Stamen Radulović

Corrigendum to “The effects of dietary Selenium-yeast level on glutathione peroxidase activity, tissue Selenium content, growth performance, and carcass and meat quality of broilers”

Abstract The present study was conducted to assess effects of selenium (Se)‐yeast supplementation on glutathione peroxidase activity, Se levels in tissues, growth performance, carcass, and meat composition in broilers. A total of 275 one‐d‐old Cobb 500 broilers of both sexes were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments during a 42‐d period. The 5 treatments differed only in Se content: group 1 had no additional Se (background only); groups 2, 3, and 4 received 0.3 mg/kg of added Se from the beginning of the trial until d 21, whereas in the second half of the study (from d 22 to 42), these groups received 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mg/kg of added Se, respectively; and group 5 received 0.9 mg/kg of Se for the entire experimental period. At the end of the study, the control group showed significantly lower (P < 0.01) glutathione peroxidase activity in blood plasma compared to Se‐supplemented groups. Regarding Se concentration in various tissues, the groups receiving Se yeast showed higher plasma, feces, and meat Se contents than the control group (P < 0.01). Supplementation of Se improved broilers’ body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Dressing percentage was lower in the control group and the group with 0.3 mg/kg of added Se compared to other experimental groups (0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg of dietary Se). The proportion of less valuable carcass parts (wings and legs) was higher (P < 0.01) in the group fed the basal diet compared to groups supplemented with 0.9 mg/kg of Se. Initial and ultimate pH values differed among experimental groups (P < 0.05). Supplementation of Se improved the broilers antioxidative resistance, growth performance, carcass quality, and chemical composition of meat.

The relationship between the carcass characteristics and meat composition of young Simmental beef cattle

The objective was to study the relationships between the carcass characteristics and meat composition of young Simmental beef, classified with regard to conformation and degree of fatness scores, and total lipid content, depending on gender. For this purpose, 90 animals (60 male and 30 female Simmental beef cattle) were analysed. The results of the study showed that gender affected carcass measurement scores and chemical composition of meat through its important effect on overall animal fatness. Referring to correlations, male carcass conformation score was negatively related to slaughter weight, total lipid content and fatness score. On the other hand, slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weight, dressing percentage and carcass conformation was positively related to fatness score, all of them being significant. However, female carcass conformation score was positively related to slaughter weight, total lipid content and fatness score. Hot and cold carcass weights of female Simmental beef cattle were positively correlated to slaughter weight, total lipid content and carcass conformation score. Carcass conformation score and fatness score were affected by gender of young Simmental beef cattle.

Chemical composition of complete fodder mixes for pig diet during 2007-2009.

Intensive pig breeding implies, among other things, the use of complete mixes in their diet in correspondence with the animals’ age and purpose. In the course of a threeyear period (2007-2009) the accredited laboratory of the Department for Nutrition and Botanics of the Faculty for Veterinary Medicine, Univerisity of Belgrade, analysed 65 fodder mix samples from the territory of Serbia intended for the diet of all categories of pigs, namely: 6 samples of complete mixes for the diet of pregnant sows and gilts, 9 samples of complete mixes for the diet of nursing sows and boar, 4 samples of complete mixes for enhanced diet of piglets, 13 samples of complete mixes for piglets in programme I up to 15 kg, 12 samples of complete mixes for piglets in programme II from 15-25 kg, 10 samples of complete mixes for growing pigs in fattening programme I from 25-60 kg, and 11 samples of complete mixes for pigs in fattening programme II from 60-100 kg. The analyses covered the contents of the elementary nutritive matter and the obtained results were compared with the quality conditions prescribed under the Regulations on the quality of animal feed (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 41/09). It was established that there were certain deviations with regard to the values presented in the Regulations on the quality of animal feed (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 41/09) in the average protein content in complete mixes for piglet diet II, 15-25 kg (17.89±1.19%) and in the mixes for growing pig diet II, 60-100 kg (13.95±0.53%). The established average fat content was lower in the mixes for enhanced piglet diet (5.99± 0.72%) and in mixes for piglet diet I, up to 15 kg (4.95±1.41%). A higher average cellulose content (4.08±0.73%) was established in mixes for enhanced piglet diet. Furthermore, significant differences from the values prescribed under the Regulations were established in certain samples. The established differences in the chemical composition of certain samples of the examined mixes without a doubt indicate the need for constant and multilevel monitoring of raw materials and finished products in order to preserve health and to ensure the best possible utilization of the production potential of animals. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46002: Molekularno-geneticka i ekofizioloska istraživanja u zastiti autohtonih animalnih genetickih resursa, ocuvanja dobrobiti, zdravlja i reprodukcije gajenih životinja i proizvodnji bezbedne hrane]