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The objective of the study was to compare the chemical composition and fatty acid profile in ten clinically healthy bulls of similar weight from eight meat cattle breeds. The animals were raised by extensive grazing under the same geographical conditions. Significant differences were observed between the monitored genotypes in terms of the dry matter content, nitrogenous matter and fats (P ≤ 0.05) in the musculus longissimus thoracis. The concentration of fats ranged from 68.5 ± 18.81 g (Galloway cattle) to 171.6 ± 43.3 g (Aberdeen Angus) per kg of dry matter. The total content of unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 20.0 ± 2.25 g (Aberdeen Angus) to 42.4 ± 7.87 g (Gascon); the total sum of monounsaurated fatty acids ranged from 17.0 ± 2.26 g (Aberdeen Angus) to 33.8 ± 3.61 g (Gascon); and the total sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged from 3.0 ± 1.42 g (Aberdeen Angus) to 5.1 ± 3.99 g (Limousin) per 100 g of fat. The total content of n-6 fatty acids ranged from 2.4 ± 1.28 g (Aberdeen Angus) to 4.2 ± 3.59 g (Limousin) and the total content of n-3 fatty acids from 0.5 ± 0.16 g (Salers) to 1.1 ± 0.04 g (Gascon) per 100 g of fat. The properties we studied may predict the biological, dietetic, and culinary value of the meat.

The colour and viscosity of egg yolk are among major indicators assessed by consumers and food technology. This study attempts to evaluate the colour and viscosity of yolk in laying hens’ eggs after the addition of dried beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. esculenta var. rubra) at the amount of 1% and 2% per feeding dose (in July and August 2012). The experiment was performed on 24 hens that were divided into three groups of 8 laying hens. The preparatory phase lasted one week (standard diet), followed by four weeks during which experimental layers received a diet enriched with beetroot. Then, all layers were fed a mixture without beetroot for the following four weeks. Eggs were collected during the whole period of 8 weeks. In total, 30 eggs from each group were subjected to analysis. The colour of eggs was determined using spectrophotometry, by the Colour-guide sphere spex portable colorimeter. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in value L* of yolk colour in experimental groups whereas values a* and b* (indicators of the international colorimetric scale CIELAB) did not vary significantly. Similarly, specific purity C*ab did not show a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the control and experimental groups. The egg yolk viscosity was lower in experimental groups compared to the control group but the difference was not significant. The addition of dried beetroot at the amount of 1 and 2% per feeding dose had no effect on colour and viscosity. This paper supported the null hypothesis that the addition of dried beetroot to the feeding dose at the amount of 1% and 2% has no effect on the colour and viscosity of egg yolk. Antioxidants, CIELAB, Beta vulgaris, poultry nutrition, food technology The colour and viscosity of egg yolk are among major indicators assessed by consumers when they evaluate the quality of eggs. Egg yolk contains 35% of lipids, 16% of proteins and most 0.2% of lipophilic pigments including carotenoids (Kriz 1997). All egg yolk components contribute to its final colour. The effect of diet administered to laying hens is manifested by a number of colour tones, ranging from light yellow to dark orange (Lomakina and Mikova 2006). The colour of egg yolk is also affected by carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, and xanthophyls with their antioxidant effects. Beta vulgaris L. ssp. esculenta var. rubra contains among others also flavonoids, betanin, quercetin, and polyphenols (Lichtenthaler et al. 2005). The term „chromaticity“ has been used to describe the properties of the source of light and express colour properties (spectral composition). Unlike the subjective perception of colour, colorities can be compared using spectrophotometric instruments with defined parameters (Dvorak et al. 2009). The results of reflection and absorption are expressed using the international colorimetric scale CIELAB (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage 1986) which is based on differences between three elementary complementary colour pairs: red-green (value a*), yellow-blue (value b*) and black-white (value L*). The third indicator, specific lightness L*, is the function of reflectance, i.e. the ratio between the intensity of reflected light and the intensity of incident light from 0 (black) to 100 (white). The other indicators are defined by ACTA VET. BRNO 2014, 83: 039–044; doi:10.2754/avb201483010039 Address for correspondence: Vladimir Kopřiva Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Palackeho tř. 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic Phone: +420 541 562 610 E-mail: koprivav@vfu.cz http://actavet.vfu.cz/ calculations: The distance between the two points represented by ΔE* (CIE total colour difference); specific purity C*ab (the chroma of the colour) is the value by which particular colority differs from grey; the specific angle of the colour tone hab (hue) is described as the name of colority in relation to colour (Dvorak et al. 2009; 2012). The diet composition is a major factor affecting the colour of egg yolk. Viscosity as a physical indicator depends on the age of an egg, storage temperature, the pH value, specific weight, water content and egg stress. When assessing the viscosity of the whole egg, one should particularly consider the viscosity of egg yolk since it is usually × 8 greater than the viscosity of egg white (Simeonovova et al. 2003). The aim of this study was to find if the addition of beetroot to poultry feed affects yolk colour detected by the SIELAB system, and whether the addition of beetroot to the diet of laying hens affects the viscosity of egg yolk. Materials and Methods Experimental design The experiment was performed in the accredited enclosure of the Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno. The laying hens were reared using enriched cage technology. The experiment was performed (in July and August 2012) on 24 Isabrown hybrid hens aged 28 weeks that were divided into three groups of 8 laying hens. The groups of hens were housed in separate cages. During the experiment, laying hens received a complete commercial feeding mixture ad libitum (crude protein 159.0 g·kg-1, fat 25.8 g·kg-1, fibre 26 g·kg-1, ash 104.5 g·kg-1, Ca 33.2 g·kg-1, P 4.9 g·kg-1, Mg 3.1 g·kg-1 and metabolic energy 11.7 MJ·kg-1). Water was administered continually ad libitum using automatic feeders. Two experimental groups received homogenized dried beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. esculenta var. rubra) at the amount of 1% (group 1) and 2% (group 2) in their feeding mixture. The last group was control that received only the feeding mixture without the addition of beetroot. One week before the start of the experiment the hens were fed a standard diet. This week was followed by 4 weeks of diet enriched with beetroot. Afterwards all layers were fed a mixture without beetroot for the following 4 weeks. Eggs were collected during the whole period of 8 weeks. In total, 30 eggs (that were allowed to stand at 6 °C for 96 h) from each group were subjected to analysis. Methods Egg yolk colour was determined first, followed by determination of yolk viscosity. Prior to measurement, egg yolk was separated from egg white and placed on a Petri dish with a diameter of 50 mm. Then, it was mixed and covered using a thin plastic foil for wrapping food. The colour was determined using a spectrophotometric method in the CIELAB system, using the Colour-guide sphere spex portable spectrophotometer (Byk Gardner), without gloss, with the following set-up: spherical geometry d/8°, the source of light D65, standard observer’s angle 10°, and the diameter of aperture 8 mm. All measurements were carried out × 3; the mean of all three measured values was calculated to give the resultant value. In order to compare the results, the mean values of L*, a*, b* coordinates were used to calculate further parameters of the CIELAB system. The distance between the two points ΔE* (CIE total color difference) was calculated according to the following formula: DE* = [(DL*)2 + (Da*)2 + (Db*)2]1/2. Chroma C*ab is the value by which the particular colority differs from grey; it was calculated according to the following formula: C*ab = (a* 2 + b*2)1/2. Hue hab is described as the name of a colour. Its value is calculated according to the following formula: hab = tg -1 (b*/a*). Egg yolk viscosity was determined using the Rheo-viscometer. Samples in a cuvette KZ 100 were allowed to reach 20 °C. The determination of viscosity of substances in a range of 0.05 to 106 Pa·s. Due to the size of the cuvette, two homogenized and tempered yolks were measured at the same time. The sample was poured into the cuvette and mixed × 10 by moving a ball inside the cuvette. A total of 15 samples from each group were analysed on a particular date of collection. Viscosity was measured × 3 for each sample of yolks and the arithmetic mean obtained from three measurements was used in further evaluation. A period of 40 s was allowed between individual measurements. Statistical analysis Data were statistically processed for each indicator (L*, a*, b*) and viscosity (Table 1 and Figs 1–3). The dependence of egg yolk colour indicators and viscosity on the addition of beetroot in a feeding dose was tested by using one-factor ANOVA (MS EXCEL 2003). Dependences of the above-mentioned factors on the laying period were based on the mean values in individual collection cycles using two-factor ANOVA. Since we did not expect large differences among experimental groups, null hypothesis (feeding the laying hens with a diet supplemented with beetroot does not affect colour or viscosity of egg yolk) was established for the level of significance α = 0.05. 40

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of age on the proportion of particular fatty acids in the whole bodies of pheasants fattened for up to 118 days of age. In the experiment, 232 chicks of common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were used. In the course of the experiment, the required number of pheasants was randomly selected for analysis at regular 10-day intervals. The age of pheasant chicks had a significant effect on the content of all fatty acids. Significant changes in the proportion of fatty acid groups were recorded mainly at 20, 40 and 60 days of age. By 20 days of age the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids decreased considerably in relation to the increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while the n6/n3 ratio decreased markedly. The content of monounsaturated fatty acids increased between day 20 and day 40, causing a simultaneous decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids. From day 40, the monounsaturated fatty acid content increased gradually till the end of fattening, whereas the reverse trend was observed in the saturated fatty acid content in this period. As for polyunsaturated fatty acids, their presence increased from day 40 to day 60, followed by a gradual decrease till the end of fattening. The results of our work showed the different ability of pheasants to digest and utilize particular fatty acids with varying efficiency throughout their growth. The study brings new findings concerning changes in fatty acid composition of pheasants during fattening. Feathered game, fat composition, fattening, 10-day period

The aim of our study was to determine the effects of selenium supplementation to broiler feed on the content of selenium, total fatty acids in lipids and on the oxidative stability of broiler thigh muscle tissue. The experiment involved 40 broilers fattened for 42 days. During the first three weeks, all broilers consumed starter diet containing 22% crude protein. After three weeks, broilers were divided into two groups and fed finisher diets containing 18% crude protein and supplemented with 3% sunflower oil and 3% linseed oil. Group 1 was not administered artificial selenium; Group 2 was supplemented with organic selenium at the amount of 0.5 mg Se/kg of feed. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) content of selenium was observed in the thigh muscle tissue of Group 2 compared to Group 1 (1.071 and 0.511 mg/kg of dry matter, respectively). The increase of selenium content in feed to 0.5 mg/kg resulted in an increase of total n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (from 5.27% to 6.25%), and in reduction of total monounsaturated fatty acids (from 39.60% to 36.74%) in the lipids of thigh muscle tissue. The increase in total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids induced significant (P < 0.05) lowering of the n6/n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (4.62 and 5.01 for the first and second group, respectively). The increase of selenium content in broiler feed led to a decrease of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P > 0.05) and increase of linolenic acid and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) in thigh muscle tissue of broilers. Since selenium and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are nutricines, our results show that the produced broiler meat may be considered as functional food.

The aim of our study was to compare nutritional quality of oils of legumes (soybean, pea, faba bean and lupin) and oil plants (rape, sunflower, poppy and flax) grown in the Czech Republic. Individual seeds of legumes and oil seeds were analysed for fat content and fatty acid profile. Fatty acids were detected by gas chromatography, following fat extraction. The fatty acid profile was evaluated for contents of fatty acids saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. The highest proportion of fat in the dry matter of seed was found in poppy, followed by sunflower, flax, rape, soybean, lupin, pea, and faba bean. Differences in fat contents between individual plants were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01), except for differences between flax and rape (P ≤ 0.05), pea and faba bean and poppy and sunflower (non-significant). Apart from rapeseed, markedly higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids were found in other oils but rapeseed had the least content of saturated fatty acids. Legumes had a favourable ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids, especially lupin oil (1:4.3), which is in accordance with the recommended ratio 1:5. Sunflower oil is less suitable, with n-3 present in trace concentration. The most significant source of n-3 is flaxseed oil. The study brings new findings regarding oil composition in a wide range of feed components. These data may be used for development of diets for specific purposes and for production of functional food. Fat content, fatty acid, PUFA, n-3, n-6, n-9 Legume seeds contain small amounts of fat and are not grown for the purpose of fat extraction like oilseeds, with the exception of soybean. The fat content in legumes has been studied by a number of authors (Karaaslan 2008; Campos-Vega et al. 2010; Chiofalo et al. 2012); and so has the composition of oilseeds (Eriksson et al. 1994; Bozan and Temelli 2003, 2008; Ozcan and Atalay 2006). Oils contained in legumes, although less discussed, might perform an important nutritional role regarding their fatty acid (FA) profile. An important criterion for oil assessment for dietary purposes is represented by the contents and mutual proportions of fatty acids (FA): saturated fatty acids (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). The quality of fat is most revealed by monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid contents. These groups include essential fatty acids which are important for both human and animal nutrition. Recommendations for human diet are as follows: fat should represent 15–30% of the overall energy intake, of which saturated fatty acids should account for less than 10%, polyunsaturated fatty acids for 6–10%, n-6 for 5–8%, n-3 for 1–2%, and trans fatty acids for less than 1% (Krejci-Treu et al. 2010). Special emphasis is laid on sufficient intake of n-3 FA and mutual proportion of n-3 FA:n-6 FA in the diet. The recommended ratio is 1:5 (Strakova et al. 2008). Fatty acid profiles of various oils are monitored but a more extensive survey of fatty acid profiles of legumes and oil plants grown in the moderate climate of central Europe is still missing. Different authors have analysed profiles of fatty acids in different oilseeds. Perez et al. (2004) and Sabudak (2007) analysed sunflower seeds, Bayrak et al. (2010) analysed different cultivars of flax, while El-Beltagi and Mohamed

The aim of this study was to monitor the carry-over of melamine and its metabolite cyanuric acid from melamine-contaminated feed administered to layers into eggs. Ten experimental Isa Brown layers (36 week of age) were fed melamine-contaminated feed containing 100 mg of melamine per kg of feed. The duration of the experiment was 6 weeks. Eggs were collected during whole experiment. Analysis of eggs was done by a simple extraction of melamine and cyanuric acid residues, using a water-acetonitrile mixture and analysed by gas chromatography - triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Melamine and cyanuric acid residues were detected in all eggs collected from the experimental layers, immediately after the first administration of melamine-contaminated feed. The mean concentrations of melamine in the egg yolk and egg white recalculated on a dry matter basis were 1.90 mg·kg-1 ± 0.158 and 10.84 mg·kg-1 ± 3.951 (P ≤ 0.01); the cyanuric acid contents were 6.54 mg·kg-1 ± 0.2.466 and 4.07 mg·kg-1 ± 0.909, respectively. Melamine and cyanuric acid were not detected in eggs from control layers. Concentrations of melamine and cyanuric acid in eggs decreased quickly after melamine feeding was stopped. Our results indicate that melamine undergoes biotransformation to cyanuric acid in the layer’s body that also passed into the eggs. The results verified the presence of distribution metabolic pathway of melamine and its easiest transfer into egg yolk. Moreover, the biotransformation of melamine into cyanuric acid in eggs of layers was confirmed.

The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional and dietetic values of the meat of chickens of the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.) intensively fattened until 90 days of age to the meat of broiler chickens fattened until 40 days of age. Breast muscles in pheasants contained higher protein content on a dry matter basis (930.57 g·kg-1 in females, 937.23 g·kg-1 in males) and lower fat content (29.58 g·kg-1 in females, 29.92 g·kg-1 in males) as compared to thigh muscles (protein: 781.80 g·kg-1 in females, 810.07 g·kg-1 in males, fat: 163.74 g·kg-1 in females, 140.71 g·kg-1 in males). Breast muscles in both females and males contained less calcium (0.67 g·kg-1 in females, 0.57 g·kg-1 in males) and more phosphorus (10.16 g·kg-1 in females, 9.72 g·kg-1 in males) compared to the thigh muscles in which the mean calcium content was 1.28 g·kg-1 in females and 1.32 g·kg-1 in males, and the mean phosphorus content was 9.31 g·kg-1 in females and 9.23 g·kg-1 in males. Breast and thigh muscles in both female and male pheasants contained higher protein content and lower fat content compared to broiler meat. The calcium content in pheasant meat was lower whereas the phosphorus and magnesium contents were higher compared to broiler meat. Pheasant meat with high content of protein and low fat content is very valuable foodstuff and its dietetic value exceeds that of broiler meat. There is a lack of scientific literature on this subject which has not been studied in detail yet. This study extends the current scope of scientific knowledge in this field.

The aim of this work was to compare gross energy (GE) in breast and thigh muscles in the following six species of feathered game reared in Europe: guineafowl (Numida meleagris), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), chukar (Alectoris chucar), grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Calorimetric analysis revealed significant (P ≤ 0.05) and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences between individual species in the content of energy in breast and thigh muscles. The highest content of energy (recalculated to dry matter) was found in breast muscles from wild turkey (24.75 MJ·kg-1) and Japanese quail (24.57 MJ·kg-1) whereas the highest content of energy (recalculated to dry matter) in thigh muscles was found in Japanese quail and grey partridge. Highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences in the energy content were also found between breast and thigh muscles in all studied game species except for wild turkey. Differences in the content of energy in muscles between individual species occur mainly due to different contents of fat in muscles. This is also confirmed by high correlation coefficients between the content of energy and the content of fat in breast (r = 0.912) and thigh muscles (r = 0.878). Our study provides more specific data on the amount of energy in muscles of major species of feathered game reared in Europe and significantly extends current knowledge in this field.

The present paper extends the current knowledge of biochemical and mineral profiles in selected species of feathered game such as helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), chukar (Alectoris chucar), grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reared in the Czech Republic and throughout Europe. The work evaluates potential interspecies differences among the values and compares the findings with the results reported for related domesticated species of birds. Indicators investigated in the individual species of feathered game such as total protein (TP), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerides (TAG), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Cl varied in ranges typical for layers and broiler chickens. Except for wild turkey where mineral metabolism values reached or even exceeded the upper limit of the physiological range, which may indicate a specific interspecies difference. However, with regard to the wide physiological range of biochemical indicators in the blood of birds, significant (P ⪬ 0.05) and highly significant (P ⪬ 0.01) differences in most mean values for the monitored indicators can not be evaluated as interspecies differences.

The present paper extends the knowledge of selected blood indicators in six species of feathered game such as helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), chukar (Alectoris chucar), grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), reared in the Czech Republic and Europe. The red blood cell (RBC) values in individual species of feathered game ranged as follows: the mean RBC counts varied in a range of 2.10 - 2.58 T/l; haematocrit values were in a range of 0.33 - 0.39 1/1; haemoglobin concentration varied in a range of 101.20 - 129.13 g/l; mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) ranged from 28.63 to 35.44%; mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) varied in a range of 46.15 - 62.07 pg and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 147.66 - 178.20 fl. Except for the total concentration of haemoglobin and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, no significant differences were found between the mean values of RBC values in individual species of feathered game. However, some differences between species were found in white blood cell (WBC) values, ranging as follows: the total WBC count ranged from 13.55 to 26.90 G/l, basophil granulocytes from 0.011 to 0.110 G/l, eosinophil granulocytes from 0.011 to 0.593 G/l, neutrophil granulocytes from 1.868 to 6.661 G/l, lymphocytes from 10.937 to 20.922 G/l and monocytes from 0.034 to 0.199 G/l. Most values showed significant (P ⪬ 0.05) to highly significant (P ⪬ 0.01) interspecies differences. The main goal of the study was to investigate selected haematological indicators in six major species of feathered game.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with rapeseed and linseed oils on changes of the fatty acid profile in porcine meat. The research was conducted on 45 fattening pigs divided into three groups. Group 1 was given a diet with 2% of sunflower oil, group 2 was given a diet with 2% of rapeseed oil and group 3 was given a diet supplemented with 2% of linseed oil. The highest content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the most favourable ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA was determined in the meat of pigs that were fed diets with linseed oil (P < 0.001), whereas the meat of pigs that were fed diets with sunflower oil had an unfavourable ratio of these acids. The results point out the necessity of finding out optimal portions of forages rich in PUFA to improve the ratio of fatty acids in porcine muscle tissue. Pigs, fatty acids, PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio The content and composition of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in human nutrition is important for human health protection. A high content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) contained in food, and an unfavourable ratio of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be a cause of many cardiovascular diseases. Porcine meat contains

The main objective of this experimental study was to determine how diets containing lupin meal affect the performance indicators, carcass value, and chemical composition of breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens. The diets tested in experimental groups E1 and E2 differed as follows: in group E1, one third of nitrogen-containing substances (NSs) from extracted soybean meal was replaced with NSs from lupin meal; in group E2, two thirds were replaced compared to the control group. The replacement of soybean meal with lupin meal in experimental diets failed to produce any significant effect on the average live weight of chickens on Day 42 of the fattening period compared to the control group. The replacement of soybean meal with lupin meal resulted in decreased average weight of carcass and breast muscles and in decreased yield of breast muscles. Differences between the control group (C) and group E2 were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Chickens in group E2 also showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in the yield of the heart and stomach compared to the control group. The differences in weight and yield of thigh muscles between the control group and the experimental groups (E1 and E2) were not significantly affected. As far as chemical composition is concerned, chickens receiving the lupin-containing feed showed a significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase in the ash content in breast muscles. On the contrary, in thigh muscles in group E2, the ash content decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.01). The content of calcium showed an increasing trend in both breast and thigh muscles in both experimental groups. In contrast, the content of magnesium in chicken muscles in both experimental groups decreased. These differences were significant (P ≤ 0.01) only in thigh muscles. Our results show that lupin seed is a suitable substitute for NSs contained in soybean extracted meal. It is considered optimal to replace up to one third of NSs contained in soybean meal with lupin seed. Higher inclusion rate of lupin meal in diets may reduce the growth intensity of chickens, particularly the yield of breast muscles. Due to substantial inter-varietal differences, it is necessary to optimize individual nutrients, particularly amino acids when formulating lupin-containing diets. Broiler chickens, weight and yield of organs and muscles, chemical composition of breast and thigh muscles From a nutritional point of view, the seed of cultivars of the genus Lupinus is a proteinenriched raw material used as feed or in feeding mixtures intended for the nutrition of practically all species and categories of farm animals. For these reasons, lupin growing areas in Europe are expanding. In the Czech Republic, growing and using lupin is not as common as in the neighbouring countries. Ecologically speaking, lupins are promoted because most lupin varieties are not genetically modified. The use of lupins in diets for poultry was tested by a number of authors, for example by Schams-Schargh et al. (1994). Their experiment examined the effect of sweet lupins in diets, particularly the variety Amiga, included at 6, 12, and 18% inclusion rate. The authors concluded that there were no significant differences between the groups in the fattening capacity, the percentage of fat, and the percentage of valuable parts of carcass. RothMaier and Kirchgessner (1994) who tested diets containing up to 45% of white lupin arrived at the conclusion that the supplementation of a diet with up to 20% of white lupin had no adverse effects on the performance of broilers. Similar findings were reported by Lettner

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of two levels of clinoptilolite administered in feed (2% and 4%) on some selected performance indicators, metabolic utilization of basic nutrients and the health status of laying hens. The selected 24 Bovans Goldline hybrid laying hens were divided into three equal groups, two experimental groups (E1 and E2) and one control group (C). The laying hens were housed individually in cages with an automatic supply of drinking water, manual feeding, in a setting with controlled light and temperature regimens. Hens from individual groups were all fed a complete feed mix of the same composition and the only difference was in clinoptilolite supplementation: feed mixes for E1 and E2 groups contained 2% and 4% of clinoptilolite (commercial additive ZeoFeed) respectively, replacing the same amounts of wheat. The hens received feed mixes and drinking water ad libitum. During this 28-day experiment, feed consumption and the number and weight of eggs laid were monitored individually for each hen. At the end of the experiment, the balance test using the indicator method (Cr2O3) was performed in all eight hens in each of the groups. The results of balance tests were then used to calculate the metabolic utilization of selected nutrients (nitrogen, fat, ash, nitrogen-free extracts, starch, gross energy, Ca, P). After the balance tests, blood samples for haematological and biochemical examinations were collected via puncture of the vena basilica. The addition of 2% clinoptilolite to feed mix resulted in a highly significant (P ⪬ 0.01) increase in mean egg weight to 64.69 g, but the addition of 4% clinoptilolite in group E2 resulted in a highly significant (P ⪬ 0.01) decrease in mean egg weight to 62.20 g compared to the control (63.73 g). Moreover, daily feed mix consumption in group E1 decreased to 114 g per one laying hen/day compared to the controls (118 g per one laying hen/day). In group E2 (4% clinoptilolite), daily consumption of feed mix increased compared with the controls to 124 g. The 2% clinoptilolite supplementation of E1 group feed slightly increased metabolic utilization of fat, nitrogen-free extracts, starch and gross energy compared to group C. Results of haematological test of the hens’ blood showed significant changes in haemoglobin, whose values in groups C and E1 were significantly higher (P ⪬ 0.05) than in group E2. Differences in the values of the biochemical indicators monitored (total protein, glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and the AST enzyme) between group C and experimental groups E1 and E2 were not significant and remained within the range of reference values.

A 4-week experiment was carried out on 360 laying hens of the Hy Line Brown hybrid. Laying hens were divided into three groups (C, E1 and E2) with 120 hens in each group and kept in 24 cages. Hens were fed layer diets containing 18% of crude protein and 11.60 MJ ME. Hens in the control group C were fed diets that contained 0.2 mg/kg of inorganic selenium (sodium selenite). Experimental groups E1 and E2 were given diets with increased concentrations of selenium as follows: E1 = 0.4 mg/kg of selenium (sodium selenite), E2 = 0.4 mg/kg of organic selenium (Sel-Plex). Selenium concentration in diets affected significantly the content of selenium in albumen (P < 0.001) and yolk (P < 0.05). The highest concentration of selenium was determined in albumen and yolk of eggs produced in group E2 (345 ng/g and 783 ng/g, respectively), then in eggs of group E1 (230 ng/g and 757 ng/g, respectively), and group C had the lowest concentration of selenium in albumen and yolk (181 ng/g and 573 ng/g, respectively). After 28 days of storage at 4 °C, the eggs containing organic selenium had more freshness (VN: C = 32.9, E1 = 2.60, E2 = 2.11). It was concluded that higher concentration of organic selenium in eggs was a limiting factor in metabolic processes, which positively affected the indicators of egg freshness.

Strakova E., P. Suchý, L. Steinhauser, T. Krejci, R. Pospisil: Influence of Thermally Treated and Untreated Lupin Meal on the Indicators of Performance and Health Condition of Broilers. Acta Vet. Brno 2008, 77: 431-437. The objective of the study was to test the productive effectiveness of complex feeding mixtures for broiler chickens containing lupin meal thermally treated or untreated and to assess their influence on the utility indicators and health condition of broilers. A total of 161 sexed broiler chickens of Ross 308 type were included in the experimental study. The group of cocks (LNM) and hens (LNF) fed a diet containing 10% untreated lupin meal reached a higher mean weight in comparison with the groups consuming a diet with the content of 10% meal treated by heat (LTM and LTF). The cocks in the LNM group reached a higher live weight (2 680.26 g) on day 42 compared with the cocks in the LTM group (2 591.28 g). A significantly higher weight (p ≤ 0.01) was proven in the hens in the LNF group (2 357.25 g) compared with the hens in the LTF group (2 241.22 g) on day 42. Blood was taken from vena basilica on day 42 in order to perform haematological and biochemical tests. In the native blood, the total numbers of erythrocytes (Er), the haematocrit value (Hc), haemoglobin (Hb), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) and total leukocytes volume (Le) were determined. The assessed biochemical indicators in blood plasma included the total protein concentration (TP), glucose (Glu), cholesterol (Chol), catalytic concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), plasmatic calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). The results of haematological and biochemical tests ranged within physiological values. Some differences cannot be associated with the diets tested. The study results suggest the possibility of better utilization of thermally untreated lupin meal (compared with thermally treated lupin meal) for the nutrition of broiler chickens. The results achieved suggest both positive and economic effect (no costs for thermal treatment) in the case of no necessity of thermal treatment of lupin meal, when compared e.g. with soy meal, from the point of view of inactivation of anti-nutritional factors. Chicken feeding, lupin meal, live weight, haematological and biochemical indicators

The objective of this work was to verify the hepatoprotective effects of Silybum marianum seed cakes in feed mixtures used for the fattening of chicken broilers to heavier weights. Part of the experiment was to verify the preventive effect of such modified feed mixtures with the use of chlortetracycline medication. The experiment was carried out on 180 ROSS 308 broiler chickens. The chickens were fed complete feed mixtures containing 0.0% (K), 0.2% (P1 and 1.0% (P2) of Silybum marianum seed cakes. The cakes used contained 2.95% of silymarin. On the 44th day of fattening half of the chickens from every group were supplied with chlortetracycline medicated water at a dose of 2 g kg1 live weight. The selected biochemical indices were observed: cholesterol (Chol), glutamyl transferase (GMT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). On the 52nd day of the test, six chickens from each group were euthanized and their liver was taken for histological examination. Adding Silybum marianum seed cakes resulted in a non-significant decrease in the chickens' live weight and in the feed conversion in both experimental groups compared to the control group. The cholesterol levels were highly significantly lower (p < 0.01) on the 43rd day in group P2, and significantly lower (p < 0.05) on the 52nd day in group P1 when compared to the control group (K). Also the ALT and AST activity was lower (p < 0.01) in both experimental groups on the 22nd day of the experiment. On the 52nd day the lower activity (p < 0.01) was found only for AST in both experimental groups. In the chlortetracycline medicated group P2, cholesterol level (p < 0.05) as well as ALT activity and AST activity decreased (p < 0.01), compared to the medicated control group. Results of biochemical analyses were also confirmed by histological examination of the liver. Administration of silymarin reduced (p < 0.01) the content of lipids and increased the content of glycogen in the liver of both experimental groups.

Strakova E., P. Suchý, M. Sugerkova, M. Machacek: Positive Effect of Plant-Based Diet on the Performance and Health of Laying Hens. acta v et. Brno 2007, 76: S31-S37. an entirely plant-based feed mixture was prepared to minimize the potential risk of transmitting prion infections through animal feed. It consisted of two protein components (soya extracted meal and lupin seed meal) and was compared with a diet containing animal protein components (fish meal). the objective of the present work was to prepare and verify the effect of the entirely plant-based diet on the performance, selected qualitative indicators of eggs and the hens’ state of health. a specially prepared feed mixture containing fish meal was used as a control diet. the tested plant-based diet administered to experimental hens produced no negative effect on egg production variables such as number of eggs per hen or laying performance. the weight of eggs laid by experimental hens was significantly higher (61.66 g, P ≤ 0.01), as compared with the control group (60.03 g). the higher average weight of eggs in the experimental group increased the production of egg mass per layer by 540 g in 252-day experimental period. the beneficial effect of the plant-based diet was demonstrated particularly in the improved egg quality, manifesting itself in a highly significant improvement in yolk colour ( P ≤ 0.01) and a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in cholesterol level in egg yolk. Haematological examination did not indicate statistical differences between experimental and control layers in red blood cell indices such as rBC, haemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCH, and MCv , while white blood cell indices showed a highly significant increase ( P ≤ 0.01) in Le in experimental hens. Biochemical tests performed in blood plasma revealed significantly lower molar concentrations of glucose ( P ≤ 0.05) and highly significantly lower levels of total lipids, cholesterol, lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) in experimental hens (P ≤ 0.01), as compared with the control group. the results of the study confirm that animal protein in diet for laying hens can be replaced by combination of vegetable protein feeds (soybean and lupin protein) without a negative impact on their performance and health, thereby contributing to solving issues of food safety (a prevention of prion infections). Hens, nutrition, egg production, egg quality, haematological and biochemical examination of blood In terms of the safety and quality of raw materials and foodstuffs originating from animals, constant effort in the area of animal nutrition goes into preventing the contamination of feeds with substances that may put human health at risk. the replacement of animal feed with plant-based feed may offer a potentially useful solution to this problem. Due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy in ruminants, a new strategy in the nutrition of animals reared for the production of feed was elaborated. First papers pointing out the option of preparing entirely plant-based diets were published by Suchý et al. (2002) although meat-and-bone meals were an integral part of feed mixtures for poultry (particularly laying hens) at that time. The effect of the diets administered to hens used for production of consumer eggs should be assessed in respect to both egg production performance and egg quality. In this respect, the composition of the egg (i.e. egg shell, egg white and egg yolk) is considered to be the basic indicator to be evaluated, together with the level of egg cholesterol, which reflects consumer health aspects, and egg yolk colour, which characterises egg attractiveness to consumers. the effect of the diets with and without animal protein (meat-and-bone meal)

The paper presents the effects of temperature and feed composition on the stability of lipids in breast and thigh muscles of COBB 500 meat hybrids. The chickens were reared in accordance with the technological procedure. The diet of experimental groups contained Proenergol in combination with Energol; the diet of control group chickens contained Proenergol and soybean oil. In the control groups and in half of the experimental groups, the temperature was reduced in agreement with the technological procedure, while it was kept at the constant level of 31 °C in other groups. The feeding continued up to the age of 42 days. The level of lipid oxidation was determined using malondialdehyde assays. No differences between individual groups of chickens were found in the breast muscle. In the thigh muscle, the introduction of Energol resulted in non-significant differences between the control and chickens kept in heat stress conditions. Negative correlation between lipid oxidation and live weight was established in control chickens fed soybean oil (p < 0.05). This correlation was positive (p < 0.05) in young male chicks fed Energol and kept at constantly increased temperature. Malondialdehyde, feed supplement, temperature regimen, broiler chickens, breast and thigh muscles

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the chemical composition of the seeds of the genus Lupinus and soybeans. The chemical analyses were carried out in frequently grown lupin varieties in Europe (AMIGA, ANDA, ATU, BORUTA, BUTAN, DIETA, JUNO, KARO, PRIMA, ROSE, SONET and WATT) and two locally grown varieties of soybeans (KORADA and VISION). The contents of individual substances in analysed lupin seeds showed large differences in chemical composition of individual lupin varieties (crude protein: 317.06 - 458.86 g kg-1; lipids: 52.15 - 125.76 g kg-1; fibre: 101.21 - 154.23 g kg-1; non-nitrogenous extractive substances: 285.94 - 436.47 g kg-1; starch: 41.31 - 102.65 g kg-1; organic matter: 951.75 - 966.24 g kg-1; ash: 33.76 - 48.25 g kg-1; calcium: 2.29 - 5.10 g kg-1; phosphorus: 4.62 - 8.04 g kg-1; magnesium: 1.36 - 2.51 g kg-1; acid detergent fibre: 133.13 - 209.25 g kg-1). Lupin seeds were characterized by high contents of crude protein; in some varieties they significantly exceeded the content of crude protein in soybeans. In contrast to lupine seeds, soybeans contained a significantly higher content of lipids and lower content of fibre including acid detergent fibre. In lupin seeds, a negative correlation coefficient was found between the crude protein and BNLV content (r = -0.93) and between crude protein and starch content (r = -0.79). A positive correlation (r = 0.76) was found between the starch and BNLV content in lupin seeds. The results of the study provide information not only for growers regarding the choice of individual lupin varieties, but also for breeders who intend to use lupin seeds as suitable components for feed rations and mixtures.

Herzig I., E. Gopfert, B . Pisafiikova, E. Strakova: Testing of Growth Promoting and Protective Activity of the Probiotic Lactiferm in Weaned Piglets. Acta Vet. Brno 2003, 72: 331338. A positive effect of the probiotic product Lactiferm containing Enterococcus faecium M7 4 (NCIMB 11181) as an active component on the performance of weaned piglets was found. Animals of the experimental group had non-significantly higher weight from 4.1 to 11.1% during the entire experiment. However, weight gains in the period between days 15 and 38 of the experiment and total weight gains were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with controls. Feed conversion was 1.905 and 1.872 kg in the control and experimental groups, respectively. The levels of selected biochemical and haematological characteristics ranged within physiological or reference values. No clinical signs of disease were observed in piglets. Enterococcus faecium M 74, performance, metabolic profile, haematological profile Biological preparations with preventive action against various intestinal infections and positive effect on digestibility and utilization of nutrients are common components of the complete feed mixtures for farm animal nutrition. At present, there is a tendency to exclude antibiotics and chemical stimulators from the nutrition of farm animals, therefore biological preparations with stabilized microbial cultures on a carrier as an active substance are administered to animals either as a dietary supplementation or orally in certain time intervals. Preparations of this type are included to the group of additives, are called “probiotics” and several species of microorganisms are used for their production, especially lactobacilli, streptococci, bifidobacteria, bacilli and yeasts. Specific benefits of these additives consist in: - stimulation of the immune system and protective effect by increased formation of antibodies and increased effectiveness of macrophages against pathogenic bacteria; - support of adhesion of lactobacilli to intestinal epithelium; - ability to excrete salmonellae from intestinal tract; - growth inhibition of potential pathogenic microorganisms by decreasing pH through production of lactate, lactic acid and free fatty acids; - enhanced performance (increased weight gains and better feed conversion), and digestion of anti-nutritional substances. The mechanisms of action of probiotics were studied by Gedek (1990), Fuller (1992, 1989), Goldin and Gorbach (1984), Kumprecht et al. (1990), Herich and Levkut (2002) and others. Several authors, e.g. Nguyen (1989), Nguyen et al. (1988), Mi chard and Levesque (1989), Kumprecht et al. (1994), Kumprecht and Zobaa (1998a, b) published the results of in vitro and in vivo experiments in which positive effects of probiotics on various animal species were obtained. Ghadban (2002) reviewed this problem.