The aim of this study was to compare biochemical indicators of blood plasma of laying hens housed in three different housing systems (conventional cage system, enriched cage system and deep litter system). In each housing system, 12 ISA Brown laying hens were observed during the laying period from week 22 to 75 of age. Blood samples for determination of biochemical indicators in plasma were collected during this period in week 22, 47 and 75. Indicators of blood plasma metabolic profi le of laying hens of all monitored groups during the laying period ranged in intervals stated for healthy animals. In some cases, signifi cant differences between housing systems were found, however, these differences do not give clear evidence of the infl uence of the housing system on the health of animals. The differences were apparently due to different effi ciency of each group during the laying period.

The aim of this study was to compare the blood plasma mineral profile (Ca, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu and Se) and egg-shell quality (eggshell weight, eggshell breaking strength and thickness) of laying hens housed in three different housing systems (traditional cage system, enriched cage system and deep litter system). In each housing system, 12 ISA Brown laying hens were observed during the laying period from week 22 to 75 of age. The effect (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) of age and/or phase of the laying cycle on all mineral concentrations was determined. Eggshell breaking strength decreased (p < 0.001) with the age of birds. The results of this study indicate that the housing systems compared had no significant effect on the blood plasma mineral profile of laying hens under study and the values were within the physiological range. However, a significant effect of housing system on eggshell breaking strength and eggshell weight was found. Improved eggshell quality was obtained in most periods of the laying cycle in the enriched cage systems. Blood minerals, egg-shell quality, standard cage, enriched cage, deep litter floorPassage of the Council Directive 1999/74/EC has resulted in the replacement of traditional cages with enriched cages, litter technologies or aviaries to improve the welfare of laying hens. The shell quality remains one of the most important issues for the technology of further egg handling (Ledvinka et al. 2000). However, some authors pointed out that there are differences in eggshell quality and proportion of cracked eggs between different housing systems (Abrahamsson et al. 1995;Abrahamsson and Tauson 1997;Wall and Tauson 2002). Shell quality can be influenced by many factors including mineral nutrition. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are major inorganic constituents of avian eggshells (Cusack et al. 2003). Simons (1976) found small amounts of potassium, copper and zinc in the palisade layer of the eggshell. The presence of sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and copper was confirmed also in the shell membranes (Wedral et al. 1974). The importance of minerals is reflected in changes of arrangement pattern of shell membrane fibres in relation to the structural composition of the eggshell, for example when using copper-and magnesium-deficient diets (Leach and Gross 1983). Traces of magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc were also found in the egg cuticle. Plasma mineral concentrations during the laying period can be influenced by many factors; such as laying rate and energy requirements (Suchý et al. 2001), partial quantitative feed restriction (Sahin and Kucuk 2001), mineral supplements (Eren et al. 2004), ambient temperature (Siegel 1995;Donoghue et al. 1990;Ching 1992;Belay and Teeter 1993; Večerek et al. 2002), production type (Suchý et al. 2004), age of hens (Cerolini et al. 1990;Gyenis et al. 2006), stress (Beisel 1982Combs and Combs 1984; Tufft and Nockles 1991;Klasing 1998), exposure to heavy metals (Zralý et al. 2008), etc.With regard to differences in eggshell quality between different ho...

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Jelinek P., J.IIlek, Ivana Helanova, Z. Frais: Biochemical and Hematological Values in the Blood of Rams during Rearing. Acta vet. Brno, 53, 1984: 143-150.The dynamics of some hematological and biochemical indices was studied in 45 rams reared in a central stock rearing house in the breeding season of 1982/1983. The results showed that the observed biochemical and hematological values correspond with the physiological standard. With advancing age a decrease was observed of the total count of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, inorganic phosphorus and glucose. The nutritional level affected the content of urea and phosphorus in the blood plasma. A negative, highly significant correlation was proved between the age and the glucose level, and a positive, highly significant relationship between the total protein content and amount of wool in the grease and technically clean wool.The data obtained in this study may be employed for evaluation of the health ~tatus and nutrition of rams during rearing. The data may also serve as reference values for Merino ram-Iambs in the respective age categories. Rams, blood picture, nutrition, age, blood plasma, biochemistry.The presumption for a full development of genetic potential of all the productive characters of sheep are suitable environmental conditions during rearing. In order to evaluate their effect upon the developing organisms, however, it is necessary to know as many indices as possible, as they reflect these effects and, signalize the level of nutrient supply, mineral substances, vitamins; at the same time, they manifest the functional condition of the animal. From this aspect most important is knowledge about the basic hematological and biochemical blood indices which holds good especially in the young, developing animals. The importance of these laboratory analyses increases with the loading ofthe organism, may it be the effect of inconventional technology, degree of exploitation, method of nutrition, use of new genotypes, or when evaluating various experimental measures. Many studies have been written dealing with hematological values and metabolic profile of sheep blood (Soliman et al. 1975;Thomas and Axford 1968; Holub et aI. 1969; Sova and Medficky 1972;Hofirek 1978; Jelinek et aI. 1982 Jelinek et aI. , 1983Vrzgula et al. 1965 Vrzgula et al. , 1973Vrzgula et al. , 1982 Underwood 1971;Hennig 1972; BoISedanov 1973;Ried et al. 1974;Vrzgula and Skalka 1977; Jagos et. aI. 1980a). Only few studies were aimed at determination of the basic hematological and biochemical data with respect to age, sex, season, breed, etc.Therefore in the present study the basic hematological parameters and indices of the metabolic profile of blood plasma in Merino rams were studied. Suitability of these indices for evaluation of their nutritional status and metabolic disorders was verified as well.

Selected indicators for the metabolic profile of blood plasma in 22 Aberdeen Angus bulls reared by the extensive method were monitored during postnatal development (from 4 to 564 days of age), including total proteins, albumin, urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, tyroxin, triiodothyronine, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorides, copper, zinc and iron. In assessing the relationship of age to the indicators of the internal environment, values of correlation coefficients for total proteins (r = -0.70; p < 0.01), albumin (r = -0.56; p < 0.01), urea (r = -0.73; p < 0.01), glucose (r = -0.38; p < 0.01) and triiodothyronine (r = -0.82; p < 0.01) were established. Significant relationships were shown between the temperature of the external environment and the amount of total proteins (r = -0.38; p < 0.01), urea concentration (r = -0.41; p < 0.01), ALP (r = 0.58; p < 0.01) and ALT (r = 0.45; p < 0.01) activity. Temperature also showed a significant impact on the concentration of P (r = 0.57; p < 0.01), K (r = -0.69; p < 0.01) and Zn (r = 0.33; p < 0.01). The work yields important information on changes in the indicators of the metabolic profile of the blood plasma of bulls during postnatal development under defined nutritional and temperature conditions that can be used as reference values for evaluating health status as well as nutrition level. Beef cattle, internal environment, blood plasma nutrition status

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