Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2004 (vol. 49), issue 6
Effects of α - naphthoflavone on body growth and gonad development in chickens (Gallus domesticus)
P. Trefil, A. Mičáková, M. Stiborová, M. Poplštein, J. P Brillard, P. Hodek
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(6):231-238 | DOI: 10.17221/4305-CJAS 
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged oral administration of α -naphthoflavone on somatic and germinal development in male and female chickens (Gallus domesticus). No significant differences were observed at any tested age (6, 8, 10 and 12 wks) between control and treated groups of either sex in total body weight and in the weights of kidney, liver, gizzard, heart, abdominal fat, breast and ovary tissues (P > 0.05). Mean testicular weights were similar between groups at 6, 8 and 10 wks but at 12 wks males supplemented with α -naphthoflavone had significantly heavier testicle weights (P...
The ambiguity of freemartinism diagnosis in cattle revealed by cytogenetic and molecular techniques
J. Nowacka, M. Switonski, M. Mackowski, E. Slota, A. Radko, T. Zabek, K. Urbaniak
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(6):239-243 | DOI: 10.17221/4306-CJAS
Nineteen heifers and three male co-twins, originating from heterosexual twin pregnancies, were analysed with the use of cytogenetic and molecular techniques. A large number (50-400) of Giemsa stained metaphase spreads were studied and the proportion of XX and XY cell lines was calculated. The presence of two genes - SRY and AMEL (AMELX and AMELY) - was also analysed. Both approaches facilitated the identification of the XX/XY chimerism in 17 females and three males. The proportion of the co-twin cell line ranged from 1 to 99%. In two females no chimerism was detected: (1) 60,XY male chromosome complement in all 400...
Selection index for bulls of Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic
J. Přibyl, P. Šafus, M. Štípková, L. Stádník, V. Čermák
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(6):244-256 | DOI: 10.17221/4307-CJAS
Complex selection indexes are proposed for bulls of Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic. Partial breeding values for milk performance, fertility and body conformation are combined in the index. Conformation is expressed either by linear classification or by general characteristics and body measurements. Variants according to the traits included in breeding objective and in performance recordingwere tested - breeding objective comprised milk, meat, milkability, health, reproduction, longevity; production traits and linear classification of body conformation or production traits and general characteristics of body conformation and/or production traits,...
Assessment of the influence of oligosaccharides isolated from pea seeds on functional quality of quail
Z. Tarasewicz, D. Szczerbinska, D. Majewska, A. Danczak, K. Romaniszyn, P. Gulewicz
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(6):257-264 | DOI: 10.17221/4308-CJAS
An experiment was conducted on mature Pharaoh quail kept in cages with constant access to feed and water. The birds were divided into three feeding groups (two replications) of 48 female and 16 male birds each. Quail of the first group were fed a standard feed, those of group 2 and 3 received feed enriched with oligosaccharides at a dose of 0.4 g and 3 g, respectively. In the course of the experiment the following measurements were taken: bird weight, feed intake, egg laying capacity, egg weight, death rate, egg hatchability. Blood was examined for cholesterol and triglycerides, yolks for the protein and gammaglobulin level. The digestive tract was...
Effects of probiotic bacteria on the performance of arctic foxes, pathomorphology and microflora of their alimentary tracts
A. Gugolek, M. O Lorek, Z. Rotkiewicz, T. Rotkiewicz
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(6):265-270 | DOI: 10.17221/4309-CJAS
Studies on the use of Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures in arctic fox nutrition were performed on 80 foxes, in the period from weaning to the end of growth and fur development. Diets for the experimental animals were supplemented with 1 g of a probiotic preparation that provided the supply of each bacterial culture in the amount of 1 × 109 CFU (colony forming units) per day. The performance of the animals was estimated on the basis of their body weights, conformation and pelt quality. Histopathological examinations of the liver, kidneys and selected segments of the alimentary tract were also conducted....
Feeding selectivity and growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed on temperate-zone aquatic macrophytes
I. Šetlíková, Z. Adámek
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(6):271-278 | DOI: 10.17221/4310-CJAS
Feeding selectivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) juveniles (9.3-20.9 g) to four aquatic macrophyte species and tilapia growth were studied in 4 consecutive experiments. Plant diet was provided to 8 tanks containing 20 fishes for 5 days. The fish were fed a carp diet between 4 experiments for 14 days. The consumption of 4 aquatic macrophyte species differed significantly [F(3,252) = 39.6; P < 10-6]. Elodea canadensis was the most preferred plant (Chesson selectivity index = 0.50 ± 0.05, n = 4). Potamogeton pectinatus and Spirodela polyrhiza were consumed with about...