Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2012 (vol. 57), issue 11
Efficacy of contrast levels of non-phytate phosphorus and Aspergillus niger phytase in hens fed wheat-maize-based diets
M. Englmaierová, G. Dlouhá, M. Marounek, M. Skřivan
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(11):499-505 | DOI: 10.17221/6382-CJAS 
A 2 × 2 factorial design experiment examined the effect of dietary non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) (1.3 and 4.0 g/kg) and 3-phytase (F) (0 and 150 FTU/kg) on the performance indicators of hens, physical parameters of eggs, phosphorus (P) content of the eggshells, and the pH of the digestive tract of laying hens. Two hundred and forty hens (ISA Brown) were housed in enriched cages and fed a wheat-maize-based diet. A significant effect of both NPP and F was found for the yolk colour (P = 0.016) and shell thickness (P = 0.038). The F supplement or higher level of NPP alone and in combination increased the value of the yolk colour and shell...
Effects of feeding corn naturally contaminated with AFB1 and AFB2 on performance and aflatoxin residues in broilers
J. Yang, F. Bai, K. Zhang, X. Lv, S. Bai, L. Zhao, X. Peng, X. Ding, Y. Li, J. Zhang
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(11):506-515 | DOI: 10.17221/6383-CJAS
AFB1 is the most abundant aflatoxin in food and animal feed, generally occurring along with low levels of other aflatoxins. In this experiment, broilers were administered corn that was naturally contaminated with AFB1 and AFB2. We found that the broilers were more sensitive during the starter period and had a poor performance during the grower period. In addition, the broilers showed a significant reduction in feed intake when consuming material contaminated with 134.0 and 23.6 µg/kg of AFB1 and AFB2, respectively. Our results also demonstrate that villus height and the ratio of villus height...
Evaluation of sensory characteristics of sheep and goat meat by Procrustes Analysis
S. Keskin, A. Kor, S. Karaca
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(11):516-521 | DOI: 10.17221/6384-CJAS
Relationships between sensory variables, species, feeding systems, and panelists were examined by Procrustes Analysis. Six meat groups considering species and feeding type combinations were evaluated by ten panelists for five sensory characteristics (colour, texture, odour, taste, and acceptability). These characteristics were assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale (9 = extremely enjoy, 1 = extremely dislike). Generalized Procrustes Analysis was performed and 61.11% of the total variability was explained by the first two dimensions that correspond to Factor 1 and Factor 2. The first one accounted for 33.99% and the second for 27.12%. Results showed...
Estimation of genetic parameters and evaluation of test-day milk production in sheep
J. Bauer, M. Milerski, J. Přibyl, L. Vostrý
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(11):522-528 | DOI: 10.17221/6385-CJAS
Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated based on 11 708 daily milk yields from 2255 lactations (1351 sheep, 19 different flocks) between the years 2004 and 2010. The pedigree covered 2334 individuals, including both the recorded animals and their known ancestors. The fixed effects were estimated by the least-squares method, while the genetic parameters were estimated by the REML method. The data were tested by 49 models, but on the basis of the coefficient-of-determination value and the significance of the effects, only 10 models were used for REML analysis. The most suitable model was chosen on the basis of the breeding values distribution...
Probiotic properties of Enterococcus faecium CE5-1 producing a bacteriocin-like substance and its antagonistic effect against antibiotic-resistant enterococci in vitro
K. Saelim, N. Sohsomboon, S. Kaewsuwan, S. Maneerat
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(11):529-539 | DOI: 10.17221/6386-CJAS
A bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) producing Enterococcus faecium CE5-1 was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Thai indigenous chickens. Investigations of its probiotic potential were carried out. The competition between the BLS probiotic strain and antibiotic-resistant enterococci was also studied. Ent. faecium CE5-1 exhibited a good tolerance to pH 3.0 after 2 h and in 7% fresh chicken bile after 6 h, but the viability of Ent. faecium CE5-1 decreased by about 2-3 log CFU/ml after 2 h incubation in pH 2.5. It was susceptible to the antibiotics tested (tetracycline, erythromycin, penicillin G, and vancomycin)....