Milena Fantová

Effect of Feeding with Algae on Fatty Acid Profile of Goat’S Milk

Abstract The study was conducted to determine whether the inclusion of algae Chlorella vulgaris in dairy goats’ diets would change the fatty acid profile and increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in goat’s milk. White short-haired dairy goats on 2nd and 3rd lactations were fed 5 and 10 g of dried algae supplementation for six weeks. The fatty acids profile of milk was analyzed using gass chromatography (flame ionization detector (FID)). The addition of dried algae caused changes of the profile of fatty acids in the milk. The more algae were added to the diet, the greater the changes in the fatty acids profile of milk were found. A statistically significant effect (P = 0.0390) was found between the control group and the group supplemented with 10 g of Chlorella vulgaris per goat per day. The greatest effect of dietary treatment was seen in the relative reduction of palmitic acid content and increased oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids content. Results suggested that the addition of algae also increased the nutritional quality of goat’s milk. There was a positive change in the ratio of SFA:MUFA:PUFA in terms of reducing the proportion of saturated fatty acids, as well as a change in the ratio of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs

Effects of age and nutritional status at mating on the reproductive and productive traits in Suffolk sheep kept under permanent outdoor management system

Ptáček M., Ducháček J., Stádník L., Fantová M. (2017): Effects of age and nutritional status at mating on the reproductive and productive traits in Suffolk sheep kept under permanent outdoor management system. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 62, 211–218. This study examined the variability of reproductive and productive traits in Suffolk sheep (a commercial flock, n = 316 ewes) with regard to the dams’ age or the nutritional status of sheep at mating under a year-round outdoor management. Data were collected across a 3-year monitoring period (totally 655 observations). The fixed effects of dam’s age (dams grouped as: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 years and older), ewe’s live weight (LW; ewes grouped as: < 72 kg; 72–83 kg; > 83 kg), and backfat thickness at mating (BT; ewes grouped as: < 7.9 mm; 7.9–10.5 mm; > 10.5 mm) were evaluated. The dam’s age influenced reproductive and productive traits such that 2and 6-year and older ewes reached the lowest values. Ewes with LW > 83 kg had significantly higher lambing rate (11.8%) compared to those with LW < 72 kg. The group of ewes with LW < 72 kg gave birth to a significantly lower number of live lambs in litter (–8.9%) in comparison with LW < 83 kg group. An increase (9.9%; P < 0.01) of total litter weight at birth or an increase (12.5%; P < 0.05) of total litter weight at 100 days of age were detected in LW > 83 kg group compared to LW < 72 kg group. BT > 10.5 mm ewes had by 8.9% lower lambing rate (P < 0.05), by 6.8% lower litter size (P < 0.05), by 14.5% lower number of live lambs in litter (P < 0.01), and by 8.6% lower total litter weight at birth compared to BT < 7.9 mm ewes. A significantly lower total litter weight at 100 days of age (–10.8%) and a significantly lower total litter gain from birth to 100 days of age (–11.5%) were detected in BT > 10.5 mm ewes in comparison to BT 7.9–10.5 mm ewes.

Mechanical quality of leather in Texel lambs and their crossbreds

High quality leather of small ruminants is a valuable raw material for various industrial sectors. Sheep breeding system was significantly re-oriented and focused on meat breeds in the Czech Republic during last 15 years. Therefore, the objective of work was to evaluate effect of Texel blood share and body part on selected quality traits of sheep leather as an additional product of its breeding. A total of 10 leathers of purebred Texel lambs (T100) and 10 leathers of Merino x Texel crossbred (T50) were analysed. The basic indicators of leather quality namely leather thickness (LT, mm), yield strength (YS, μm), tensile strength (TS, MPa), and breaking point (BP, μm) were measured and evaluated in relation to selected factors. LT of cross-breds with 50% share of Texel blood was by 0.1616 (P < 0.001) mm thicker than in pure-bred Texel lambs. Body part of leather significantly (P < 0.05-0.01) affected all characteristics evaluated except BP. Hypothesis stated was confirmed and initial results documented necessity of more detailed further research focusing on leather quality of meat breeds of sheep.

Histochemical Muscle Fiber Characteristics of Texel Meat

The trial was performed on 12 Texel lambs (6 males and 6 females) in selected flock. The lambs were slaughtered at the age of 180 days and samples of musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) and musculus quadriceps femoris (QFM) were collected. The histochemical traits of fiber cross sectional area, diameter and perimeter were monitored. Subsequently the fiber type distribution was calculated and evaluated. The dataset was evaluated using SAS. Significantly higher pH value (+0.88; P < 0.01) was marked in females, while significantly higher L* attribute was observed in males. No differences between males and females were detected in histochemical evaluation. On the other hand significant differences (P < 0.05 to 0.01) were observed in fiber type distribution and cross sectional area parameters of MLLT and QMF muscles. In praxis the results are usable for meat scientists, sheep breeders or the meat industry.