Effect of corn silage and quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, body measurements, and carcass tissue composition in White Koluda W31 geese.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of corn silage and quantitative feed restriction on BW, ADG, feed conversion, and carcass composition of White Koluda W31 geese. Two diets were fed during the rearing period from 22 to 98 d of age: 1) a commercial diet ad libitum, and 2) restricted amounts of a commercial diet and corn silage ad libitum. Each treatment had 2 replicates of 16 birds each. From 99 to 119 d of age, all birds were fattened with whole oat grain alone. Incorporation of corn silage reduced weight gains and caused statistically significant differences in BW at the end of the rearing period (14 wk, 6,625.0 vs. 6,050.0 g; P < 0.05). Experimental geese showed compensatory growth during the oat fattening period and the BW of geese from both groups was similar at the end of the study (17 wk, 7,675.1 vs. 7,467.9 g; P > 0.05). Daily weight gains varied with week of growth, being lowest at 12 wk of age. Birds fed the commercial diet and corn silage had a significantly longer trunk (29.2 vs. 31.0 cm, P < 0.05) and shorter shanks (10.0 vs. 9.4 cm, P < 0.05) at 8 wk, and significantly smaller chest circumference (54.7 vs. 51.9 cm, P < 0.05) at the end of 14 wk. At the end of oat feeding (17 wk), geese receiving silage had significantly longer trunk and drumstick compared with geese fed commercial diets alone. The carcasses of 17-wk-old experimental geese contained more breast and leg muscles (%), and less skin with subcutaneous fat from breast and legs compared with control birds. Significant differences were only noted between the groups in dressing percentage (65.0 vs. 74.7%, P < 0.05) and proportion of skin with subcutaneous fat from breast (8.9 vs. 7.8%, P < 0.05). Dilution of the diet for young fattening geese with whole-crop corn silage had a positive effect on production economics and carcass composition.

Preliminary studies on the reaction of growing geese (Anser anser f. domestica) to the proximity of wind turbines.

Wind farms produce electricity without causing air pollution and environmental degradation. Unfortunately, wind turbines are a source of infrasound, which may cause a number of physiological effects, such as an increase in cortisol and catecholamine secretion. The impact of infrasound noise, emitted by wind turbines, on the health of geese and other farm animals has not previously been evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of noise, generated by wind turbines, on the stress parameters (cortisol) and the weight gain of geese kept in surrounding areas. The study consisted of 40 individuals of 5-week-old domestic geese Anser anser f domestica, divided into 2 equal groups. The first experimental gaggle (I) remained within 50 m from turbine and the second one (II) within 500 m. During the 12 weeks of the study, noise measurements were also taken. Weight gain and the concentration of cortisol in blood were assessed and significant differences in both cases were found. Geese from gaggle I gained less weight and had a higher concentration of cortisol in blood, compared to individuals from gaggle II. Lower activity and some disturbing changes in behavior of animals from group I were noted. Results of the study suggest a negative effect of the immediate vicinity of a wind turbine on the stress parameters of geese and their productivity.

[Case of male pseudohermaphroditism in cattle. (Bos taurus L.) with a 60 XY karyotype]. / Przypadek pseudohermafrodytyzmu samczego u bydla. (Bos taurus) L.) z kariotypem 60,XY

The clinical, anatomical, histological and cytogenetical evaluation has been made of a case of pseudohermaphroditism in domestic cattle. A 1,5 year old bull of unknown origin with general male features and male sexual orientation has been studied. It showed an underdeveloped udder and external female reproductive organs. The internal male genital organs showed underdeveloped testes and epididymis, vasa deferentia, vesicular glands, small penis and the clitoris-like glans penis. There were also remnants of female genital organs: uterus with uteri horns situated along the vasa deferentia and the vagina. The testes lacked germinal cells. The 60,XY karyotype has been stated on the basis of the blood lymphocyte culture. No Barr bodies have been found in the tissues. The possibility of development of this anomaly as freemartinism syndrome has been discussed. The obtained cytogenetical results enabled us to put forward the hypothesis that the bull did not derive from a heterosexual twin pregnancy. The possibility of absence of the hypothetic "X" factor (according to Jost), as a cause of this male external and internal pseudohermaphroditism has also been reviewed.