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The monitoring of metals and other chemical elements in the basic sources of diet, mainly for children, is very important for preventing health issues. The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of selected essential (Ca, K, Mg, Mo, Na, Zn) and non-mutagenic elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Li, Sb, Sr) in ewe milk from the Orava region in northern Slovakia. Twenty milk samples were analysed in June and August using an inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The differences in elements concentration between the seasonal periods were not significant (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lactation on the concentration of selected essential and toxic elements in sheep milk from an area of Slovakia with a potentially undisturbed environment and to find out the actual contamination of the selected area, in the aspect of its environmental character. The research was conducted with 400 sheep (Tsigai breed), and the milk samples were taken during the lactation periods (early, middle and late lactation stage). Sheep were reared on the extensive pastures, reared indoors afterward, fed with pasture ad libitum. Milk samples were collected after morning and afternoon milking. The samples of milk were analysed toxic and essential elements (Ca, Se, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) by the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The macro elements concentration in milk changes following the stages of lactation (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental housing conditions on the milk yield of dairy cows. Measurements were taken in the summer period from June to September 2020 and in the winter period during January 2021 on a large-capacity farm of Holstein Friesian cattle. Cows were housed in free stall barn with the lying boxes and selected during the second or third lactations, in the summer period from the 51st day to the 135th day and in the winter period from the 64th day to the 120th day of lactation. The average temperature in the housing was 23 °C in summer, and 7.05 °C in winter. The average THI (thermal humidity index) value in summer was 70.43, but during the day the THI values sometimes reached 75. The dairy cows were therefore exposed to heat stress during summer. Increasing THI and temperature values negatively affected the milk yield, as there was a negative correlation between both THI and milk yield (r = -0.641; p

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of bee bread powder addition into Japanese quails’ diet on the amino (AA) and fatty acids (FA) composition of their breast and thigh meat. A total of 80 one-day-old quails were assigned to four groups: control group without any supplementation, 1. experimental group fed with bee bread supplementation in amount 0.2% of feed mixture (FM), 2. experimental group fed with bee bread supplementation in amount 0.4% of FM, and 3. experimental group fed with bee bread supplementation in amount 0.6% of FM. The feeding period lasted 56 days. Based on our results we can state that the bee bread powder supplementation did not influence the AA and FA composition of the valuable meat parts of Japanese quail. However, thanks to the favourable AA and FA content and undemanding breeding of Japanese quails, we highly recommend using this type of meat in the human nutrition.

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-15 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.145-149 The aim of the study was to determine the effect of training process on changes of quantitative and qualitative indicators of the movement mechanics of sport horses. A load controller was used to evaluate the motion mechanics. The training load was divided into three stages with different lengths, speeds and degrees of load. Tested animals were 14 horses of Slovak Warmblood breed. Our results have shown that gradual increase of load in the tested horses resulted in better spaciousness of movement, which was reflected in the elongation of the horse´s stride, regular movement and significant energy of the pelvic limbs (p

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-14 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.89-92 High-yielding dairy cows have several critical periods during lactation. These include the drying period, parturition, postpartum period and the first 100 days of lactation. The mineral profile displays the balanced feed ration appropriate for the category. Therefore, investigation of serum mineral profile of dry cows and cows in 12 th week after calving was the aim of this study. In this work 12 high producing Holstein Friesian dairy cows from dairy farm were used. The analysed elements Ca 2+ , P, Na + , K + , Mg 2+ and chlorides (Cl - ) were determined at 4 th week after drying and during 12 th week after calving. The data obtained were compared with the standard for dairy cows. Compared to reference interval, before calving 8 and after calving 5 cows had hypocalcaemia. Hypophosphatemia was detected for 2 cows before calving and 3 after calving. For the other elements Na, K, Mg 2+ and chlorides (Cl - ) no deviations from the reference intervals were found. In blood serum mineral profile between dry cows and cows in 12 th week of lactation significant differences were found for Mg Cl - (increase) and K (decrease). Results shown, that main problem of dry and lactating cows was the hypocalcaemia and partly the hypophosphatemia. Keywords: metabolic test, mineral profile, blood serum, dairy cow References Aiello, S. E. (1998). The Merck veterinary manual (No. Ea9 DEPOSITO FV). Bertoni, G., Trevisi, E., & Lombardelli, R. (2009). Some new aspects of nutrition, health conditions and fertility of intensively reared dairy cows. Italian Journal of Animal Science , 8 (4), 491-518. 10.4081/ijas.2009.491 Blood, D.C., &Radostits, O.M. (1994). Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses. 8 th ed. W.B. Saunders Co. Burke, C. R., Meier, S., McDougall, S., Compton, C., Mitchell, M., & Roche, J. R. (2010). Relationships between endometritis and metabolic state during the transition period in pasture-grazed dairy cows. Journal of dairy science , 93 (11), 5363-5373. 10.3168/jds.2010-3356 Donat, K., Siebert, W., Menzer, E., & Sollner-Donat, S. (2016). Long-term trends in the metabolic profile test results in German Holstein dairy herds in Thuringia, Germany. Tierarztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Grostiere/Nutztiere , 44 (02), 73-82. 10.15653/TPG-150948 Gross, J., van Dorland, H. A., Bruckmaier, R. M., & Schwarz, F. J. (2011). Performance and metabolic profile of dairy cows during a lactational and deliberately induced negative energy balance with subsequent realimentation. Journal of dairy science , 94 (4), 1820-1830. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3707 Hadžimusic, N., & Krnic, J. (2012). Values of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations in blood plasma of cows in dependence on the reproductive cycle and season. Journal of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istambul University, 38 (1), 1-8. Hanusovský, O., Simko, M., & Biro, D. (2017) Kontinualne sledovanie parametrov bachoroveho prostredia využitim prenosu dat nizkofrekvencným signalom. Nitra: Slovenska poľnohospodarska univerzita v Nitre, ISBN 978-80-552-1746-8. Hofirek, B., Dvořak, R., Němecek, L., Doležel, R., & Pospisil, Z. (2009). Nemoci skotu. 1. vyd., Brno: Noviko as, Ceska buiatricka spolecnost, 1149 s. Jovanovic, J.M., Rajic, I., Pesterac, V., Crcev, D., & Cokrevski, S. (1997). Parametri krvi visoko steonih i tek oteljenih krava hranjenih obrocima razlicitog sastava. Veterinarski Glasnik 51, 231-244. Kahn, C. M. (2005). The Merck Veterinary Manual 9th ed. White house station, NJ, USA, Merck & CO. Kaneko, J.J. (2008). Carbohydrate Metabolism and Its Diseases. In: Kaneko, J.J., Harvey, J.W., Bruss, M.L., (Eds.), Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals. 6 th ed. New York, Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012396305-5/50004-X Kantikova, M., & Balažik, T. (2003). Diagnostika metabolických poruch alebo prevencia. Slovenský chov , 8 (7), 39-40. Kraft, W. (Ed.). (2005). Klinische labordiagnostik in der tiermedizin . Schattauer Verlag. LeBlanc, S. J., Leslie, K. E., & Duffield, T. F. (2005). Metabolic predictors of displaced abomasum in dairy cattle. Journal of dairy science , 88 (1), 159-170. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72674-6 Palmer, L. S., & Eckles, C. H. (1927). Effect of Phosphorus Deficient Rations on Blood Composition in Cattle. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine , 24 (4), 307-309. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-24-3341 Prodanovic, R., Kirovski, D., Jakic-Dimic, D., Vujanac, I., & Kureljusic, B. (2010). Telesna kondicija i pokazatelji energetskog statusa krava u visokom graviditetu i ranoj fazi laktacije. Veterinarski glasnik , 64 (1-2), 43-52. 10.2298/VETGL1002043P Schroder, B., & Breves, G. (2006). Mechanisms and regulation of calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract in pigs and ruminants: comparative aspects with special emphasis on hypocalcemia in dairy cows. Animal Health Research Reviews , 7 (1-2), 31. 10.1017/S1466252307001144 Samanc, H., Stojic, V., Kirovski, D., Jovanovic, M., Cernescu, H., & Vujanac, I. (2010). Thyroid hormones concentrations during the mid-dry period: An early indicator of fatty liver in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Journal of thyroid research , 2010 . https://doi.org/10.4061/2010/897602 Simko, M., Biro, D., Ceresňakova, Z., Juracek, M., & Galik, B. (2009). The effect of wheat and maize meal on rumen fermentation and apparent nutrient digestibility in cattle. Slovak Journal of Animal Science , 42 (Supplement), 99-103. Slanina, Ľ., & Sokol, J. (1991). Vademecum veterinarneho lekara . Bratislava, Priroda.

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-22 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.131-134 A prerequisite for the successful pig breeding isthe achievement of high reproductive performance, which can be influenced by several environmental factors. Therefore, the aim of our research was to assess the impact of the season, microclimatic indicators and technology of housing of the lactating sows on the number of the weaned piglets in the litter. The experiment was performed on a production farm in Slovakia and a total of 800 litters were evaluated. The results have shown that the season had a statistically significant effect on the number of the weaned piglets ( p

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of musculus longissimus dorsi in the breeds of Mangalitsa and Large White with regard to the slaughter weight. Large White (LW) breed and White Mangalitsa (Ma) breed were used in the experiment. The system of housing and feeding was the same in both of the monitored breeds. The pigs were fed with the same feeding mixture ad libitum. According to the slaughter weight, the pigs were divided into three groups: up to 100 kg, 101 – 110 kg and over 110 kg. The breed Ma had a significantly lower drip loss than the breed LW. Evaluating the color of the meat, the LW breed has showed significantly higher L* (lightness, white ±black) and lower a* (redness, red ± green) values than the Ma breed. Within the chemical meat composition, the Ma breed had a significantly higher water content in MLD compared to the LW breed. Generally, there were no major differences in the meat quality between the Mangalitsa and Large White breeds. Finally it can be concluded that the breed Mangalitsa showed more favorable values of the physico-chemical indicators. Comparing the quality of the meat with regard to the slaughter weight, there were no large differences between individual weight groups. A higher slaughter weight has positively influenced mainly the color of the meat, as pigs weighing more than 110 kg achieved a significantly lower value of L* and a higher value of a* in comparison to pigs of the lower weight. As a positive effect of a higher slaughter weight can be considered its effect on the protein content in the meat, as pigs weighing over 100 kg have a significantly higher protein content in the meat than pigs weighing below 100 kg.

Count of red deer in some areas of Slovak republic exceeds standard count. To these areas belongs as well Protected Landscape Area Štiavnické vrchy (N48°24'42'' E18°52'21''). High count of is a risk for spread of viral, bacterial as well as parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was to determined and evaluated prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Protected Landscape Area Štiavnické vrchy in year 2016. Monitoring was realized through cooperation between Department of Veterinary Sciences at Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra and District Veterinary and Food Administration in Zvolen as well as with Hunting Associations acting in area of Štiavnické vrchy. Total 120 faecal samples (10 from each month of the year 2016) was analysed using flotation method and eggs and oocysts were identified. Highest prevalence was detected by Trichostrongylus axei, Eimeria spp. and Spiculopteragia boehmi. Prevalence of endoparasites is affected by age structure of red deer and then by using antiparasitics, climatic condition. Result of these was, that prevalence of total gastrointestinal parasites was lowest during months January to March, when Hunting Associations realised regular worming. The highest prevalence of total gastrointestinal parasites was in months July to December, when the relative humidity is higher and to red deer population belongs as well new offspring, which has high predisposition to gastrointestinal parasites.

The aim of this work was to evaluate basic chemical composition (% of water, protein, fat and cholesterol) of breast and thigh muscle after supplementation with Alibernet red grape pomace (RGP) into diet of broiler chickens Ross 308. At the beginning, 200 one-day Ross 308 broiler chickens of mixed gender were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=50). The control group (C) did not receive any additional supplementation. The feed of experimental group E1 was enriched with 1% RGP per 1 kg of feed mixture (FM), experimental group E2 with 2% RGP per 1 kg of FM and experimental group E3 with 3% RGP per 1 kg of FM. The FMs were produced without any antibiotics and coccidiostatics and the fattening period lasted for 42 days. Based on the results, we can state that the application of red grape pomace did not significantly affect the chemical composition of the breast muscle except of higher fat content (P≥0.05) in all experimental groups compared to control group (♂, ♀). In the case of thigh muscle, we found significantly higher (P≤0.05) water content (♂) in control group (71.26 g.100 g-1) compared to experimental groups E2 (70.04 g.100 g-1) and E3 (69.51 g.100 g-1). We also found significant differences (P≤0.05) in crude protein content (♂) between experimental group E3 (21.91 g.100 g-1) compared to experimental groups E1 (21.63 g.100 g-1) and E2 (21.59 g.100 g-1). Overall, it seems like that supplementation with RGP in selected amounts did not have significant beneficial effect on chemical composition of chicken meat compared to control group.

The impact of the length of pig housing in the slaughterhouse and the season on the meat quality of pigs was analyzed in the experiment. There were altogether 104 commercial pig hybrids used in the experiment weighing from 100 to 130 kilograms. The acidity of meat was assessed 45 minutes after slaughter in the longest back muscle - pH 1 MLD and the semimembranosus thigh muscle – pH 1 MSM. We found the lower pH1 value in MLD muscle (6.07) compared to MSM muscle (6.22) (P

The aim of the experiment was to assess the impact of different temperature at the slaughterhouse on the pork quality. Two thousand eleven commercial pigs hybrids, weighing 100-130 kg were used in the experiment. Acidity of meat and muscle temperature were assessed 45 minutes after slaughter in Longissimus muscle between the next to last and last thoracic vertebrae (musculus longissimus dorsi, pars thoracic) – pH1 MLD, and the geometric center semimembranosus thigh muscle (musculus semimembranosus) - pH1 MSM. Pigs were divided into groups according to the temperature during housing in slaughterhouse using quartile distribution. As the mean temperature of outer environment increased, the average pH1 MLD (P

The aim of the experiment was to assess the impact of different temperature during transportation on the pork quality. Two thousand eleven commercial pigs hybrids, weighing 100-130 kg were used in the experiment. Acidity of meat and muscle temperature were assessed 45 minutes after slaughter in the longest back muscles between the next to last and last thoracic vertebrae (musculus longissimus dorsi, pars thoracis) – pH1 MLD and T MLD, and in the geometric center semimembranosus thigh muscle (musculus semimembranosus) – pH1 MSM and T MLD. Pigs were divided into groups according to the temperature during housing in slaughterhouse using quartile distribution. Experiment results show that increase of average daily temperature during the transport resulted in worse quality of meat in MLD which was shown in pH1 MLD decrease and the temperature MLD increase. More significant pH1 (5.97) decrease occurred during average daily temperature higher than 15.0 °C and at this temperature the most significant temperature increase occurred in MLD muscle. Also the pH1 MSM indicator showed decrease in average values due to average outer temperature increase. The lowest pH1 MSM (6.22) value was detected in the group with average daily temperature during transport above 15 °C. Lower pH1 values were detected in musculus longissimus dorsi.

Nowadays breeding has become the problem often solved in European states and it has been paid much attention by breeding organizations. In terms of hippology as well as some urgent requirements from the side of nonius breeders we have focussed on this particular breed especially from the reason of its further survival and development in Slovakia. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the growth indicators as well as the achievement level of the stallions since 1927 to the present. Based on our research of the nonius body lines we can state that at present there are 3 stallions that are followers of the N VIII horse line founder. In general, there are 12 stallions that are active within this breed in Slovakia. It was statistically confirmed that this particular breed grew much stronger through the goal-directed breeding work, improved nutrition as well as the immediate breeding site. It was quite complicated to evaluate the performance tests because the individual indicators were significantly influenced by the subjective views of the commitee members performing the evaluation. The next factor which prevents the objective evaluation is the fact that in the period up to 1979, the performance tests were valued by the 100 point system and from the year 1980 by the 10 point system. That is why we take the performance test results into account only as supplemental ones, which can provide a kind of amendment to the observed biological parameters.

In our work we analysed the heart frequency of 11 warmblood horses on the load regulator of motion. The test lasted 3 weeks with gradual increase of load. The load was applied only in a step with gradual increase of time of load in up-sloping direction. The mean values of heart frequency of tested horses were within 61 beats/min. At the evaluation of maximum value of heart frequency we detected its twofold increase in comparison with mean values. The maximum rate of heart frequency under load was at the level of 147 beats/min. Detected values were not statistically significant which confirms that the load on tested horses was not causing any physiological changes.

The structure of the small intestine of neonatal pigs has an important effect on immunoglobulin absorption. The aim of the experiment was to observe changes in the mucous membrane and the presence of immunoglobulins in the intestines of piglets during the first hours of their postnatal lives. In total, 80 piglets of the Large White breed were divided into two groups of 40 pigs. One group (control) came from an infection-free breeding, the other (experimental) group came from a breeding with the reproduction and respiration syndrome of pigs. Samples (n = 80) of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken at intervals of 0, 3, 6 and 12 h after colostrum intake in order to carry out histological tests. Primary pig antibodies were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The low content of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM was detected in all segments of intestines of precolostral piglets. Difference (P < 0.05) in size of the mucous membrane was found in the duodenum at the interval of 0, 3 and 6 h (46.03%), in the jejunum at 0 and 12 h (45.98%) and in favour of the control group. Compared to the control group, more Ig (P < 0.01) antibodies were observed in the experimental group: in the duodenum IgG at 12 h (37.22 vs. 10.81%), IgA, 6 h (43.29 vs. 16.71%), IgM, 12 h (25.29 vs. 8.40%), in the jejunum at IgG 12 h (23.97 vs. 9.96%), IgA, 0 h (0.48 vs. 0.37%) and IgM, 3 h (21.80 vs. 10.10%), in the ileum IgG, 0 h (0.38 vs. 0.29%), IgA, 3 h (20.46 vs. 6.45%), IgM, 3 h (31.5 vs. 12.29%). We can conclude that the colostrum intake and the presence of reproduction and respiration syndrome of pigs resulted in changes of microscopic structures of intestines as well as in the presence of Ig in piglet intestines. These mucosal changes significantly affect the development of passive immunity in piglets in the postnatal period. Immunity, immunohistochemistry, histology, gut, piglets Immunoglobulins taken from colostrum during the first hours after birth play an important role in the postnatal development of the immune system. Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins which consist of 82–96% proteins and 4–18% carbohydrates (Biss et al. 2002). Immunoglobulins have two main functions. First, they recognize and take up an antigen and then they activate the body’s defence mechanism. According to Roitt et al. (2001), immunoglobulins are responsible for contact between the substances strange to the body and phagocyting cells. Antibodies are also able to affect viruses and bacterial toxins by the process of neutralization (Roitt et al. 2001). The acquisition of humoral immunity through the transfer of IgG from mother to offspring shows species-specific differences (Cervenak and Kacskovics 2009). Klobasa et al. (1991) claimed that pigs have the following categories of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgA and IgM as well as their sub-categories. A piglet is able to take mainly IgG via colostrum during its first 24–36 h after birth to secure its humoral immunity. Local protection of intestinal mucosa with the help of IgA is ensured via milk intake (Wagstrom et al. 2000). Passive immunity is secured by colostrum and milk intake till sufficient production of antibodies starts (3–5 weeks). The gut closure is a limiting factor for immunoglobulin intake; tt is defined as the final transport of immunoglobulins via basolateral membrane of entocytes into the blood stream of piglets (Rooke and Bland 2002). Absorption capacity of enterocytes is not ACTA VET. BRNO 2013, 82: 317–322; doi:10.2754/avb201382030317 Address for correspondence: Ing. Tomas Kanka, PhD. Department of Veterinary Discipline Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources Slovak University of Agriculture Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia Phone: +421 376 414 504 E-mail: Tomas.Kanka@uniag.sk http://actavet.vfu.cz/ influenced only by the time from birth but also by the time of colostrum intake or intake of other substances. Enterocytes of the small intestine receive immunoglobulins of colostrum by non-specific macrocytosis and they store them in vacuoles. The enterocytes created in embryo before birth have this ability of pinocytosis. Enterocytes created after birth do not have the ability of pinocytosis of unharmed proteins. Enterocytes receive immunoglobulins and other macromolecules also after gut closure but these are not transferred into the neonatal blood stream (Klobasa et al. 1991). The resistance of pigs to viruses, bacteria and parasites is influenced by concentration of immunoglobulins and therefore, the colostrum of sows is a source of the first protection of piglets against pathogens (Kovařů et al. 2002). Performance of pigs is directly affected by the pigs’ health status (Bucko et al. 2012). The aim of our research was to study the structure of duodenum, jejunum and ileum of piglets during the first 12 h after birth and to determine the presence of Ig (IgG, IgM, IgA) in their small intestines before and after the colostrum intake. Materials and Methods In the experiment 20 sows of the breed Large White × Landrace were used. The sows were divided into two groups, one (experimental, n = 10) group with reproduction and respiration syndrome of pigs (RRSP) and the other one (control, n = 10) without infection. The average body weight of sows was 185 ± 25 kg. Four piglets were taken from each sow (totally 80 piglets). The piglets were selected immediately after birth and before the colostrum intake at intervals of 0 h (20 piglets), 3 h (20 piglets), 6 h (20 piglets) and 12 h (20 piglets) after the colostrum intake. The piglets of both groups received colostrum up to half an hour after birth. The autopsy of piglets was carried out with dietylether (25 ml) after their euthanasia. The samples (size 5 × 5 mm) for histological and immunohistochemical testing were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The intestine of each piglet was washed by saline before the sample was taken. For the purpose of histological studies, the samples were fixed in 10% formol. After washing, the samples were submerged in paraffin. The rotary microtome (MicroTec, Laborgerate GmbH, Walldorf, Germany) was used to prepare histological slices (7–8 μm) that were stained by haematoxylin-eosin. Deparaffinized a dehydrated slices were used for immunohistochemical reactions with primary pig antibodies produced on rabbits (Bethyl Laboratories, Montgomery, USA). The results were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. Statistical and graphical evaluations were performed by using light microscope (Olympus Provis AX) and by program used for evaluation of individual morphological structures-Statgraphics ver.7, Image ProPlus (Spectra Services Inc, NY). Significance (P < 0.05) was evaluated by Duncan test using the program SAS system 9.1. (SAS Institute Inc.). The experiment 1/0662/11-1 was approved by the ethics committee and realized as a part of project n. 1/0662/11.

In the experiment we judged the influence of genetically modified plants on the fattening-, carcass-, and pig quality parameters. We have recorded better fattening parameters in the group fed with the GM crops. We recorded statistically provable differences in the number of the test fattening days (30 – 100 kg), in the lifelong average daily gains, in the test fodder consumption (30 – 100 kg). We have recorded better carcass indicators in the group fed without the GM plants, which was statistically confirmed in the valuable meaty parts as well as thigh portions. There were no statistically provable differences found out in the meat quality indicators between the groups.

It is known that organic selenium (Sel Plex) supplemented to pig feed mixture is significant for effective transport of essential element selenium to the food chain. It enables to create important body deposits of selenium in skeletal muscles and it also increases selenium transfer in natural metabolic form of selenomethionine into functional food. The intake of feed mixture with increased organic selenium at the dose of 0.3 mg kg-1 probably increases selenium concentration in MSM (musculus semimembranosus) - experimental selenium group 1.293 mg kg-1 and control group 0.513 mg kg-1 and in MLT (musculus longissimus thoracis) - experimental selenium group 1.364 mg kg-1 and control group 0.506 mg kg-1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the selenium and total antioxidant status (TAS) in a selected group of healthy people. Twenty-five volunteers consumed pork meat enriched with organic selenium three times a week during one month (average age in 9 men was 51.2 years, in 16 women 39.06 years, respectively). Daily selenium intake of 110 ?g was calculated by Alimenta software, version 4.3 on the basis of nutrition statement. Recommended daily selenium intake of 50 - 200 ?g was stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). During the research, the volunteers consumed pork enriched with 35 ?g of selenium. At the begining the mean selenium concentration in blood serum was at 75.41 ? 14.18?g l-1 in men, 75.21 ? 15.20?g l-1 in women. After two weeks of consumption pork enriched with selenium, the average selenium concentration in blood serum in men and women increased to 86.69 ? 11.72 ?g l-1 and 87.93 ? 16.22 ?g l-1 respectively. At the end of the study the average selenium concentration decreased in men and women to 85.75 ? 2.72 ?g l-1 to 84.07 ? 15.62 ?g l-1 respectively. In the selected group of healthy people the total antioxidant status increased from 1,68 mmol.l-1 to 1,86 mmol.l-1 after two weeks of consumption of pork enriched with selenium. However, at the end of the research the decrease in TAS was recorded. Improvement in selenium status has positive impact on human health, and thus our results could contribute to the new trends in the production of functional food.

In the experiment, 367 hybrid meat pigs were tested. Transport of all observed pigs took 1 hour to get to a slaughterhouse. The housing period of the observed groups in the slaughterhouse took 1, 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 41 hours. The pH value was measured in the musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) as well as in musculus semimembranosus in the thigh meat (MSM) 45 minutes after slaughter. The highest average pH MLD value (6.36) was recorded in the group of pigs that were housed in the slaughterhouse for the shortest period of time. The average pH MLD value in pigs with the shortest period of housing was statistically arguably higher (P

Horse breeding program is based on an assessment of their exterior, and is largely influenced by the performance. The objective of the work was to analyze the performance characteristics of cold-blooded horses in Slovakia using test of performance characteristics through carriage race. By evaluating the higher forms of utility control we concluded that scores in individual disciplines were very balanced during 2005-2008, which was due to a steady track of the horses involved and the carriagers. By increasing the number of new horses and new competitors in 2009 the average value of scores marked substantial deterioration, but this cannot be seen as degradation of performance of studied horses. By analysis of the factors affecting the score we found out, that gender as the only factor, did not have any significant impact on the studied disciplines of utility control. Carriager and the year of competition were amongst the factors mostly influencing the score. As the most successful line, whose representatives were most frequently and best ranked on the carriage races, we can choose the line of Bayard de Heredia. Its seven representatives participated in the period 2005-2011 altogether for 141-times and their average ranking ranged from 2.2 to 5.4.

In the experiment, we investigated the effect of the hybrid combination and sex on the fattening parameters of pigs fed with the same feed. The analyzed group consisted of 27 animals. We used the final hybrids of BU x L x PIC and BU x PIC for the testing purposes. Feeding pigs with the mixture was the same for all the tested pigs. We evaluated the average daily gain (ADG) in grams (g), feed consumption ratio (FCR) in kilograms (kg), number of feeding days (FD) in two growth phases: Phase 1 - piglets (from weaning to 25 kg), Phase 2 - test (30-100 kg). The pigs of the hybrid combination LW x L x PIC (ADG – 533.6 g, p