Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2012 (vol. 57), issue 6
Chemical characterization and in vitro biological activity of four tropical legumes, Styzolobium aterrimum L., Styzolobium deeringianum, Leucaena leucocephala, and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, as compared with a tropical grass, Cynodon spp. for the use in ruminant diets
C. Longo, J. Hummel, J. Liebich, I.C.S. Bueno, P. Burauel, E.J. Ambrosano, A.L. Abdalla, U.Y. Anele, K.-H. Südekum
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(6):255-264 | DOI: 10.17221/5960-CJAS 
Leucaena leucocephala (LEU) and three under-utilized tanniferous legumes, Styzolobium aterrimum L. (STA), Styzolobium deeringianum (STD), and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth (MIC) were chemically characterized and the biological activity of tannins was evaluated using in vitro simulated ruminal fermentation through tannin-binding polyethylene glycol (PEG) and compared with a non-tanniferous tropical grass hay, Cynodon spp. (CYN). The Hohenheim gas test was used and gas production (GP) was recorded at 4, 8, 12, 24, 32, 48, 56, 72, 80, and 96 h incubation with and without PEG. Kinetic parameters were...
Fresh or frozen rumen contents from slaughtered cattle to estimatein vitro degradation of two contrasting feeds
A.S. Chaudhry, R.A.I. Mohamed
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(6):265-273 | DOI: 10.17221/5961-CJAS
The present factorial experiment tested the thawed rumen fluid from frozen rumen contents against fresh rumen fluid from the same slaughtered cattle to estimate in vitro degradation of rapeseed meal (RSM) and grass nuts (GN) as two contrasting feeds at various times. Fresh rumen fluid showed higher (P < 0.05) in vitro dry matter (DMD) and crude protein (CPD) degradation than the thawed rumen fluid at most incubation times. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between fresh and differently prepared thawed rumen fluids for mean degradation constants (a, b, c) and effective degradability (P0.02)...
Relationships among milk yield, body weight, and reproduction in Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh cows
D. Řehák, J. Volek, L. Bartoň, Z. Vodková, M. Kubešová, R. Rajmon
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(6):274-282 | DOI: 10.17221/5962-CJAS
The objective of this study was to determine the dynamics and relative body weight (BW) changes after parturition and their relationships to milk yield in Holstein (H) and Czech Fleckvieh (F) cows, and also the relationships between their BW changes in the first 8 weeks of lactation and reproductive performance. A retrospective, observational study comprised analyses of individual cow records from a computerised herd management system. Production, body weight, and reproduction data were collected between December 2004 and February 2009 from F and H cows kept in a single experimental station. A total of 475 calving interval records (F: N =...
QTL analysis for carcass composition and meat quality traits on SSC7q1.1-q1.4 region in Large White × Meishan F2 pigs
W. Huang, Z. Xu, Y. Xiong, B. Zuo
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(6):283-289 | DOI: 10.17221/5963-CJAS
Significant QTL for carcass and meat quality traits on Sus scrofa chromosome 7 (SSC7) were detected in various Meishan derived resource populations, especially on q1.1-q1.4 region. In order to confirm and narrow the QTL in this region, seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one insertion or deletion located in eight genes (BTNL1, SLC39A7, COL21A1, PPARD, GLP1R, MDFI, GNMT, and PLA2G7) were included for linkage mapping in a Large White × Meishan resource population, as well as two flanking microsatellite markers (SW2155 and SW352). Ten chromosome-wise...
Effect of immunocastration in group-housed commercial fattening pigs on reproductive organs, malodorous compounds, carcass and meat quality
M. Škrlep, N. Batorek, M. Bonneau, M. Prevolnik, V. Kubale, M. Čandek-Potokar
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(6):290-299 | DOI: 10.17221/5964-CJAS
In the present study, the effect of immunocastration on carcass traits, meat quality, reproductive organs development, and boar taint compounds was investigated. Male piglets (50% Duroc crosses) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: entire males (EM; n = 19), surgical castrates (SC; n = 20) and immunocastrates (IC, vaccinated with Improvac® at the age of 79 and 142 days; n = 21). Pigs were fed ad libitum and weighed at the time of first and second vaccination and before slaughter (176 days of age). No differences between treatment groups were detected for carcass weight. In the case of...