Marie Čechová

Analysis of Possible Influence of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Growth Performance and Losses of Piglets

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the feed ration for lactating sows with the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the growth performance and losses of piglets from birth to weaning. The monitoring comprised 20 litters in control and 20 litters in experimental group of Czech Large White × Czech Landrace hybrid combination sows. The control group was given a standard feed mixture for lactating sows, and experimental group was fed with the feed mixture supplemented with 2% of CLA, from the day of farrowing to the weaning of piglets, that is for the time of 28 days. The results of the experiment indicate the significantly better parameters of the numbers of reared piglets in the experimental group and the related lower level of losses of piglets from birth to weaning (p < 0.01). However, the feed mixture for lactating sows enriched in conjugated linoleic acid had no significant effect on the growth performance of piglets from birth to weaning (p > 0.05). Sows in the experimental group showed earlier onset of post-partal oestrus after weaning of piglets (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the supplementation of diet for lactating sows with CLA can improve survival of piglets from birth to weaning and shortening of weaning-to-oestrous interval in sows.

The effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the production performance of gilts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in feed mixtures influences the parameters of production performance in gilts. The experimental work was realized in operating conditions of a production pig farm. Total number of 40 gilts (20 gilts in control group and 20 gilts in experimental group) of hybrid combination Czech Large White x Czech Landrace (CLW x CL) were included in the observation. During the experiment the gilts kept for rearing were fed with a control compound feed and an experimental compound feed suplemented with 2% of CLA for the time of 65 days. At the beginning and the end of the experiment, performance tests were conducted in accordance with the methodology of CSN 466164 on Performance and progeny testing in pigs. The gilts in the experimental group reached higher weight 148.05 ± 15.80 kg versus 135.75 ± 17.60 kg (P < 0.05) at the end of the test. The evaluation of mean achieved daily gain for the time from birth to the end of the test confirmed higher values for the gilts in the experimental group 586.05 ± 66.64 g*day-1 against 539.00 ± 62.19 g*day-1 for the gilts in the control group (P < 0.05). Within other parameters of efficiency in gilts, i.e. lean meat content, backfat thickness and depth of MLLT muscle, no significant influence of CLA on their phenotypic manifestation was found. The results of study indicate, that the supplementation of feed mixture for rearing gilts with conjugated linoleic acid can influence the growth ability of gilts.

Carcass traits and meat quality of pigs fed on fodder supplemented with sunflower oil or conjugated linoleic acid

The aim of the study was to compare meat and fat content and meat quality of pigs fed diet supplemented with sunflower oil (SFO) or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and animals not receiving the supplement SFO or CLA (control group). The experiment consisted of 116 pigs, divided into three groups: two experimental (n = 40) where animals were fed feed supplemented with 2% sunflower oil (SFO) or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and control (n = 36). Fattening pigs were kept and fed in standardized conditions. The animals were slaughtered at a body weight of 120 kg. Meat quality traits (pH, drip loss, backfat fat content, colour, MLLT muscle dry matter content, fat in the dry matter, IMF in MLLT) were determined. Summarizing obtained results it should be concluded that 2% sunflower oil or conjugated linoleic acid did not affect the meat quality. The experimental animals were characterized by high meat content (58.26% - SFO addition; 57.63% - CLA addition; 57.99% C group) and low fat content (from 14.35 mm in SFO group up to 14.70 mm in CLA group).

Analysis of intravital assessment results in purebred and crossbred boars

MILEwSKA, w., FALKOwSKI, J., CECHOVa, M.: Analysis of intravital assessment results in purebred and crossbred boars. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2005, LIII, No. 4, pp. 81-86 1879 purebred boars: Duroc (D), Hampshire (H) and Pietrain (Pn) as well as their two-crossbreds (D x H, H x D, Pn x H, H x Pn, Pn x D, D x Pn) were analysed after a living assessment completed be tween 1995–1998 within the area of activity of the Animal Breeding Station in Olsztyn. The standardized daily gains in body weight ranged between 594 g (H) and 628 g (Pn x D). The thinnest backfat layer was observed in Pietrain boars and their crossbred boars. The height of loin eye was the best for boars Pn and for all crossbred animals. The lean content in the body of the assessed boars ranged from 56.2% (H) to 60.0% (Pn). The highest value of selection index was found for Pn boars (124 points) and cross bred boars Pn x D and Pn x H, the lowest index value was observed for purebred H boars (109 points). The correlation coefficient between the index and daily gains range from 0.69 (P ≤ 0.01) (H) to 0.91 (P ≤ 0.01) (H x D), between the index and the height of loin eye range from 0.57 (P ≤ 0.01) (H) to 0.75 (P ≤ 0.01) (Pn) and between the index and the lean content range from 0.13 (P ≤ 0.05) (H) to 0.71 (P ≤ 0.01) (Pn).