Effect of housing system and feed restriction on meat quality of medium-growing chickens.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in meat quality of 420 Hubbard JA757 cockerels in relation to the housing system (litter and mobile box) and level of mixed feed (ad libitum [AL], reducing the level by 20% [R20] and 30% [R30]). Three groups of chickens were housed in litter boxes for the entire fattening period (stocking density: 0.094 m2/bird). The other 3 groups were housed in litter boxes until 28 d of age and then relocated into mobile boxes (stocking density: 0.154 m2/bird) on pasture until the end of the experiment at 57 d of age. Restricted groups received a reduced diet level from 29th to 57th d of age. Feed mixture restriction increased the pasture vegetation intake of chickens from 2.63 to 3.50 (R20) and 3.94 g of dry matter/bird/d (R30). Restriction adversely affected the dressing percentage (P < 0.001) and breast yield (P < 0.001), while the leg yield (P < 0.001) was increased with increasing restriction levels. Meat of chickens housed in mobile boxes on a pasture showed lower cooking loss (P < 0.001) and higher redness and yellowness values in the skin (P = 0.030 and P = 0.026; respectively) and meat (P = 0.008 and P < 0.001; respectively). The fragile meat after cooking was observed in chickens reared on litter (P = 0.001). As the level of restriction increased, the number of muscle fibres (P = 0.001) increased, and their cross-sectional area (P = 0.001) and diameter (P = 0.002) decreased. The highest contents of lutein (P = 0.002) and zeaxanthin (P = 0.006) in breast muscle were found in chickens housed in mobile boxes and fed 80% and 70% AL. However, the concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherol (P = 0.006 and P = 0.003) were negatively affected by feed restriction. A 30% reduction in feed level in outdoor housed chickens led to a decrease in oxidative stability (P = 0.024). Feed restriction (R20) in chickens housed in mobile boxes significantly increased the n3 fatty acids content (P = 0.002) and h/H index (P = 0.005) and reduced the n6/n3 ratio (P < 0.001) and atherogenic (P < 0.001) and thrombogenic index (P = 0.003), which possess a health benefits for human. In addition, restriction of mixed feed decreased cholesterol content in breast meat (P = 0.042). It might be concluded that, in terms of meat quality, cereal diet restriction of 20% in medium-growing cockerels housed in mobile boxes on a pasture is beneficial. The higher level of restriction does not lead to further improvement in meat quality indicators.

Breast meat quality in males and females of fast-, medium- and slow-growing chickens fed diets of 2 protein levels.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of genotype, sex, dietary protein level, and their interactions on select carcass characteristics and meat quality of fast- (Ross 308), medium- (Hubbard JA757) and slow-growing (ISA Dual) chickens (n = 2,520). The diet of the low-protein group of chickens had 6% lower CP than the commercial diet fed to the control group. When the chickens reached an average live weight of 2 kg, 10 males and 10 females of each genotype and the diet were selected for slaughter and breast meat-quality analysis. The dressing out and breast percentages were lower in the JA757 (-2.0 and -5.9%, respectively) and ISA Dual chickens (-9.9 and -14.3%, respectively) than those in the Ross 308 chickens. The ISA Dual chickens had higher abdominal fat percentage, higher DM and protein contents and lower ether extract content and shear force value in breast meat than the other genotypes. Significant interaction effects of genotype, sex, and diet were found on the color of breast skin. Among the various combinations of genotype, sex, and diet group, Ross 308 females fed the low-protein diet had the highest redness and yellowness of breast skin, highest pH45 value, and largest fibers, whereas ISA Dual females had the lowest color parameters and pH45 value, and ISA Dual males had the smallest muscle fibers. The low-protein diet was associated with decreased abdominal fat percentage and changes in meat quality parameters, including increased darkness, meat color intensity, drip loss, and muscle fiber area, in all genotypes. The results indicated greater differences in meat quality owing to genotype than to sex or dietary protein level.

Effect of a starter diet supplementation with mannan-oligosaccharide or inulin on health status, caecal metabolism, digestibility of nutrients and growth of early weaned rabbits.

The effect of a dietary supplementation with mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS, Bio-Mos, Alltech Inc.) and inulin (Frutafit® IQ) on growth, health, and caecal traits was studied on 348 rabbits (Hyplus®), weaned at 25 days of age. Three hundred and thirty rabbits (110 per group) were used for the health status and growth performance trial, while 18 rabbits (six per group) were used for caecal metabolism evaluation at the age of 42 days of age. Three diets were formulated: C (control), M (0.3% MOS) and I diet (4% inulin). Digestibility of the diets was measured in 10 rabbits per group between 36 and 40 days of age. The control diet was fed to rabbits of the C group from weaning to 74 days of age (slaughter). Diets M and I were fed to rabbits of the respective group from weaning to 46 days of age, then were fed with control diet till slaughter. From 25 to 46 days of age, the weight gain was slightly higher in control rabbits ( P = 0.11), while no differences were recorded for the whole period. No differences among groups in the mortality, which was high due to an enteropathy-infected environment, were significant. The lowest morbidity ( P = 0.05) as well as the health risk index were recorded in rabbits fed the diet with inulin ( P = 0.03). After change of diet, the health risk index increased in the rabbits previously fed the diet with additives, thereby no significant differences in the health status were recorded for the whole period. Total caecal volatile fatty acids concentration was higher ( P < 0.01) and the pH ( P < 0.01) and ammonia concentration ( P = 0.01) lower in rabbits fed the inulin diet than in other rabbits. In these animals, acetate molar proportion was higher ( P = 0.01) and that of propionate as well as the propionate/butyrate ratio significantly lower than in other rabbits. Butyrate molar proportion was higher in rabbits fed the diet with MOS ( P < 0.01). In rabbits fed the inulin diet a higher activity of inulinase was recorded ( P < 0.001) than in other rabbits. A significantly lower digestibility of cellulose was observed in rabbits fed the diet with MOS. The results of our study suggest the importance of using inulin-type fructans in the nutrition of young rabbits. The higher health risk index of rabbits after change of diets indicates that prebiotics should be given for a longer time during the fattening period.

Effect of various copper supplements to feed of laying hens on cu content in eggs, liver, excreta, soil, and herbage.

Copper is often added to poultry diets as an antimicrobial agent at doses greatly exceeding the nutritional requirement. In this study, the basal diet of laying hens containing 9.2 mg Cu/kg was supplemented with CuSO(4) x 5H(2)O at 0, 25, 65, 115, and 240 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM). At Cu dietary concentration just below the level permitted by the European Union (35 mg/kg), the Cu content in the egg yolk was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 26%, and nonsignificantly by 4.1, 9.1, and 7.9% in the egg white, eggshell, and liver, respectively. When Cu concentration in the diet was doubled, the effect of Cu on Cu content in eggshell and liver was statistically significant as well. In no liver sample was the hygienic limit of Cu content (80 mg/kg) exceeded. Supplementation of diets with Cu increased Cu concentration in excreta linearly from 25.3 to 396.8 mg/kg DM. Dried excreta were used for fertilization of grassland at 21 g N/m(2). Three months later, soil and herbage were sampled and analyzed. The Cu concentration in soil increased from 25.3 to only 46.4 mg/kg DM when dietary Cu concentration rose from 9.2 to 243.7 mg Cu/kg DM. Corresponding Cu concentrations in herbage were 6.8 and 19.2 mg/kg DM. It can be concluded that the deposition of Cu in eggs and liver of hens fed Cu-supplemented diets does not represent a hygienic risk. The accumulation of Cu in soil fertilized with excreta of Cu-fed hens and in herbage was limited.

Effects of dietary zinc, iron, and copper in layer feed on distribution of these elements in eggs, liver, excreta, soil, and herbage.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary content and combinations of Zn, Fe, and Cu on deposition of these elements in egg components, liver, and excreta. Excreta were applied as a manure to a lawn, and 3 mo later soil and herbage samples were taken and analyzed. The experiment comprised 144 hens in 8 groups. The basal diet contained Zn, Fe, and Cu at 63.4, 92.8, and 9.0 mg/kg, respectively. It was supplemented with 1, 2, or 3 trace elements (inorganic forms) at 80 mg of Zn/kg, 120 mg of Fe/kg, and 25 mg of Cu/kg. Recovery of Zn, Fe, and Cu in eggs of hens fed the basal diet was 10.7, 9.8, and 4.4% of the alimentary intake, respectively. A Zn-Cu antagonism was observed; deposition of Zn in the yolk was significantly decreased by Cu addition and vice versa (P < 0.01). Supplementation of the basal diet with Fe increased Fe concentration in egg yolk and white by 6.3 and 2.2%, respectively. The combination of Fe with Zn and Cu, however, increased Fe concentration in the yolk and white by 36.7 and 34.9%, respectively (P < 0.01). The enrichment of eggs with the other elements was marginal (Cu) or absent (Zn). Effects of Zn, Fe, and Cu of the basal diet on liver concentrations of these elements were relatively small, and no antagonism between Zn and Cu was apparent. Supplementation of the basal diet with the combination of Zn and Fe, however, significantly decreased hepatic concentration of Cu. On the other hand, Cu supplementation significantly increased Fe concentration in livers of hens fed the Fe-supplemented diet (P < 0.01). Concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Cu in excreta were related to their dietary content. High concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Cu in excreta corresponded with limited deposition of the 3 elements in eggs and liver. Concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Cu in herbage correlated significantly with the supply of these elements by hen excreta into soil. The Zn supplied by hen excreta was more stable than Fe and Cu; thus Zn could accumulate in the soil.

Hydrolysis of phytic acid and its availability in rabbits.

Twenty weaned rabbits were fed ad libitum two granulated feeds containing lucerne meal, barley, oats, wheat bran, oilseed meals and sugarbeet pulp in different proportions. Phytate P in these feeds represented 28.6 and 29.3 % of the total P. Digestibility trials were carried out in rabbits 7 and 10 weeks old. Digestibility of phytate P was 82.1 %, on average. Apparent digestibility of total P was 48.1 and 35.5 % in rabbits aged 7 and 10 weeks, respectively. Concentration of P in the faecal DM of these rabbits averaged 11.9 and 14.7 mg/g. Most of the faecal P was phosphates P (68.1 %). Proportion of phytate P in total faecal P was 9.0 %. Age effect on total P digestibility and faecal P concentration was significant (P<0.05). In five in vitro experiments twenty-four rabbits were killed at the age of 11 weeks, digesta samples diluted with physiological saline containing phytic acid and incubated anaerobically. Calculations of phytase activity in segments of the digestive tract were based on the estimation of phytic acid hydrolysed during the first 2 h of incubation. The caecum contained 58.6 % of the phytase activity of the digestive tract. Corresponding relative values for the phytase activity in the stomach, small intestine and colon were 22.3, 7.7 and 11.4 %, respectively. In incubations of the caecal contents, phytic acid was hydrolysed more rapidly at pH 5-6 than in the neutral pH region. The hydrolysis was inhibited by Ca cations, and to a small extent also by phosphate anions. Commercial fungal phytase (Natupho) was highly active in incubations of the contents of the stomach at pH 1.9. It can be concluded that phytic acid is hydrolysed quite efficiently in the digestive tract of rabbits. This hydrolysis occurred mainly in the caecum. Absorption of soluble inorganic phosphates in the gut is incomplete.

Effect of feeding supplemental copper on performance, fatty acid profile and on cholesterol contents and oxidative stability of meat of rabbits.

One hundred and four rabbits, five weeks old at the beginning of the experiment, were divided into four groups according to a feed additive treatment. Rabbits of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th group were fed a basal granulated feed (control), basal feed supplemented with CuSO4.5H2O at 50 mg Cu.kg-1, basal feed supplemented with 150 mg Cu.kg-1, and the latter feed supplemented with 100 mg.kg-1 vitamin E, respectively. The duration of the experiment was 42 days. Addition of Cu at 150 mg.kg-1 increased weight gain non-significantly by 9.1%. This effect was the most pronounced in the first two weeks of fattening. The lowest mortality was observed in rabbits fed the highest amount of additives (7.7% vs. 19.2% in the control). Rabbits were slaughtered at the age of 11 weeks. Neither treatment influenced proportions of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in lipids extracted from the loin and hindleg muscles. In rabbits fed the highest amount of copper and vitamin E, the cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased by 13.6% and 17.9% in the loin and hindleg meat, respectively. Effects of Cu added at 50 mg.kg-1 were marginal. Copper had no effect on the oxidative stability of meat, measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in meat stored at 4 degrees C for 0, 3 and 8 days. Vitamin E added in excess of nutritional requirement improved the oxidative stability of meat. In copper-fed rabbits, Cu accumulated in the liver, but not in muscles. Feeding of the basal feed for 7 days to rabbits previously fed copper sulphate decreased the hepatic Cu concentration by 14.0 to 24.4%.

Influence of dietary fat source and copper supplementation on broiler performance, fatty acid profile of meat and depot fat, and on cholesterol content in meat.

1. Three hundred and twenty d-old chickens were fed on a wheat/maize-soyabean meal diet supplemented with (i) 50 g/kg lard, (ii) 25 g/kg lard and 25 g/kg rapeseed oil, (iii) 50 g/kg rapeseed oil, and (iv) 50 g/kg rapeseed oil and 200 mg copper per kg as copper sulphate pentahydrate. 2. Final weights at 39 d of age in chickens receiving rapeseed oil were lower by 9% than in those fed on the diet containing only lard (P<0.05). The fatty acids profiles of lipids extracted from the tissues of 10 chickens per group reflected those of the diets. 3. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of breast muscles and abdominal fat (expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids) was increased and the ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids was decreased by the substitution of lard by rapeseed oil (P<0.001). These changes were more pronounced for the adipose tissue than for breast muscles. 4. Copper sulphate supplementation increased the final body weight of chickens by 4.3% (P<0.05), reduced the saturated fatty acid (SFA) proportion (P<0.05) in abdominal fat and increased the PUFA:SFA ratio (P<0.05). The magnitude of improvement, however, was small. 5. The substitution of rapeseed oil for lard decreased the concentration of cholesterol in breast muscles by 13%. Copper supplementation further reduced the cholesterol content by 25%. Both effects were significant (P<0.001).

Female urethra-sparing cystectomy and orthotopic bladder replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Orthotopic bladder replacement after cystoprostatectomy has long become the method of choice in the treatment of infiltrating bladder cancer in males. Very good quality of life in patients thus treated stimulated the work on a similar approach applicable to females. METHODS: Twelve females were treated by urethra-sparing cystectomy. The surgical technique preserves not just the urethra itself but also the pelvic floor and relevant innervation. RESULTS: Diurnal continence was achieved in 11 patients, 1 of whom had a so-called hypercontinence with a residual volume of 300 ml. The remaining patient suffered from stress incontinence. CONCLUSION: The described urethra-sparing radical cystectomy in female patients with a urothelial tumor, with normal pelvic floor and with a low risk of secondary affection of the urethra, permits reconstructing a continent orthotopic neobladder from a detubularized intestinal segment.

[A continent urinary diversion with a detubularized rectum and sigmoid (sigmo-rectal pouch)]. / Kontinentní mocová derivace s pouzitím detubulizovaného rektosigmatu (sigma-rectum pouch).

BACKGROUND: The continent reservoir is an ideal urinary diversion in patients after cystectomy. The artificial closing mechanism construction in these reservoirs is rather complicated and the results are uncertain. The objective of the present work is to assess own experience with a relatively simple rectosigmoid reservoir created by a method described by M. Fisch. METHODS AND RESULTS: Since 1992 till 1995 the sigma-rectum detubularized reservoir was performed in 30 patients. The intricating bladder cancer was an indication for the operation in 27 patients and the other bladder diseases in 3 patients. The patients age ranged from 18 to 75 years. Diurnal continence was achieved in all 30 patients. 12 of them have to awake during the night to evacuate the reservoir 1 to 3 times. CONCLUSIONS: Sigma-rectum pouch is a good form of cintinent diversion in such patient, which are not suitable for orthoscopic neobladder because of oncologic limitation or bad general conditions. The patients tolerate the procedure very well, heal and adapt quickly to new evacuating mechanisms.

[Orthotopic reconstruction of the urinary bladder with preservation of urethral function in women after cystectomy]. / Ortotopická náhrada mocového mechýre u zeny po cystektomii se zachováním funkcní uretry.

Since 1993 till 1995 cystectomy preserving the urethra in twelve female patients with infiltrating bladder cancer was performed. The patients age ranged form 32 to 72 years. The female urethra sparing radical cystectomy includes removal of the bladder together with the uterus and ovaries and resection of the anterior vaginal wall. The condition for preserving of the function of the urethra is its integrity including corresponding innervation and intact pelvic floor. The neobladder is made of a detubularized ileal segment and anastomosed with the urethra. Diurnal continence was achieved in 11 patients, one of them has so called hypercontinence with residual volume of 300 ml. One patient suffers from stress incontinence. The functional characteristics of the orthotopic neobladder in the operated females are very favourable. The risk of further affliction of the retained urethra with an urothelial tumor is possible to influence by a choice of selected patients for the overmentioned procedure.

[The effect of virginiamycin on rumen fermentation in vitro after adaptation of donors to the inoculum]. / Ucinek virginiamycinu na bachorovou fermentaci in vitro po adaptaci donoru inokula.

Virginiamycin is an antibiotic active against grampositive bacteria in the alimentary tract, which is also suitable for supplementation of diets of growing and finishing ruminants. The aim of this work was to specify the effect of virginiamycin on some parameters of rumen fermentation in vitro with inoculi taken from wethers adapted or non-adapted to the virginiamycin intake. Incubations were performed anaerobically at 39 degrees C in serum bottles closed with Bunsen valves. Virginiamycin was added at 0 or 10 mg/l to the rumen fluid diluted with McDougall buffer. Virginiamycin significantly decreased production and utilization of lactic acid, production of methane and decomposition of casein when rumen fluid was taken from non-adapted wethers. Most of its effects disappeared when rumen fluid was sampled from wethers adapted to the virginiamycin intake (100 mg per head daily for 2 months). Adaptation of wethers to virginiamycin was further confirmed by analyses of the rumen fluid which was used for inoculation of in vitro cultures. Molar percentages of acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate were the same before and after the adaptation. Therefore it can be concluded that the effects of virginiamycin on rumen parameters are not stable and its addition to ruminant diets cannot be recommended, with exception of the milk nutrition period. In the last experiment the stability of virginiamycin in the rumen fluid of adapted wethers was investigated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of activity of hydrolytic enzymes in the digestive tract of rabbits.

Activities of twelve hydrolytic enzymes in the digestive tract of young rabbits before weaning (4 weeks old) and adult rabbits (3 months old) were measured. The principal digestive enzymes in both groups of rabbits appeared to be amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), maltase (EC 3.2.1.20), pectinase (EC 3.2.1.15) and proteinases. The stomach of young rabbits contained most of the lipolytic activity and 45.7% of the total proteolytic activity of the digestive tract. The highest specific activities (per g digesta) of amylase, maltase and proteinase in young rabbits were found in the small intestine. Total activities (per segment) of amylase and maltase in the small intestine and the caecum were similar. Activities of cellulase (EC 3.2.1.4), inulinase (EC 3.2.1.7) and beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) were low and activity of pectinase was fairly high in all segments of the digestive tract. The highest activity of urease (EC 3.5.1.5) was found in the caecum. Enzymic profiles of the colonic chymus resembled those of the caecum. Total hydrolytic activity was lower in the colon than in the caecum. Specific activities of amylase and invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) were lower and those of inulinase and lactase (EC 3.2.1.23) higher in 4-week-old rabbits than in 3-month-old rabbits. Gastric proteinase represented almost half of the total proteolytic activity of the digestive tract, whereas lipolytic activity of gastric contents was not found in measurable quantities in adult rabbits. The caecal contents of adult rabbits contained most of the total activity of lipase (EC 3.1.1.3), cellulase, xylanase (EC 3.2.1.32), pectinase, lactase, invertase, beta-glucosidase and urease present in the digestive tract.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of virginiamycin on feed intake, daily gains, ruminal volatile fatty acids and blood parameters in veal calves.

The effect of a peptolide antibiotic virginiamycin on the growth, rumen and blood parameters was followed in 8 milk-fed calves, 4 weeks old initially. Calves were individually housed in metabolic cages. The experiment was ended at the age of 16 weeks. Virginiamycin was supplied at 80 mg per head per day. Calves receiving virginiamycin gained 5.1% more than control calves. Feed intake per 1 kg of body weight gain was higher in control calves. Virginiamycin significantly increased molar percentage of propionate and decreased molar acetate: propionate ratio in rumen fluid. Serum iron, hematocrit and hemoglobin were significantly increased in the treated group in the last period of the trial. Virginiamycin lowered serum protein and urea and tended to decrease activity of aminotransferases.

[Body weight and selected hematologic and biochemical parameters in calves fed various diets during milk feeding]. / Hmotnost a nekteré vybrané hematologické a biochemické parametry pri ruzných dietách v mlécném výkrmu telat.

The objective of the present paper was to obtain haematological and biochemical parameters of calves during their milk feeding. Another goal was to compare a current feed ration containing the commercial feed mixture Biosan with two alternative rations comprising skimmed milk and fat supplement. The effect of milk drink acidification and the effect of the physical form of fat added to skimmed milk were investigated. the calves were divided into six groups, by 6 to 8 calves each (P1-Biosan, PP1-acid variant, P2-skimmed milk+fat concentrate powder KMKS, PP2-acid variant, P3-skimmed milk+fat paste, PP3-acid variant). The highest average daily liveweight gains were recorded in calves fed on unacidified skimmed milk with fat paste supplement (1.074 kg)-Tab. I. The highest average daily liveweight gains were observed in calves fed on fat paste enriched milk drink (P3) while the calves administered milk with fat concentrate powder (P2) had only slightly higher average daily weight gains than the calves on Biosan diet (group P1). The growth of daily weight gains as a result of diets containing acidified milk (PP1 and PP2) is also a positive finding; this growth is even statistically significant in the former case (P < 0.05). The calves showed hypohaemoglobinaemia from the beginning of the experiment (51.3-69.0 g/l) and the low haematocrit value (0.29-0.43 l/l), Tab. II, while the plasma iron level was paradoxically high (Tab. V).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of monensin on performance and selected biochemical and hematological parameters in the blood of calves]. / Vliv monensinu na uzitkovost a vybrané biochemické a hematologické parametry krve telat.

The aim of this study was to find out the influence of monensin, a ionophore antibiotic, on calf performance and selected physiological parameters. Monensin is a product of Streptomyces cinnamonensis. It has effects on all Gram-negative microbes, such as Escherichia coli, salmonellas, pseudomonads and vibria. It has a small effect on Gram-positive microbes. At the beginning of the experiment eight young crossbred bulls (C x N) at the age of three weeks were weighted and divided into two groups, experimental and control ones. Calves were kept in individual boxes and fed acidified whole milk (2 ml of 85% formic acid per 1 litre of milk). They had a free access to concentrates (COT), hay and drinking water. The calves received 3 lt. of whole milk twice a day until the age of eight weeks. 0.5 mg of monensin per 1 kg live weight were served orally to calves of the experimental group every day. Monensin was made by the Spofa Corporation, Prague. Daily intake of feed was recorded and the calves were weighted once a week. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein before the beginning of the experiment, and in the period from the fifth to the tenth week of age, always before morning feeding. The average daily live weight gain was 0.452 kg and 0.471 kg for the control and experimental group, respectively, during the milk feeding period, the index being 104.2 (Tab. I). Tab. II shows the average feed intake per 1 kg live weight gain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of cellulase on calves fed an acidified milk diet]. / Ucinek celulázy v odchovu telat krmených okyselenou mlécnou dietou.

The purpose of this research was to establish the influence of 3 j Cx cellulase applied per gram of COT concentrate mixture, fed in combination with a milk diet acidified by formic acid to the value of pH 4.6, on calf growth performance in one metabolism and two field experiments. In the metabolism experiment two groups of calves, with six animals in each, were fed acidified whole milk, which was diluted stage by stage till weaning at 60 days of age. The average live weight gain in the control at the end of the milk feeding period, i.e. from 14 to 60 days of age, was 29.90 kg. This corresponds to a daily live weight gain of 0.650 g. The total live weight gain of male calves in the experimental group was 29.30 kg, corresponding to a daily live weight gain of 0.638 g (Tab. I). Tab. II shows the average feed and nutrient intakes per kg live weight gain. The calves which received the enzyme supplement tend to have the higher feed conversion rate. During the forage feeding period, i.e. from 61 to 90 days of age, the average daily live weight gains were 1.10 kg and 0.980 kg in the control and experimental groups, respectively (Tab. III). The average live weight of 90 days old male calves was 107.70 kg and 103.90 kg in the control and experimental groups, respectively. The amount of consumed nutrients (digestible protein and starch units); in relation to the total feed intakes, is lower in the experimental groups, which proves the higher feed conversion rate (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Determination of the effects of feeding cold soured milk to calves under normal conditions]. / Overení úcinku zkrmování chladného okyseleného mlécného nápoje telatum v provozních podmínkách.

The effect of cold milk drink on selected biochemical and haematological parameters in calves blood during the milk nutrition period was observed in farm conditions, as compared with the current feeding regime. The test group was offered cold sour milk drink (one 1 MKS Laktosan acidulated with addition of 22 ml formic acid to a pH of 4.6) at the temperature of 16 degrees C after four-day-adaption till the calves average age of 61 days. The control group was given MKS Laktosan in the usual way, using the same amount of the drink and time of serving it. During the test the performance was recorded, as well as haemoglobine content, total protein, haematocrit, urea, glucose, cholesterol, transaminase (ALT and AST) activities and alkaline blood reserves. In the studied parameters no significant differences were found between the test and control group (P greater than 0.05). The average daily gains of live weight during the period of milk nutrition was 0.762 kg in the test group and 0.667 kg in the control group.

[The effect of biotechnological treatment of milk-replacer feeding mixtures on hematologic and biochemical parameters and its utilization in calves]. / Vliv biotechnologických úprav mlécné krmné smesi na hematologické a biochemické parametry a uzitkovost telat.

A trial was performed with cellulase administration (3 cx per g of ingested feed dry matter) to early weaned calves fed minimum amounts of milk replacer (21 kg per milk nutrition period) and sweet (C, D) and sour (A, B) diets. The groups B and D were supplemented with an enzyme till the age of 90 days. The calves were given free choice of COT concentrate mixture, hay and water. Liveweight gains, feed and nutrient intake and health condition of calves were the characteristics investigated in this trial. Hematocrit value, hemoglobin, glucose and urea contents were determined in blood, in blood plasma buffer capacity was investigated. Although the differences in calf performance are not statistically significant, the best growth of calves in the vegetable nutrition period was observed in calves in group D. Nutrient conversion was also higher in calves of group D in the vegetable nutrition period. In conversion of nutrient consumption per 1 kg liveweight gain the difference in the intake of digestible crude protein and starch units between the group of calves fed sweet milk without enzyme addition in the milk nutrient period (A--digestible crude protein 0.40 +/- 0.005; starch units 1.74 +/- 0.008) and group D (sour diet + 3 cx cellulase--digestible crude protein 0.34 +/- 0.007; starch units 1.52 +/- 0.044) was statistically significant (P less than 0.025 and P less than 0.05) in favour of group D. An analysis of the results of hematological and biochemical investigations during the trial demonstrates that the sour diet is better in view of changes in glucose concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Percutaneous extraction of concretions from the kidney]. / Perkutánní extrakce konkrementu z ledviny.

The authors submit a report on 225 patients operated by the percutaneous approach on the kidney during the period between March 1985 and February 1987. From 231 operations on account of lithiasis concrements were removed in 94.8%. No major complications were observed. The mean period which elapsed from operation to discharge was 8 days in one-stage operations and 19 days in multiple-stage operations. The authors discuss the indications and some technical conditions of the method.