David Zapletal
@vfu.cz
Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology/ Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Vlastimil Šimek, Josef Kameník, and František Ježek
Copernicus GmbH
Abstract. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of the wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) meal on growth performance, carcass composition, physico-chemical traits and amino acid profile in meats of fattened broilers. In a completely randomised block design, a total of 288 female broilers that were 21 d old (Ross 308) were divided into four dietary groups and fed for 3 weeks: the control basal broiler diet (C), without any anticoccidial or wormwood herb (WH) supplementation, and the C diet plus 10 g (WW1 group), 50 g (WW5 group) or 100 g (WW10 group) of WH meal supplementation per kilogram of basal diet. At the end of the experiment (day 42), broilers were randomly selected for carcass composition and meat quality trait evaluation. In conclusion, the final live weight of chickens was not affected by diets with higher WH levels (P>0.05). For the entire experimental period, the feed conversion ratio raised with an increasing WH level in diets, showing the highest value in chickens of the WW10 group (P<0.01). Dietary supplementation with wormwood (WW) had no negative effects on the carcass composition or on the chemical and physical traits of meat quality assessed. By contrast, it can be assumed that WH dietary supplementation influenced, predominantly, proteosynthesis of chickens, resulting in alteration of amino acid profiles in meats, where especially increasing aspartic acid and valine contents (P<0.001) in the leg meat were found. Our findings indicate that the supplementation of 5 % WH to the diet showed favourable results for chicken performance. However, it is necessary to conduct further studies dealing with WH dietary effects on metabolism and heath control in chickens.
Robert Gál, David Zapletal, Petra Jakešová, and Eva Straková
MDPI AG
The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the sire genotype, sex and carcass part on the composition of the meat of rabbits, which were fattened under conditions where no synthetic drugs were used. As for carcass parts, the higher content of both total amino acids (AA) and all essential AA (EAA) monitored was found in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle as compared to hind leg meat (p ˂ 0.001). Significant effects of the rabbit sire genotype and the genotype x sex interaction on proportions of some AA in meat were found (p ˂ 0.001). Crossbreeding of the Mecklenburger Schecke (MS) sires with a commercial dam line of HYLA rabbits resulted in a lower proportion of the total AA and all EAA monitored in meats of MS sired males as compared to MS sired females and HYLA rabbits (p ˂ 0.05). The sex-related effect on AA profile was not so noticeable in final commercial crossbreds of HYLA rabbits when compared to MS sired progeny. These findings point to a possible risk of alterations in the nutritional quality of meat proteins when using different rabbit sire genotypes than those originally intended for the specific commercial crossbreeding scheme. However, on the contrary, higher contents of magnesium (p ˂ 0.05), manganese (p ˂ 0.001) and zinc (p ˂ 0.05) were found in meats of MS sired progeny as compared to HYLA rabbits.
Lenka Kudělková
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of common mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris ) herb on selected growth and health traits of young dwarf rabbits. The mugwort species represent regular botanical species with proven favourable effects on health state of many animal species. However, a dietary effect of Artemisia vulgaris (AV) on health of dwarf rabbit genepool has not been studied yet. The study was performed on a total of 12 kits of the Dwarf Lop breed. These kits were divided into 2 groups (control, C; experimental, E). From the age of 21 days up to the age of 112 days the kits in the experimental group received a complete diet specifically designed for the dwarf rabbits with 10% supplementation of the AV meal. There was found no significant adverse effect on live weight and average daily weight gain in rabbits of the E group. Concerning the anticoccidial effect, the 112-day-old rabbits fed the E diet showed a significantly lower ( P <0.05) number of excreted oocysts (1766 OPG) as compared to those in the C group (6845 OPG). Based on the results of the present study, there can be suggested that 10% dietary inclusion of the AV meal represents a safe share and it showed a positive effect on the excreted coccidiosis count in dwarf rabbits. However, it would be suitable to perform further studies, when the optimization of a mugwort dietary level during specific life periods of dwarf kits and the selection of other Artemisia botanical species will take a place. In addition, monitoring of more growth traits and biological effects of particular substances contained in Artemisia sp. would be studied on dwarf pet rabbits as wel.
David Zapletal
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Generally, growth of an animal is affected by complex mechanisms, acting in para-, endoand autocrine ways (Migdal et al., 2019) and growth as such is considerably important in rabbit meat production (Blasco et al., 2018). Growth of the new-born rabbit kits depends on the amount of suckled milk, while mainly for a small kit it is important to suck milk immediately after its birth (Szendrö et al., 2019). Rödel et al. (2008) observed that small kits consume a lower amount of milk and the differences in milk intake between the smaller and larger kits increased between days 3 to 7 post partum. To achieve good viability of rabbit kits, it is important for new-born kits to display an adequate birth weight compared to their littermates. In this case the kits should occupy a proper warm site in the middle of nest to maintain required body temperature (Bautista et al., 2008) and then consume sufficient amount of milk during a short nursing time; these aspects influence considerably their future growth. Moreover, rabbit kits with a higher birth weight display a higher live weight (LW) later on (ReyesMeza et al., 2011; Szendrö et al., 2019).
D Zapletal, L Kudelkova, P Jakesova, V Simek, E Strakova, and P Suchy
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the partial or complete dietary replacement of crude protein (CP) from soybean meal (SBM) with CP from the meal of whole (trial 1) or dehulled (trial 2) white lupine (WL) seeds on the blood plasma biochemical indicators in broilers. Chickens of the control (C) group were fed diets containing the SBM as the main protein source in the feed. It results from the findings that the complete and also partial replacement of CP from the SBM by CP from the meal of whole WL seeds in diets led to a decrease in the plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerides (TAG) levels (P &lt; 0.001). Concerning the dietary administration of dehulled WL seeds, only the complete replacement of CP resulted in a decrease in the plasma glucose and TAG levels in 35-day-old broilers (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, when including the dehulled WL seeds into the diet, an increase in the plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity was found in both the E1 and E2 groups (P &lt; 0.01). Based on the results found, it can be stated that the use of meal from whole WL seeds seems to be a promising protein feed component which has beneficial effects on the health of broilers.
David Zapletal, Petra Jakešová, Eliška Žáková, Vlastimil Šimek, and Eva Straková
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of crossing Mecklenburger Schecke (MS) males with the maternal commercial line of HYLA rabbits on the growth performance, mortality and body and carcass components of fattened rabbits under intensive farming conditions. The control (C) group consisted of albino crossbred rabbits of the HYLA combination AB sires × CD dams. The tested (T) group (MS sires × HYLA CD dams) consisted of rabbit crosses between the MS sires and the same dam line as in the C group. Rabbits of both groups were raised and fattened under identical nutritional and management conditions. The crossing of MS males with the maternal line of HYLA rabbits led to the acceptable growth performance of rabbits in the T group. The higher slaughter weight of rabbits in the T group as compared to rabbits in the C group (P &lt; 0.01) as associated with the higher weight of hot carcass and higher proportions of fore and intermediate parts of carcass (P &lt; 0.01). On the contrary, HYLA rabbits had a higher proportion of the hind part of carcass (P &lt; 0.001); yields of hind leg meat and musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum were not influenced by the genotype. However, since higher mortality was found in rabbits of the T group during fattening, it is not possible to recommend the MS breed as a common sire line used under conditions of intensive farming at this moment. Regarding the rabbit sex, slaughtered females showed a higher proportion of liver and a lower dressing percentage associated with the worse carcass compactness compared to males.
Vlastimil Šimek
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Article Details: Received: 2019-09-03 | Accepted: 2019-10-14 | Available online: 2019-12-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2019.22.04.138-143 The aim of the study was to determine the growth characteristics of three rabbit breeds (Czech Solver, CSo, n = 11; Czech Spotted, CS, n = 28; Blanc de Hotot, BH, n = 24) under small-scaled stock conditions as a basis for their potential meat performance. The body morphometric characteristics live weight (LW), head length (HL), body length (BL), ear length, thoracic circumference (TC) and body compact index TC/BL were recorded in growing rabbits from 21st to 91st day of their age. At the end of the trial, the highest LW value was recorded in the BH breed (2,700.0 g) as compared to the CSo and CS breeds, respectively (1,887.5 and 1,545.4 g). The values of the HL were significantly affected by a rabbit breed up to the 63rd day of their age (P <0.01). The highest values of BL and TC were found in the BH breed as compared to the CSo breed and also the CS breed (P <0.01). The BH breed showed also the longest ears (P <0.01) while the different dynamics of the ear growth among the evaluated breeds was found. Concerning the body compact index TC/BL, the growing rabbits of the BH breed showed wider body given by their musculature proportion as compared to the representatives of the CSo and CS breeds (P <0.01). Our findings suggest that the Blanc de Hotot breed possesses suitable growth and morphometric characteristics for intended meat production. References BLASCO, A. and OUHAYOUN, J. (1993) Harmonization of criteria and terminology in rabbit meat research. Revised proposal. In World Rabbit Science, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 93–99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.1996.278 DALLE ZOTTE, A., RICCI, R., SARTORI, A., LUKEFAHR, S. and PACI, G. (2013) Body morphometric development during growth and maturity of colored dwarf rabbits available in the Italian market. In World Rabbit Science, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 227– 233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2013.1386 EUROPEAN UNION (2017) Overview Report: Commercial Rabbit Farming in the European Union. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. 16 s. DOI: 10.2772/62174. FIK, M., ANDREJI, J., HRNCAR, C., ARPASOVA, H. and NEIRUREROVA, P. (2018) Reproduction performances, growth and slaughter traits analysis of rabbit of Nitra breed. In Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 162–165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2018.21.04.162-165 GONDRET, F., JUIN, H., MOUROT, J. and BONNEAU, M. (1998) Effect of age at slaughter on chemical traits and sensory quality of Longissimus lumborum muscle in the rabbit. In Meat Science, vol. 48, no. 1–2, pp. 181–187. 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(2011) Heterosis, direct and maternal additive effects on rabbit growth and carcass traits from a Canadian experiment. In World Rabbit Science, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 31–41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2011.783a QUENEY, G., VACHOT. A.-M., BRUN, J.-M., DENNEBOUY, N., MULSANT, P. and MONNEROT, M. (2002) Different levels of human intervention in domestic rabbits: Effects on genetic diversity. In Journal of Heredity, vol. 93, no. 3, pp. 205–209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/93.3.205 TŮMOVA, E., MARTINEC, M. and CHODOVA, D. (2011) Analysis of Czech rabbit genetic resources. In Scientia Agriculturae bohemica, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 113–118. TŮMOVA, E., BIZKOVA, Z., SKŘIVANOVA, V., CHODOVA, D., MARTINEC, M. and VOLEK, Z. (2014) Comparison of carcass and meat quality among rabbit breeds of different size and hybrid rabbits. In Livestock Science, vol. 165, pp. 8.14. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2014.04.019 STATSOFT Inc. (2011) STATISTICA Data analysis software system, version 10. StatSoft Inc., Tulsa. SWEET, H., PEARSON, A.J., WATSON, P.J. and GERMAN, A.J. (2013) A novel zoometric index for assessing body composition in adult rabbits. In Veterinary Record, vol. 173, no. 15, pp. 369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.101771 SZENDRŐ, K., METZGER S., OEDRMATT, M., RADNAI, I., GARAI, E., HORN, P. and SZENDRŐ, Zs. (2012) Effect of age and weight of rabbits at slaughter on carcass value. In Acta agriculturae Slovenica, suppl. 3, pp. 333–337. WANG, J., SU, Y., ELZO, M.A., JIA, X., CHEN, S. and LAI, S. (2016) Comparison of carcass and meat quality traits among three rabbit breeds. In Korean Journal of Food Science of Animal Resources, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 84–89. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5851/kosfa.2016.36.1.84 WHITMAN, B.D. (2004) Domestic rabbits and their histories: Breeds of the World. Leawood: Leathers Publishing, 456 pp. ZITA, L., TŮMOVA, E. and BIZKOVA, Z (2010) Genetic resources of rabbits in the Czech Republic. In Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica – mimoriadne cislo, pp. 34–36 (In Czech). ZADINA, J. (2003) Rabbit breed standard. Praha: Czech Association of Breeders. 371 pp. (in Czech)
P. Dvořák, J. Doležalová, P. Suchý, E. Straková, D. Zapletal, and V. Rulík
Elsevier BV
ABSTRACT In our experiment, we deal with the phenomenon of radiation hormesis and improvements based on this phenomenon to different growing characteristics of the fast‐growing, very feed‐efficient, and with a high‐yielding carcass hybrid of the Peking duck (Cherry Valley SM3 medium). In the first phase of the project, we exposed hatching duck eggs to low and middle doses of gamma radiation 60Co (0.06‐2.00 Gy) before placing them into a setter in the hatchery. We then followed the standards of artificial incubation. The treatment of our chosen doses of gamma radiation has no significant influence on the history and results of hatching (from 85.5% to 92.6%); it was influenced only by the basic management and husbandry of the parent stock. From our observations we confirm that the Peking duck, despite genetic progress, retained its vitality and robustness. Its embryos are not damaged even with a dose of 2 Gy, which is over the deterministic effect of ionizing radiation for vertebrates. At the end of the fatting period a significant drop in plasma phosphorus levels was measured in the ducks; however, it was dependent on the radiation dose to which the hatching eggs were exposed (r = ‐0.965). A positive effect of radiation hormesis may be expected in the case of 1 Gy dose where the highest values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, combined hemoglobin, and drake weight were measured. Lower and higher doses of ionizing radiation used did not display these effects.
D. Zapletal, M. Macháček, P. Suchý, E. Straková, and F. Vitula
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT 1. The aim of this study was to investigate if male-to-female aggression of common pheasants in the course of the breeding season was related to the concentration of plasma testosterone and/or other biochemical plasma indicators in male pheasants housed in breeding cages. The influence of season on the concentration of testosterone and biochemical indicators was also investigated. 2. Males were divided into non-aggressive and aggressive groups during the breeding season based on ethological evaluation. At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the breeding season, a blood sample was taken from all males on the same day and the concentration of selected biochemical indicators and the total circulating testosterone in the plasma were determined. 3. Male-to-female aggression during the breeding season of pheasants was not influenced by the total plasma testosterone of males. 4. The concentration of total plasma testosterone in males decreased gradually during the breeding season. 5. Male-to-female aggression of pheasants did not have a significant effect on any of the assessed biochemical indicators. 6. The influence of the breeding season affected the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as the concentrations of glucose, magnesium, potassium and chloride in the blood plasma of cage-housed male pheasants.
M. Jerabek, P. Suchy, E. Strakova, L. Kudelkova, V. Simek, P. Jakesova, M. Machacek, and D. Zapletal
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The aim of the present study was to assess dietary and sex-related effects on selected blood indicators of 40-day-old mallard ducks undergoing fattening. The ducks were divided into three dietary groups (control, L50 and L100). The control (C) group was fed a diet containing soybean meal as the main protein component of the feed. In both experimental groups L50 and L100 soybean meal was replaced with meal of whole seeds of white lupine, Zulika variety, in proportions of 50 and 100%, respectively. With respect to the assessed dietary effect, the serum of the L50 group showed a significantly higher albumin concentration as compared to the C group (P &lt; 0.05) accompanied by a significantly lower proportion of γ-globulins in the L50 group as compared to the L100 group (P &lt; 0.01). As for the blood plasma, the C group showed a significantly higher concentration of total cholesterol as compared to the L100 group (P &lt; 0.05) and a highly significant increase in the triacylglyceride (TAG) level as compared to the L50 and L100 groups (P &lt; 0.01). Concerning plasma mineral indicators, ducks of the C group showed a significantly higher calcium concentration (P &lt; 0.05) in comparison to the L100 group and a lower phosphorus concentration (P &lt; 0.01) in comparison to the L50 as well as L100 group. Further, the C group showed a significantly lower level of potassium (K) as compared to the L50 group (P &lt; 0.05) as well as the L100 group (P &lt; 0.01). The sex of the ducks significantly (P &lt; 0.05) affected the proportion of α-globulins in serum and the magnesium level in the plasma and affected the plasma levels of TAG and K and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (P &lt; 0.01).
V. Simek, L. Kudelkova, E. Strakova, P. Suchy, and D. Zapletal
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of whole seeds of white lupine and different binder types in complete pelleted diets on selected haematological and plasma biochemical indicators of growing dwarf rabbits. The individual litters of Dwarf Lop rabbit kits were randomised after birth into control (n = 12) and experimental (E) groups. The young rabbits of the E group (n = 24) received an experimental pre-weaning diet containing a 25% share of white lupine seeds. At the time of weaning, the live weights of eight-week-old rabbits in the control group and E group were 727 g and 743 g, respectively. The weaned rabbits of the E group were further equally divided into two post-weaning experimental dietary groups (M = 12; G = 12); these diets contained a 20% share of white lupine seeds each and their composition only differed in the type of the binder (molasses or glycerol component). The rabbits of the control group received a commercial pet rabbit diet with no white lupine seeds during the entire experimental period. At the age of eight weeks, the diet showed a significant effect on the level of albumin (P &lt; 0.05), A/G ratio (P &lt; 0.05) and ALP activity (P &lt; 0.01) in plasma of dwarf rabbit kits. Significant effects of diet were found in 15-week old rabbits in relation to the plasma level of albumin (P &lt; 0.05), Ca (P &lt; 0.05), A/G ratio (P &lt; 0.05) and ALT activity (P &lt; 0.01). The dietary inclusion of white lupine seeds resulted in beneficial health effects on certain blood indicators of rabbits, and their use in the proportion of 25% in the pre-weaning diet and 20% in the post-weaning diet can be recommended as a suitable feed additive for dwarf rabbits. The use of crude glycerol as binder in the experimental diet had no adverse effect on the blood indicators of the growing rabbits and thus it can be recommended for the manufacture of feed pellets intended for dwarf rabbits.
David Zapletal, Lenka Kudělková, Vlastimil Šimek, Petra Jakešová, Miroslav Macháček, Eva Straková, and Pavel Suchý
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The objective of our study was to assess the effect of replacing soybean meal with the meal from whole white lupin seeds (Lupinus albus) of the Zulika variety in diets on selected haematological indicators in 40-day-old fattened hybrid mallard ducks. A total of 180 Cherry Valley ducks were divided into three groups (E1, E2, and control). The control group was fed a diet containing soybean meal. Soybean meal replaced with 50% and 100% meal of white lupin seeds were used in group E1 and group E2, respectively. At the end of the fattening, 12 ducks (6 males and 6 females) were randomly selected from each group for a haematological examination. From the result of this study, it is clear that the effect of the diet was found only on the slightly varying number of white blood cells and on the proportion of monocytes. Ducks of group E2 showed a slight increase in the total number of leukocytes which was accompanied by a decrease in the percentage share of monocytes (P< 0.05). Based on the results, it can be claimed that the replacement of soybean meal with meal from the Zulika variety of whole white lupin seeds in the diet did not have a negative effect on the determined blood indicators. Therefore, whole white lupin seeds were successfully used as the important protein component of the diet for fattening hybrid mallard ducks.
V. Šimek, D. Zapletal, E. Straková, A. Pavlík, and P. Suchý
Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
<p>The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of breed on haematological and biochemical indicators in 3 dwarf rabbit breeds. In the experiment, 30 sexually intact dwarf rabbit females aged 6 mo were used. With the sole exception of white blood cells and haematocrit value, breed had the most significant effect on the majority of haematological indicators monitored. The red blood cell count was higher in the Dwarf Lop compared to the Netherland Dwarf (+1.91×10<sup>12</sup> cells/L; P&lt;0.05) and also the Teddy Dwarf (+1.32×10<sup>12</sup> cells/L; P&lt;0.05). For haemoglobin concentration, a higher value was found in the Netherland Dwarf than in the Teddy Dwarf (+39.29 g/L; P&lt;0.05) and the Dwarf Lop (+26.36 g/L; P&lt;0.05). For erythrocytic indicators, the highest values of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were found in the Netherland Dwarf. The breed had a significant effect on the urea and potassium values. A higher value of urea was recorded in the Dwarf Lop compared to the Teddy Dwarf (+1.56 mmol/L; P&lt;0.05). For potassium, a higher value was found in the Netherland Dwarf compared to the Teddy Dwarf (+0.85 mmol/L; P&lt;0.05). In addition, a significantly positive correlation (P&lt;0.05) was found between the live weight of dwarf females and values of haematocrit (0.49), albumin (0.54), alanine aminotransferase (0.51), and aspartate aminotransferase (0.41), while a significantly negative correlation (P&lt;0.05) was found between their live weight and values of triacylglycerols (–0.44), alkaline phosphatase (–0.38) and inorganic phosphorus (–0.52). </p>
D. Zapletal, K. Karásková, and E. Straková
CSIRO Publishing
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of selection of common pheasants for a higher 7-week bodyweight (BW) over three generations on growth performance and composition of body and carcass under intensive rearing. A total of 160 chicks of the selected (S) and the control (C) lines (n = 80, respectively), were used in the experiment. At the end of the experiment (100 days), pheasants of the S line achieved an increase of 9.2% in the average BW compared with those of the C line. The feed conversion ratio over the 100-day period was 5.92 and 5.51 g/g in the S and C lines, respectively. After slaughter, pheasants of the S line showed significantly higher weights of the carcass, legs, skinless legs, neck, heart and liver than those of the C line. The direct positive selection for the 7-week BW in pheasants resulted in significant decreases in carcass dressing-out percentages and the proportion of breast muscle, legs, skinless legs and leg muscles to pre-slaughter BW; only a relative proportion of the heart was higher in the S line than that in the C line (P < 0.01).
D Zapletal, E Straková, P Novák, and P Suchý
SAGE Publications
The objective of this study was to investigate whether melamine (MEL) is biotransformed into cyanuric acid (CYA) in male broiler chickens. The effects of the dietary addition of MEL and CYA alone and in combination on the growth performance and mortality of the chickens were also investigated. The chickens were divided into six experimental groups and were fed diets with an addition of 50 or 100 mg/kg MEL or 50 or 100 mg/kg CYA of diet, with the contaminants added separately or in combination. The control group was fed a diet without MEL or CYA. At the end of the experiment (day 40), samples of liver, kidney and breast and thigh muscles were collected from 12 birds per treatment group and were analysed for the presence of MEL and CYA. This study showed that MEL is biotransformed into CYA in broilers. Higher concentrations of MEL or CYA in the diet increased the presence of their residues in tissues, and the CYA residue concentration was several times higher in the respective tissues than the MEL residue concentration. The dietary addition of MEL and CYA did not affect the mortality rate, feed conversion ratio or body weight of the chickens.
E. Straková, K. Karásková, D. Zapletal, and P. Suchý
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
The effect of melamine and cyanuric acid contaminated diets on basic haematological and biochemical blood indicators in male broiler chickens (Ross 308) was studied. The chickens were divided into 6&nbsp;experimental groups (30 birds per group) and fed diets with an addition of 50 or 100 mg of melamine or 50 or 100 mg of cyanuric acid per kg of feed, with the contaminants added separately (either melamine or cyanuric acid) or in combination (melamine + cyanuric acid). The control group (C) was fed a diet without melamine or cyanuric acid. At the end of the experiment (day 40), 8 birds per treatment group were randomly selected for haematological and biochemical examination of blood. Red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean cell volume, and total leukocyte count did not differ significantly among the respective groups of broiler chickens (P &gt; 0.05). The concentrations of melamine and cyanuric acid used in the contaminated diet for broiler chickens led to highly significant changes in the content of total protein (TP), glucose (Glu), Ca, P, Na, and K (P &lt; 0.01) and to significant changes in the content of Mg (P &lt; 0.05) in their blood plasma. In comparison to the C&nbsp;group, the decrease in the content of TP, Glu, Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg in blood plasma was most pronounced in broilers fed the diets contaminated with cyanuric acid only or diets with the simultaneous contamination with melamine and cyanuric acid. On the basis of our results, it can be concluded that the contamination of feed with melamine and cyanuric acid, separately or in combination, results in impaired renal function and probably also in partial liver damage. &nbsp;
P. Suchý, P. Novák, D. Zapletal, and E. Straková
Informa UK Limited
Abstract 1. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of melamine-contaminated feed (100 mg/kg) on the distribution of melamine and cyanuric acid in the tissues of laying hens. The effect of a 5-week melamine administration in feed on the egg quality and blood variables of layers was also investigated. 2. A total of twenty 36-week-old ISA Brown layers were used in the experiment. The layers were equally divided into an experimental melamine group (n = 10) and a control group without melamine (n = 10). At the end of the experiment, samples of liver, kidney, breast and thigh muscles were collected from all hens and analysed for the presence of melamine and cyanuric acid by gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. 3. Layers receiving the melamine-contaminated diet laid eggs with decreased eggshell strength. The decrease in shell strength was found in weeks 3 and 4 compared to the initial state (week 0) and week 1. 4. Hens receiving the melamine-contaminated diet also exhibited a higher total red blood cell count and lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin compared to the control group. However, melamine at 100 mg/kg feed had no effects on the blood variables of layers. 5. Melamine was detected in all analysed tissues of layers fed on the melamine-contaminated diet, with its mean concentrations decreasing in the following order: kidney (7.43 mg/kg) > breast muscle (3.88 mg/kg) > liver (3.11 mg/kg) > thigh muscle (1.91 mg/kg). The kidney and liver of layers fed on the melamine-contaminated diet also exhibited the presence of cyanuric acid. 6. On the basis of our results, it can be concluded that the biotransformation of melamine into cyanuric acid proceeded mainly in the liver, and cyanuric acid was eliminated in urine.
Petra Jakešová, David Zapletal, Radovan Jůzl, Lucie Rusníková, Pavel Suchý, and Eva Straková
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of age on the proportion of particular fatty acids in the whole bodies of pheasants fattened for up to 118 days of age. In the experiment, 232 chicks of common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were used. In the course of the experiment, the required number of pheasants was randomly selected for analysis at regular 10-day intervals. The age of pheasant chicks had a significant effect on the content of all fatty acids. Significant changes in the proportion of fatty acid groups were recorded mainly at 20, 40 and 60 days of age. By 20 days of age the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids decreased considerably in relation to the increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while the n6/n3 ratio decreased markedly. The content of monounsaturated fatty acids increased between day 20 and day 40, causing a simultaneous decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids. From day 40, the monounsaturated fatty acid content increased gradually till the end of fattening, whereas the reverse trend was observed in the saturated fatty acid content in this period. As for polyunsaturated fatty acids, their presence increased from day 40 to day 60, followed by a gradual decrease till the end of fattening. The results of our work showed the different ability of pheasants to digest and utilize particular fatty acids with varying efficiency throughout their growth. The study brings new findings concerning changes in fatty acid composition of pheasants during fattening.
Eva Straková, Pavel Suchý, Ivan Král, David Zapletal, and Ivan Herzig
Elsevier BV
Ten samples of plant vegetation and 10 samples of fresh excrement were taken from the same pasture area. The excrement were collected from 10 2-year-old Old Kladruber horses that received the pasture vegetation daily. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen and amino acids in pasture vegetation was determined by using the acid-insoluble ash marker method. In comparison with excrement, the pasture vegetation contained higher levels of Ser, Ala, Leu, and His and higher levels of Pro (P � .01), Met (P � .01), and Arg (P � .05). The mean level of Ile in pasture vegetation was lower than in excrement
D. Zapletal, E. Straková, and P. Suchý
Copernicus GmbH
Abstract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the directed positive selection of the common pheasant for a higher seven-week body weight (BW) relative to their gender on the realised response to the selection and adult (40-week) BW after four generations of selection. The founder population was not selected before for any traits. For the selection in generation one of the experiment, a total of 2 080 pheasant chicks were used to establish a selection line (SL). In the same year, a total of 400 pheasant chicks were randomly selected as a control line (CL). Within the SL, chicks from individual hatches were selected by sex, always based on live BW at the age of 49 days. The targeted selection was carried out for four generations. In all generations it was found a higher seven-week BW in males compared to females (P<0.01). In generations two, three and four, the BW of the SL in both sexes was always higher in comparison with the CL (P<0.01). The genetic improvement of the seven-week BW was 15.0, 6.4 and 10.1 g in generation two, three and four, respectively. In the last generation, the increase in the seven-week BW of the SL compared to the CL was higher in females than in males (8.00 and 6.66 %, respectively). The realised heritability for the seven-week BW was 0.19. The selection at the age of seven weeks also caused an absolute increase in BW of adult pheasants at the age of 40-weeks.
Jan Kuchtík, David Zapletal, and Květoslava Šustová
Elsevier BV
The aim was to evaluate the effects of crossbreeding Romanov (RO) ewes with Suffolk (SF) and Charollais (CH) sires on the chemicophysical characteristics and FA profile of the Quadriceps femoris muscle (QFM) in lambs fattened under organic conditions. The experimental animals were male lamb twins of two different crossbreds; CH 50 RO 50 and SF 50 RO 50. Lambs were slaughtered at an average live weight of 31kg. CH 50 RO 50 displayed higher contents of dry matter and intramuscular fat of the QFM. A lower pH value of CH 50 RO 50 was reflected in an increase of WHC. Meat of SF 50 RO 50 lambs had more lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*). The CH 50 RO 50 genotype showed a significantly higher proportion of C18:3n-3cis and n-3 PUFA than the SF 50 RO 50 genotype. The genotype also affected the Δ(9)-desaturase (16) index.
František Vitula, Pavel Suchý, Eva Straková, Kateřina Karásková, David Zapletal, and Leo Kroupa
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The aim of this work was to compare gross energy (GE) in breast and thigh muscles in the following six species of feathered game reared in Europe: guineafowl (Numida meleagris), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), chukar (Alectoris chucar), grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Calorimetric analysis revealed significant (P ≤ 0.05) and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences between individual species in the content of energy in breast and thigh muscles. The highest content of energy (recalculated to dry matter) was found in breast muscles from wild turkey (24.75 MJ·kg-1) and Japanese quail (24.57 MJ·kg-1) whereas the highest content of energy (recalculated to dry matter) in thigh muscles was found in Japanese quail and grey partridge. Highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences in the energy content were also found between breast and thigh muscles in all studied game species except for wild turkey. Differences in the content of energy in muscles between individual species occur mainly due to different contents of fat in muscles. This is also confirmed by high correlation coefficients between the content of energy and the content of fat in breast (r = 0.912) and thigh muscles (r = 0.878). Our study provides more specific data on the amount of energy in muscles of major species of feathered game reared in Europe and significantly extends current knowledge in this field.
David Zapletal, Pavel Suchý, Eva Straková, František Vitula, and Jan Kuchtík
Mendel University Press
The aim of this work was to investigate the behaviour patterns of a cage-housed breeding flock of pheasants during the day in the early stage of laying period, and evaluate the differences in behaviour patterns between male and female pheasants. Observations were carried out with a flock of common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) consisting of 1 male and 5 female pheasants aged 2 years that showed a minimum rate of aggression in the previous laying. Behaviour patterns of birds were studied using a 15-minute video recording taken at each hour during the day (from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.). The rates of activities such as feeding, movement, resting, scratching, preening, mating and aggression in female pheasants differed significantly from those in the male, as observed throughout the day. The rate of feeding had 2 peaks in hens (in early morning and late evening). Generally, the feed intake in females was observed throughout the day whereas the male received feed less frequently but at a higher rate, particularly in the afternoon. The highest rate of movement was observed for both male and female pheasants in morning hours followed by a decline in movement activities which was slow in hens and rapid in the cock, with the subsequent second peak before dark. Except for 7 a.m., resting was among behaviour patterns with the highest rate in both genders throughout day, with lower rates in females as compared to the male. The stereotype behaviour was observed in hens more frequently, with a peak in a period from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. The highest frequency of mating was observed in the evening after 7 p.m.