David Zapletal

Scopus Publications

Effect of dietary administration of Mentha piperita alone and in combination with Artemisia abrotanum on growth performance, body composition, physicochemical properties and amino acid composition of meat in Eimeria-challenged broilers
David Zapletal, Martina Kosťuková, Lenka Rozsypalová, Vlastimil Šimek, František Ježek, et al.
Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2026
Broilers responses to dietary wormwood administration under Eimeria-challenged conditions
David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Martina Kosťuková, Vlastimil Šimek, Helena Stříbrná, et al.
Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2025
Effect of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) supplementation to diet on performance, body composition, immune organs, gut morphology, amino acid composition and sensory attributes of breast meat in Eimeria-challenged chickens
David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Martina Kosťuková, Vlastimil Šimek, Lenka Rozsypalová, et al.
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2025
Growth performance, carcass composition, physico-chemical traits and amino acid profile of meat depending on wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) dietary supplementation in broilers
David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Vlastimil Šimek, Josef Kameník, František Ježek
Archives Animal Breeding, 2024
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.
Proximate Chemical Composition, Amino Acids Profile and Minerals Content of Meat Depending on Carcass Part, Sire Genotype and Sex of Meat Rabbits
Robert Gál, David Zapletal, Petra Jakešová, Eva Straková
Animals, 2022
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.
Evaluation of Exterior Faults in Selected Slovak Rabbit Breeds
Ľ. Mojcherová, F. Zigo, S. Ondrašovičová, D. Zapletal, M. Vargová, et al.
Folia Veterinaria, 2022
The aim of this study was to evaluate the exterior faults in selected Slovak breeds of rabbits of different colour varieties according to a current Book of Rabbit Standards. Of 336 rabbits from 9 exhibitions organized in the territory of the Slovak and Czech Republics, 2 national medium-sized breeds of Liptov Bold-Spotted Rabbit (270 pcs) and Nitra Rabbit (66 pcs) were selected. The qualities and exterior faults of typical breed traits were evaluated in seven positions including: weight, shape, type, coat, top colour (eventually markings), under-colour (eventually intermediate colour), condition and health. Our evaluations showed that the most common exterior faults in these categories were in the: positions, shape, type, coat, and top-colour. In the shape position there were found significant exterior faults, such as slightly protruding hips with slanting rump, and worse legs position with loose skin on the body. In the type position, the faults observed in all selected breeds included: narrow chest, body too lean or too long, more delicate head with ears too fine and longer. The coat was usually thick and less elastic with a lighter under-colour at the base of the skin and non-sharply defined intermediate colour. In the top colour position of evaluated breeds there were numerous deficiencies involving uneven, and incomplete colour, and significant faults in the drawing. The data obtained in this study were innovative, as they represented a new approach that may help to characterize the Slovak breeds of rabbits included in this study and to select individuals with the best exterior traits towards improving the quality of these breeds.
The effects of dietary supplementation of common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) meal on growth and excreted Eimeria spp. oocysts incidence in Dwarf Lop rabbit kits
Lenka Kudělková
Acta Fytotechnica Et Zootechnica, 2022
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.
Growth of suckled rabbit kits depending on litter size at birth
David Zapletal
Acta Fytotechnica Et Zootechnica, 2021
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).
Growth performance, mortality and body and carcass characteristics of rabbit fatteners related to crossbreeding of mecklenburger schecke sires with dam line of HYLA rabbits
David Zapletal, Petra Jakešová, Eliška Žáková, Vlastimil Šimek, Eva Straková
Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2020
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.
Dehulling effect of dietary administered white lupine seeds on the blood biochemistry of broilers
D Zapletal, L Kudelkova, P Jakesova, V Simek, E Strakova, et al.
Veterinarni Medicina, 2020
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.
The comparison of the selected morphometric traits in three medium-sized rabbit breeds
Vlastimil Šimek
Acta Fytotechnica Et Zootechnica, 2019
Fatting parameters after duck egg exposure to γ -radiation
P. Dvořák, J. Doležalová, P. Suchý, E. Straková, D. Zapletal, et al.
Poultry Science, 2019
Male-to-female aggression in cage-housed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during the breeding season was not related to male plasma testosterone level
D. Zapletal, M. Macháček, P. Suchý, E. Straková, F. Vitula
British Poultry Science, 2018
Dietary effects of the inclusion of white lupine seeds and different types of binders on the blood indicators of young Dwarf Lop rabbits
V. Simek, L. Kudelkova, E. Strakova, P. Suchy, D. Zapletal
Veterinarni Medicina, 2018
Selected blood biochemical indicators of Cherry Valley ducks undergoing fattening in relation to their diet and sex
M. Jerabek, P. Suchy, E. Strakova, L. Kudelkova, V. Simek, et al.
Veterinarni Medicina, 2018
Changes in growth performance and body and carcass composition of common pheasants following three generations of selection for higher 7-week bodyweight
D. Zapletal, K. Karásková, E. Straková
Animal Production Science, 2017
Physiological values of some blood indicators in selected dwarf rabbit breeds
V. Šimek, D. Zapletal, E. Straková, A. Pavlík, P. Suchý
World Rabbit Science, 2017
Haematological indicators in hybrid mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) with regard to the use of meal from whole white lupin seeds in their diet
David Zapletal, Lenka Kudělková, Vlastimil Šimek, Petra Jakešová, Miroslav Macháček, et al.
Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2017
Broiler chickens exposed to melamine and cyanuric acid-contaminated diets
D Zapletal, E Straková, P Novák, P Suchý
Human and Experimental Toxicology, 2016
Changes in physico-chemical characteristics, somatic cell count and fatty acid profile of brown short-haired goat milk during lactation
Animal Science Papers and Reports, 2015
Effect of melamine-contaminated diet on tissue distribution of melamine and cyanuric acid, blood variables, and egg quality in laying hens
P. Suchý, P. Novák, D. Zapletal, E. Straková
British Poultry Science, 2014
Effect of melamine and cyanurid acid contaminated diets on blood indicators in broiler chickens
E. Straková, K. Karásková, D. Zapletal, P. Suchý
Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2014
Effect of age on contents of fatty acids in whole bodies of pheasants throughout their growth
Petra Jakešová, David Zapletal, Radovan Jůzl, Lucie Rusníková, Pavel Suchý, et al.
Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2014
The Content of Amino Acids in Pasture Vegetation and Their Apparent Digestibility in 2-year-old Horses
Eva Straková, Pavel Suchý, Ivan Král, David Zapletal, Ivan Herzig
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2013
Realised response to short-term selection of the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) selected for seven-week body weight
D. Zapletal, E. Straková, P. Suchý
Archiv Tierzucht, 2013