HAVLÍČEK, M., NEDOMOVÁ, Š., SIMEONOVOVÁ, J., SEVERA, L., KŘIVÁNEK, I.: On the evaluation of chicken egg shape variability. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2008, LVI, No. 5, pp. 69-74 Although recently reported models for determining egg shape are highly accurate, certain com pli cated measurements or computations are to be performed. Thus relatively simple and attainable analysis methods of chicken egg shape variability were chosen and used for the purpose of presented research. Sample of 250 eggs of ISA BROWN strain was examined. Geometrical parameters were measured and calculated with following expression of their coeffi cient of variation -namely egg length 3.56 %, egg maximum width 2.84 %, shape index 3.80 %, surface area 5.08 %, and egg volume 7.23 %. The second method consisted in shape quantitative measuring by the score of the principal components of elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFDs). The fi rst four principles components which could explain over 99 % of the egg shape variations were found to be very good measures of the monitored phenomenon. It was found that 87.41 % of the total shape variation can be accounted to length to width ratio. Usefulness and relevance of the shape index usage was confi rmed. chicken egg, shape variability, elliptic Fourier analysis

Máchal L., I. Kfiivánek: Indicators of Semen Quality of Roosters of Three Parental LayerLines and Specific Conductivity of the Semen. Acta Vet. Brno 71, 2002: 109-116. Relations between semen quality and the specific conductivity of the semen was determined in 90 clinically healthy roosters of three parental lines (BPR -04, RIW -06 and RIR -05) in a breeding flock of the Moravia laying hybrids. At the age of 143, 205 and 240 days the volume, sperm concentration and sperm motility was measured in the ejaculates and at the age of 205 and 240 days also the specific conductivity. The average volume of the ejaculate of the cocks of all three parental lines ranged between 0.20 cm 3 and 0.62 cm 3 . On the 143 rd day of age the average volume of the ejaculate was the lowest (between 0.20 cm 3 and 0.30 cm 3 ), and was the highest on the 240 th day (between 0.51 cm 3 and 0.62 cm 3 ). The average sperm motility of the ejaculate was similar; at the beginning of the investigations, i.e. on day 143 of age, it ranged between 31.7% and 54.1%, at the age of 240 days it was higher (66.8% -86.2%). The average sperm concentration was balanced, i.e. between 0.75 ⋅ 10 9 cm -3 and 1.06 ⋅ 10 9 cm -3 . The average total number of sperm (TNS) in the ejaculate and the average total number of motile sperm in the ejaculate of the cocks (TNMS) increased with the age of the cocks. The average TNS increased from the initial 0.16 ⋅ 10 9 -0.32 ⋅ 10 9 on day143 of age to 0.38 ⋅ 10 9 -0.59 ⋅ 10 9 on day 240. The average TNMS also increased from the initial 0.09 ⋅ 10 9 -0.16 ⋅ 10 9 on day143 of age to 0.26 ⋅ 10 9 -0.51 ⋅ 10 9 on day 240. In terms of inter-line difference the lowest average TNMS was reported in cocks of the RIR -05 universal paternal line (between 0.09 ⋅ 10 9 and 0.26 ⋅ 10 9 ) and the highest in cocks of the BPR -04 paternal line (between 0.09 ⋅ 10 9 and 0.51 ⋅ 10 9 ).The average specific conductivity of the ejaculate was measured with four electrodes and ranged between 0.84 S ⋅m -1 and 1.02 S ⋅ m -1 . No marked differences in the average values of the specific conductivity were observed among cocks of the respective lines, but the lowest average specific conductivity was discovered in the ejaculates of cocks with the lowest number of motile sperms (line RIW -06 on the 205 th day of age, i.e. 1.02 S ⋅ m -1 ). Negative correlations were found between sperm concentration and motility and the specific conductivity of the ejaculate in cocks of all the three paternal lines of the domestic fowl (r p = -0.15 to -0.45). The calculated correlations, particularly those that were statistically highly significant or significant (between sperm concentration, sperm motility and specific conductivity of the ejaculate) demonstrated that these properties could be used for complementary examinations of the ejaculate quality. Roosters, sperm, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, conductivityThe qualitative parameters of the ejaculates of roosters are considerably variable. In cocks of the paternal and maternal lines ·teÀo...

The aim of the present study was focused on analysis of reproductive traits in the painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala). The analysis of partial reproductive traits was intended to complete the knowledge necessary for ensuring reproduction of the painted stork in captivity on the required level. The observation was performed in the Zoo Zlín -Lešná from 2011 to 2014. The eggs were measured and weighed after laying and then in several-day intervals. Other observed traits were hatchability of the eggs, number of raised young birds and their weight after hatching. During whole observation period, a total of 90 eggs of the painted stork were evaluated from 12 parental pairs. The average share of fertilized eggs was 38.9 %. Average length of eggs was 68.57 mm, average width was 46.43 mm and average weight was 79.79 g. Average weight loss of eggs during their incubation was 9.87 g. Average hatchability of all the laid eggs was 27.8 %. Average hatchability of the fertilized eggs was 71.4 %. A total of 23 young painted storks were hatched during the observation period. Their average hatching weight was 57.04 g. The overall number of 11 individuals were raised during the four years of observation.

The influence of weaning to oestrus interval, its interaction with parity and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on changes of vaginal impedance in sows after weaning was examined. The impedance measurements were carried out by a four-terminal method. Sows were monitored for oestrus via exposure to a sexually mature boar. The interval from weaning to oestrus was longer in primiparous than multiparous sows (p<0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between the interval from weaning to oestrus and parity. Repeated measures analysis showed that the interval from weaning to oestrus and parity and their interactions had a significant effect on the vaginal impedance in peri-oestrus. The vaginal impedance during pro-oestrus gradually decreased in all groups of sows with the weaning to oestrus interval from 4 to 8 days (p<0.05). In the subsequent period, the vaginal impedance increased and was significantly lower from 1 to 3 days after oestrus onset in sows with the weaning to oestrus interval 7-8 days than 4-6 days. Similarly, the vaginal impedance during pro-oestrus gradually decreased in all groups of sows with parity 1-5 (p<0.01). In the next period, the vaginal impedance increased and was significantly lower from 2-3 days after oestrus onset in sows of parity 1 than parity 2-5. Repeated measures analysis showed that eCG treatment had a significant effect on the vaginal impedance in peri-oestrus. Sows treated with eCG displayed the decrease and increase of vaginal impedance due to oestrus onset earlier than untreated sows. The results indicate that the weaning to oestrus interval, its interaction with parity and eCG markedly affect the vaginal impedance in sows during peri-oestrus.

Proteolysis, dielectric properties and sensory data were measured during ripening of Edam type cheese (30% and 45% FDM). Cheese of different age (1-25 weeks) was analysed. Dielectric properties were used as a method for assessing proteolysis. Permitivity had significantly similar continuance as pH 4.4 total soluble N, both in opposite to sweet milky taste, during ripening period. This paper offers dielectric properties as useful characteristics for assessing proteolysis in cheese.Keywords: Edam cheese; proteolysis; dielectric properties; permitivity; sensory analysis; ripening 86Vol. 18, Czech J. Food Sci.(FDM). The factory processes about 50 000 l of milk a day in a standard manufacturing schedule. Approximately ten lots of 210 Edam blocks are produced. Immediately after salting, six randomly chosen blocks from different batches were cut to thick (about 0.5 kg) slices, five slices each, and vacuum-packed in cryovac foil. Samples were stored at 10°C for future measurements. Immediately after unwrapping from the foil, a 70 by 70 mm sample, 6 mm thick, was taken from the centre of each slice. A continuous measurement of dielectric properties followed.Chemical Analysis: All cheeses were analysed for dry matter (DM, expressed in g/100 g of cheese, oven dried at 102°C for 4 hrs), fat (F, g/100g, acidobutyrimetric method according to VAN GULIK, ISO 3433 [1975 -Sýry. Stanovení obsahu tuku v sýrech. Metoda Van Gulik]), tyrosine, tryptophan and total soluble N according to the spectrophotometric method by VAKALERIS and PRICE (1959).Dielectric Measurements: Samples were analysed at storing temperature 10°C. Fig. 1 represents a schematic diagram of the measuring instrument.The generator produces standard microwave signal with frequency 10 GHz. The phase of the signal in the measuring section is changed when passing through cheese sample. The alternation of the phase is measured in the phase move and changes the phase to the original. The ampli- Sensory Evaluation: Four sensory panellists, familiar with Edam cheese properties, performed the appraisal of sensory characteristics. Middle of the sliced piece was taken for sensory assessment. Colour, sour and milk smells, texture characteristics elasticity and deformability and flavour descriptors salt, bitter, sour, sweet and nutty were graded. All characteristics were graded zero to seven (integers only). The scores presented are the means of grading by all panellists. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONBasic parameters (dry matter and fat), which characterise the tested Edam cheese more closely, are summarised in Table 1. These parameters do not change during the ripening process because of the presence of foil on cheese surface, so they were not measured again.As can be seen from our results, the methods used offer sufficient distinguishing among given samples of different age (Table 2). Each value is a mean of six measurements. The results show an increase of soluble tyrosine, tryptophan and also of total soluble N with prolonged tude of the signal passing through the sample is lower...