was used. We conclude that with an appropriate starter feed the successful intensive rearing of larval nase can be carried out under controlled conditions.

In the years 1999-2000, I studied damage to transplants in the planting and wildlings in the natural seeding at the locality Zamrlô in the Starohorské vrchy Mts. (750-1,000 m a.s.l., NE exposure, forest type Abieto-Fagetum). Damage to the woody plants by the mammals and birds in the planting was much higher (14%) than in the natural seeding (7%). All woody plant species were also more damaged in the planting (spruce 16%, larch 9%, fir 24%, beech 10%, and sycamore 10%) than in the natural seeding (spruce 7%, larch 6%, fir 10%, beech 7%, and sycamore 9%). There were found 8 mammals that damaged woody plants both in the planting and natural seeding (Apodemus sp., Capreolus capreolus L., Cervus elaphus L., Clethrionomys glareolus SCHREB., Lepus europaeus L., Microtus agrestis L., Microtus arvalis PALL., Sciurus vulgaris L.). Only one bird species was found to damage woody plants in the planting and natural seeding (Tetrao urogallus L.).

Treatment with the water and tropical lemon juice extract powders from acerola fruit purees and leaves (100 mg/kg) significantly ameliorates the hepatic inflammatory responses such as increased serum levels of AST, ALT, and GGT in rats subjected to acute D-galactosamine (GalN) intoxication. The protective effects of their constituents could be related to their antioxidant activities to neutralise free radicals to attenuate hepatic lipid peroxidation and thus can protect liver damage. The effect of the water extract powder from fruit purees (100 mg/kg) was moderately stronger than that of ascorbic acid (10 mg/kg), but weaker than that of cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside (13.3 mg/kg). The water and lemon juice extract powders from Acerola fruit purees possess the 18.6 and 24.1-fold higher DPPH radical scavenging activities, respectively, than those from leaves, the higher so for those extracted with lemon juice than for those extracted with water. The vitamin C contents were much more higher in the extract powders from fruit purees compared with those from leaves. γ-Tocopherol predominated in the extract powders from fruit purees and α-tocopherol in those from leaves. Polyphenolic compounds were identified and analysed by GC/MS-SIM after acid hydrolysis, extraction and derivatisation to trimethylsilyl ethers.

Flax seedlings were decapitated above the cotyledons. After one cotyledon was removed the growth of the bud of the remaining cotyledon was stronger in 90% of the plants. However, the application of the cytokinin benzyladenine (BA) to the bud of the removed cotyledon caused a growth correlative reversal and, by contrast, in 65% of the plants the bud of the removed cotyledon grew out. On the other hand, in sunflower seedlings, which have epigeal cotyledons similar to flax, after the removal of one cotyledon the growth of the axillary of the removed cotyledon was more intensive in 59% of the plants. Not even an application of BA to the remaining cotyledon of sunflower resulted in more intensive growth of the axillary of this cotyledon. When both cotyledons were left on the seedling, BA applied to one of the cotyledons of decapitated flax plants resulted in a highly significant stimulation of growth of the axillary of this cotyledon; in sunflower; however, the effect of the BA was insignificant. After decapitation of the stem of pea seedlings where both cotyledons remained, both axillaries grew out, but after a certain period of time one of them (the dominant one) achieved a growth correlative dominance over the other (inhibited). The present study is focused on whether an application of plant hormones onto the inhibited shoot is able to cause a growth correlative reversal, i.e. to change the inhibited shoot into a dominant one. The application of 0.12% BA can cause such a reversal virtually in all plants if the original difference in the length between the inhibited and dominating axillaries is 12-24 mm. A 0.12-0.5% concentration of gibberellin causes a reversal in 13-75% of the plants, but only if the difference between the dominant and inhibited shoot is 1-12 mm. A 0.03-0.25% concentration of IAA causes a reversal in 34-57% of the plants, if the difference in the length of the axillaries is 1-4 mm.

The aim of the present study was to correlate the milk production and the kinetic variables in milk of cephalothin administered to goats. Twenty healthy creole goats in milk production were used. Cephalothin was administered by intravenous route (20 mg/kg b.w.). Milk samples were collected at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 12.0 hours postadministration of the antibiotic. Cephalothin concentrations were measured in milk samples by high performance liquid chromatography. The values (mean ± standard error) of milk production collected during 24 hours previous to the administration of the antibiotic were 761.5 ± 111.1 ml. The results of the kinetic variables (mean ± standard error) of cephalothin in milk were: AUC = 5.4 ± 1.6 µg/ml/h; C_max= 1.1 ± 0.3 µg/ml and t_max = 1.7 ± 0.1 h. The correlation coefficients AUC-milk production, C_max-milk production and t_max-milk production were: 0.602 (P < 0.01), 0.596 (P < 0.01) and 0.398 (P < 0.1), respectively. In conclusion, the areas under the curve and the maximum concentrations and the time to reach them in milk are in fact related to the volume of milk produced by the goats

We investigated 3 985 individually housed hens of five original laying lines of two breeds RIR and BPR. The proportion of abnormal eggs out of the eggs laid before the age of 240 days ranged between 7.0% and 9.7%, in dependence on the line. The average number of cracked eggs ranged between 2.5% and 4.4%, double-yolk eggs between 2.2% and 3.0% and shell-less eggs between 2.0% and 2.7%. The correlation between the number of eggs laid at the beginning of the laying period and during the period of observation, and the frequency of double-yolk eggs was positive (r_P = 0.00 to r_P = 0.21) and mostly statistically highly significant (P < 0.01). On the other hand, statistically highly significant negative correlations (P < 0.01) were found between the number of eggs laid during the period of observation and the frequency of cracked eggs, where the correlations in the individual lines ranged between r_P = -0.04 and r_P = -0.23. Positive correlations, mostly statistically highly significant (P < 0.01), were found between the number of eggs laid during the period of observation and the frequency of shell-less eggs (r_P = 0.00 to r_P = 0.15). With the increasing weight of eggs the frequency of abnormal eggs also increased, in particular of double-yolk eggs (r_P = 0.08 to r_p= 0.32), for the most part statistically highly significantly (P < 0.01). The correlations between the individual types of abnormal eggs were positive. Statistically highly significant correlations (P < 0.01) were discovered between the frequency of double-yolk eggs and cracked eggs (r_P = -0.02 to r_p= 0.22) on the one hand and, between double-yolk eggs and shell-less eggs (r_P = 0.16 to r_P = 0.24) on the other.

The study is already the 5^th account on the production potential and stability of mixed forest stands in uplands. A spruce/beech stand established in the mid-30s of the 20^thcentury is assessed. The stand is situated at an altitude of 470 m and since 1960, it is left to its spontaneous development. At that time, the stand was characterized as a silviculturally neglected dense spruce young growth to a small pole-stage stand with an admixture of beech (spruce 71%, beech 13%). In the course of 41 years, spruce proportion in the stand without intentional thinning measures decreased from 71 to 56% and, vice versa, beech proportion increased from 13 to 31%. Present dominant and co-dominant position of spruce in the stand, its health condition and development in recent years indicate that the ecosystem under evaluation is stabilized fulfilling all functions on the given site at an age of 65 years. The stand is permanently fully stocked and its initial standing volume of 109 m³/ha at an age of 24 years in 1960 increased to 560 m³/ha at an age of 65 years in 2001.

The health state of firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea, was evaluated in different types of functional urban greenery at locations in Slovakia during 2001 (34 sites) and 2002 (18 sites). The occurrence of scab disease, caused by the fungus Spilocaea pyracanthae, was recorded. The degree of damage to firethorn fruits was evaluated; it ranged from 3.6% to 98.8% (2001) and from 9.1% to 38.5% (2002). Germination of conidia of the fungus ranged between 42 and 50% at 24-25°C after 24 h, and from 49% to 61% after 48 h. The germination of conidia collected on different parts of the plants from July to September was compared. Conidia taken from olive-green spots on fruits in September had the highest germination (53-89%).

Three maize inbred lines (Os86-39, Os89-35 and Os87-24) were grown in pots with Eutric Cambisol using 9 fertilisation variants (control 10 kg/ha Zn - on soil surface; 5 kg/ha - foliar application; 61 kg/ha P; 61 kg/ha P and 10 kg/ha Zn - on soil surface; 61 kg/ha P and 5 kg/ha Zn - foliar application; 183 kg/ha P; 183 kg/ha P and 10 kg/ha Zn - on soil surface; 183 kg/ha P and 5 kg/ha Zn - foliar application). The effects of phosphorus and zinc fertilisation on the dry matter yield, plant height, stalk diameter as well as phosphorus and zinc concentrations in ear-leaves were investigated. Significant differences were found between the lines in all parameters investigated except for phosphorus concentration. Line Os87-24 was characterised by the best results in the total biomass production. Zinc fertilisation decreased while phosphorus fertilisation increased total plant dry matter mass. Phosphorus fertilisation increased its concentration in the ear-leaves. Zinc fertilisation, especially foliar, resulted in Zn concentration increase in the ear-leaf of the lines investigated.

Six Trifolium pratense L. cultivars, five diploid and one tetraploid, were grown in the lowland region (123 m altitude) and the mountain region (650 m altitude). Dry matter (d.m.) and green mass (g.m.) yield, stem height and leaf proportion were assessed from each of the three growing seasons. Chemical composition was assessed from the average samples of all cuts in the second year of the experiment. Greater green mass (54.14 t/ha) and dry matter yield (9.86 t/ha), stem height (0.61 m), crude protein (157.6 g/kg), crude fiber (222.9 g/kg), crude ash (100.68 g/kg) and crude fat (30.09 g/kg) content were observed in the mountain region, compared to the lowland region (45.61 t/ha g.m. 8.92 t/ha d.m. 0.59 stem height, 156.38 g/kg crude protein, 216.6 g/kg crude fiber, 94.85 g/kg crude ash, 24.98 g/kg crude fat). The greater leaf proportion (47.2%) and nitrogen free extract content (420.13 g/kg) were observed in the lowland region compared to the mountain region (42.95% and 402.99 g/kg, respectively). A significant location × cultivar interaction was found for all investigated parameters except for leaf proportion.

Processing of milk for higher value-added products and milk food chain safety require prevention of higher occurrence of microorganisms that can produce spores. It is important to carry out prevention already during raw milk production by farm hygienic measures. The above-mentioned microorganisms can jeopardize the quality and safety of milk foods. This is the reason why the knowledge of factors, interrelationships and possibilities of milk contamination is assumed. The occurrence of hygienically important groups of microorganisms in mixed rough fodder (F) in feeding trough, in excrements (E) and in bulk milk (M) was investigated on seven farms with a good level of milk yield, management and hygienic conditions for three years in summer (S) and winter (W) feeding seasons. The data set was well balanced in terms of other possible farm factors (such as height above sea level, breed of dairy cows and so on). In total 70 samples of each mentioned material were collected. The investigations were focused on counts of thermoresistant bacteria (TRB), total counts of bacilli (TBA), frequency of occurrence of Bacillus cereus (BCE) and Bacillus licheniformis (BLI), and counts of other bacilli (OBA) in all mentioned materials and on the frequency of occurrence of main mastitis pathogens Streptococcus agalactiae (SAG) and Staphylococcus aureus (SAU) in milk. The means of parameters did not exceed the defined standard limits, in particular in raw milk that was suitable for direct human consumption in raw state or for processing for milk products without heat treatment according to relevant EU food legislation. The variabilities of hygienic parameters were relatively high: from 179% (TBA) to 315% (TRB) in F; from 178% (BLI) to 350% (TRB) in E; from 117% (TBA) to 459% (SAG) in M. S increased TRB in F (P > 0.05). Counts of bacilli were well balanced between S and W. S increased BLI in E (P < 0.05), an opposite trend was observed in BCE. The season did not influence SAG and SAU in M. Higher (P ≤ 0.01) counts of BCE were in S, the trend was opposite for BLI (P ≤ 0.05). The season effect on the occurrence of technologically and hygienically difficult microorganisms was not confirmed in general for M, F and E of dairy cows. Regression analysis of the investigated parameters was done. There were significant positive correlations between bacilli and TRB in F as well as in E (correlation coefficients from 0.32 to 0.65; P ≤ 0.01). The relationships between TRB and occurrence of bacilli in M were less close (0.30; P ≤ 0.05) than in F and E. No significant relationships were found between TRB and occurrence of main mastitis pathogens in milk (SAG r = -0.14 and SAU r = 0.11; both P > 0.05). It confirmed the high pasteurization efficiency at liquidation of mentioned pathogens. The relationship SAU × SAG in M was 0.23 (P < 0.05). It suggests a simultaneous effect of dairy cow health state on the occurrence of both pathogens. The majority of significant relationships (from 0.26 to 0.76; from P ≤ 0.05 to P ≤ 0.001) was in F × E within TRB, BLI, OBA and TBA. 7% to 58% of the changes in E were dependent on changes in F. The occurrences

The α-galactosides negatively affect of digestibility of grain legumes. The most effective way of α-galactosides decreasing is germination. The content of α-galactosides in chick-pea was decreased by 4 days germination up to 24% of original value in dry seeds. The 2 days germinated chick-pea seeds were treated by pressure 500 MPa for 10 minutes. The α-galactosides content was decreased by this treatment up to 31% of value before pressurisation and during 21 days storing decreased up to 7% of value before pressurisation.

The efficacy of lidocaine, fentanyl, combination of both (2 mg/kg of lidocaine, along with fentanyl in the dose of 0.005 mg/kg) and saline (as a control) administered epidurally to 40 healthy dogs was under investigation, regarding their influence on minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of halothane. Basic vital parameters, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen and end-tidal partial pressure of CO₂ were recorded. Minimum alveolar concentration of halothane after administration of lidocaine (0.75 ± 0.24%), or the lidocaine/fentanyl combination (0.43 ± 0.08%) was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.05) compare to control group (1.15 ± 0.20%). However, we have not found significant difference in the group given fentanyl alone (0.95 ± 0.35%) compare to control group. Mutual relationship between epidurally given lidocaine and fentanyl (same route of administration) can be called as simply additive. There were no significant deviations in basic parameters within groups. We conclude that epidural administration of combination of these drugs we are able to reduce the dose of general anesthetics, which is important in management of critically ill patients.

An in vitro method was used to determine ruminal degradability of starch (IVRDS) in a set of cereal grains. The set included 9 feed samples, including 2 samples of ground wheat, 2 samples of wheat treated with sodium hydroxide, ground barley, barley treated with sodium hydroxide, 2 samples of ground oats and ground maize. Ruminal degradability of starch was assayed by the feed fermentation for 2, 4, 6, 16 and 24 hours. A significant difference in starch degradability was found between treated and untreated ground samples after 2-hour fermentation (13.73 ± 3.12 vs. 32.77 ± 8.17; P < 0.001), 4-hour fermentation (33.44 ± 7.31 vs. 60.30 ± 16.71; P < 0.001) and 6-hour fermentation (42.63 ± 7.13 vs. 74.20 ± 6.38; P < 0.001). On the basis of the rate of ruminal degradability of starch the order of cereal grains was as follows (from the highest to the lowest value): ground oats, ground wheat, ground barley, ground maize, wheat and barley treated with sodium hydroxide.

Resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis (DC.) E. O. Speer f.sp. tritici Em. Marchal) in Aegilops crassa Boiss., Ae. ventricosa Tausch, Ae. biuncialis Vis., Ae. triuncialis L. and Ae. cylindrica Host was tested at the stage of primary leaves in the years 2000 and 2001. All plants of Ae. ventricosa, Ae. biuncialis and sample No. 9 of Ae. cylindrica repeatedly showed a susceptible reaction after being inoculated by all powdery mildew isolates used. In contrast, plants of Ae. crassa, sample No. 8 of Ae. cylindrica and all samples (No. 13, 21, 22, 24 and 26) of Ae. triuncialis were resistant to all isolates. Samples No. 5, 6, 7, 19 and 23 of Ae. cylindrica contained resistant and susceptible plants in both years. Virulence to these samples ranged from 3% to 18%. Cluster analysis using DNA microsatellite markers showed that the accessions are arranged in groups based on taxonomic relationship but not on basis of resistance. Plants susceptible to powdery mildew at the juvenile stage showed satisfactory adult plant resistance.

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.

The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of nutrition on the urinary excretion of Amadori products, pyrraline and pentosidine in a dietary study involving 18 healthy volunteers. Starting with day two, participants had to avoid Maillard product containing food for a period of 7 days, followed by day nine without dietary restrictions. Samples of 24 h-urine were collected and analysed for free furosine, pyrraline and pentosidine using dedicated chromatographic methods. For all MRPs, a significant decrease in the amount excreted with urine was observed due to the MRP-free diet. Urinary excretion of free pyrraline and fructoselysine, which was calculated from furosine analysis, were lowered about 90% from 3.9 ± 1.4 mg/d to 0.4 ± 0.3 mg/d and 7.2 ± 4.1 mg/d to 0.9 ± 0.2 mg/d, respectively. Urinary excretion of free pentosidine was only in the μg/d range and its decrease added up to 50% from 7.3 ± 3.7 μg/d to 3.4 ± 1.1 μg/d. These results indicate that renal excretion of MRPs is directly affected by dietary intake of those. With respect to the daily intake via heated foods, mainly as proteinbound derivatives, pyrraline seems to be of better bioavailability than the Amadori product and pentosidine. This points to different metabolic pathways. Whereas metabolic transformation of AGEs may quantitatively be of little importance, the major part of ingested Amadori products seems to be degraded in vivo.

Computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis has improved the assessment of sperm morphology, but the results depend on the use of adequate evaluation and staining procedures of spermatozoa from individual species. In this study, the morphological module of the Sperm Class Analyzer®was used for the morphometric analysis of stallion sperm heads and midpieces. Semen samples were obtained from six fertile stallions in order to evaluate the influence of three staining procedures (Diff-Quik, Hemacolor and Harris' Haematoxylin) on the accuracy of image processing and sperm morphometry, and the effect of the sample size on sperm morphometric measurements. Harris' Haematoxylin was the staining technique of choice on the accuracy of the image processing with an optimum contrast of sperm cells with the surrounding background that allows an efficient boundary detection and segmentation which results in the highest proportion of sperm heads and midpieces assessed (80.47%). The results indicate that the staining methods affected significantly the sperm dimensions with increased values from Diff-Quik than Hemacolor and Harris' Haematoxylin respectively (Diff-Quik > Hemacolor > Harris' Haematoxylin). No differences in morphometric parameters were found when 100, 150, 175 or 200 spermatozoa were analysed. In conclusion, to obtain objective and accurate sperm morphometric measurements by the Sperm Class Analyzer® system in the stallion, it's recommended the analysis of 100 spermatozoa from slides which have been previously stained with Harris' Haematoxylin.

The effects on reproduction of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) were investigated in three experiments conducted under controlled conditions, carp pituitary (at the dose of 4 mg/kg body weight) or Ovopel - a preparation that contains a mammalian GnRH analogue D-Ala6,Pro9NEt-mGnRH (1 pellet/kg body weight) and dopamine receptor antagonist metoclopramide (10 mg/kg) being used as ovulation stimulators. The application of Ovopel induced the statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher weight of eggs per kg female body weight and the statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher quality of eggs after 24 h incubation in comparison with the effects of hypophysation. No effect of the experiment on the weight or quality of obtained eggs was determined while the interaction between the experiment and the ovulation stimulator was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) with respect to the percentage of egg fertilization. Statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) correlation was found between the percentage of egg fertilization and that of living embryos, the determined correlation coefficient being higher after the application of Ovopel than after the carp pituitary homogenate.

The paper continues the debate over the nature and the role of social capital in the Czech agriculture. This issue is not marginal because social capital is also emphasized in the Czech SAPARD Plan. The paper develops the thoughts of J. Chloupková and C. Bjřrnskov published in this journal in their paper "Could social capital help Czech agriculture?" (No. 6 in 2002). Differing form mentioned authors, this paper coins dual nature of understanding social capital. This understanding forms the background of the concept of social capital in the works of French sociologist P. Bourdieu. Dual concept of social capital interconnects the most often use of understanding social capital as coined by such authors like R. Putnam or J. Coleman (social capital is understood as supra-personal collective element enabling the co-ordination of activities of free individuals with equal rights thus enabling the effective operation of certain system as a collective entity) with understanding of social capital related to social status of an individual which creates the hierarchies related to power thus enabling an individual to achieve his/her goals. Using empirical data and the case study, the paper outlines the application of dual understanding of social capital in the analysis of some processes in the Czech farming. Dual concept of social capital enables to explain some circumstances, which might be in the case of one-way orientation of understanding social capital presented in rather simplified way (e.g. if and what form of social capital was weak or destroyed in the Czech agriculture and which continues to exist). This fact is documented through the case study of the changes inside large-scale farms and outside these farms (in the field of their external relations). This study documents the presence of both forms (dual concept) of social capital. Similarly, the dual concept of social capital is used in the analysis of social structure of the Czech agriculture. It is done in the comparison with the model of agriculture in European Union and in the projections into the questions of the action of actors in agriculture.

In 1998-2000 the effect of fertilization on the quantity, stratification of root phytomass and yields of dry mass on mesophyte meadow stands was studied. The root dry matter in the soil depth of 0.0-0.25 m was oscillated and the extreme values in individual samplings were found in 1998 (402-702 g/m²). In 1999 and 2000 the oscillating minimum and maximum values of dry root phytomass in all were 418-622 g/m², 423-678 g/m²,respectively. The mean values of dry root mass in unfertilized treatments ranged from 484 to 540 g/m². PK increased the values insubstantially (507-565 g/m²). The higher nitrogen dose (200 kg/ha) decreased predominantly the total quantity of dry root phytomass by 36-102% was found in the control treatments, compared in the yield of dry harvestable above-ground mass. In the systematic P₄₀K₁₀₀ fertilization the root weight in slightly moistenyears (1998 and 2000) was by 18-70% higher in comparison with the dry year 1999 when the root mass was 24% less. In the fertilization 200 kg/ha N(+PK) in the first two years of studies the root phytomass was less by 12% and 38% compared with the yield of the dry meadow fodder. The mean representation of root phytomass in the soil layer 0.0-0.1 m was in 1999-2000 in the control and PK treatments nearly the same, and created 88% from the total quantity. N(+PK) fertilization caused the displacement of the root phytomass towards the surface.

The protective (ENT1) and therapeutic (ENT2) effects of enterocin A (Ent), produced by Enterococcus faecium EK13, against Salmonella enterica serovar Dusseldorf SA31 was determined in a model of gnotobiotic Japanese quails. Twenty-one 3 days old birds were divided into 3 groups of equal size; (ENT1, ENT2 and control group - CG). They were experimentally infected with SA31 (10⁷ cfu/ml) per os. For the group ENT1, Ent A (200 µl of 25 600 AU/ml) was administered 8 h before infection with SA31 strain and for the group ENT2, treatment with Ent A was administered 8 h after infection; CG was infected with SA31 and not treated with Ent A. Sampling of the feces was performed 8, 24, 48 and 168 h after infection. At the end of the experiment also the content of the caecum and ileum was analyzed. A log 1.37 reduction of SA31 colonization in feces of the group ENT1 was found after 8 h in comparison with CG. After 24 h, a significant difference in SA31 colonization was observed when comparing CG and ENT2. After 48 h, a lower colonization of SA31 was found in both groups which continued until the end of the experiment (168 h). At the same time, reduction of Salmonella enterica serovar Dusseldorf was detected in the content of the caecum (2.44 log) and ileum (3.16 log) in ENT2 but not in ENT 1 when compared with control group. These observations indicate stronger therapeutic effect of Ent A than prophylactic one in the digestive tract of gnotobiotic Japanese quails.

To evaluate the forage effects on performance and metabolic parameters, 24 Holsteins were randomly fed one of the diets containing a forage mixture with majority of alfalfa hay (AH), alfalfa silage (AS), or corn silage (CS) during the peripartum period. Milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded daily; body weight (BW) was measured and blood/urine samples were collected on day -21, 1, and 15 relative to parturition. The diets did not affect prepartum and postpartum BW changes and milk production. During the prepartum, DMI for cows fed hay was higher than for cows fed silages. During the postpartum, DMI was the highest for cows fed diet AH, followed by cows fed diets CS and AS. The diets did not affect serum glucose, Ca, P, and K concentrations. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration for cows fed diet CS was lower than for cows fed diet AS. Cows fed diet AH had the highest alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Serum cation-anion difference (SCAD) for cows fed AS was lower than for cows fed CS. Serum Ca concentration was not correlated with SCAD and ALP values, but Ca : P ratio was negatively correlated with serum K concentration. The diets did not influence urine pH and urine cation-anion difference (UCAD) value. Urine Ca concentration and Ca : P ratio for cows fed CS were higher than those for cows fed AS. Urine pH was positively correlated with urine K concentration and UCAD value. In conclusion, the forage type did not affect prepartum performance. Silage, regardless of the kind, was advantageous over hay during the postpartum.

Reaction conditions for evaluation of the photochemical activity of isolated chloroplasts in the Hill reaction of Karwinskia humboldtiana (Roem & Schut) Zucc. and Karwinskia parvifolia Rose species were determined. Hill's reaction activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 630 nm as the amount of DCPIP reduction by the chloroplast suspension at an irradiance of 400 µmol/m²/sPAR. A significant difference was observed between the activity of chloroplasts isolated at 2°C and 25°C amounting to 27% in Karwinskia humboldtiana and 18.5% in K. parvifolia. After 24 hours of storage of chloroplasts at a suspension of 2°C, a significant decrease of chloroplasts activity was noted in both species, e.g. 38% in Karwinskia humboldtiana and 45% in K. parvifolia. The photochemical activity of chloroplasts increased also with the length of irradiation of the reaction mixture and the content of chlorophyll (a + b) in chloroplast suspension. The activity of chloroplasts was found to be significantly higher in the species K. humboldtiana than in K. parvifolia and it proved higher in both when these were grown under field conditions rather than in a greenhouse.