ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 20-31

UDK 636.1.082

THE INFLUENCE OF THE NEW LINE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ŽEMAITUKAI POPULATION GENOTYPE

Valė Macijauskienė, Virginija Jatkauskienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

At the LVA Institute of Animal Science new Žemaitukai horse breed stallion lines are being developed by the methodical guidelines approved in 2000. Alongside blood group and protein polymorphism studies are carried out to objectively determine the effects of blood immigration from different breeds on the unique nature of the Žemaitukai breed. The blood samples from 200 purebred Žemaitukai and 37 newly developed progeny line horses have been studied. The results from the study indicated that out of the three newly developed lines. The Saturnas line progeny were the closest the purebred Žemaitukai (r=0.6007). The genetic distance between the purebred and Torgel line Žemaitukai was also not very high (r=0.5565). The highest genetic distance from the Žemaitukai was determined for the Arab line progeny (r=0.3628). The comparison of the newly developed lines indicated that Torgel and Arab lines had the highest genetic similarity between themselves (r=0.5288) and those of Saturnas and Arab were most genetically distant (r=0.2037). The genetic similarity between the Saturnas and Torgel lines was 0.3615. The genetic similarity between the Saturnas line and large-type Žemaitukai was only 0.2283. This indicates that at this stage of line development, the progeny of the Saturnas line are already 2.6-fold closer to purebred old-type Žemaitukai than to large-type Žemaitukai, though the founder of the line was a large-type Žemaitukai horse. The blood groups and blood protein allele frequencies indicated that the Saturnas line progeny had the greatest genetic similarity to purebred Žemaitukai horses.
Key words: Žemaitukai, lines, genetic similarity, comparison


 

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 32-41

UDK 636.2.082

BLOOD GROUP GENETIC ANALYSIS OF BEEF CATTLE CROSSBREDS IN LITHUANIA

Rasa Nainienė, Virginija Jatkauskienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos str. 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Erythrocyte antigenic factors for 41 beef cattle and 641 for its progeny were analyzed at the Blood Typing Laboratory of the LVA Institute of Animal Science. The progeny under analysis were produced by inseminating Lithuanian Black-and-White and Lithuanian Red cows with the semen from Limousin, Charollais, Hereford, Simmental and Angus bulls. Blood groups of beef crossbreds were genetically analyzed in three genetic systems EAA, EAB and EAC by estimating allelic frequency for each crossbred group. The highest differences among the crossbreds of different beef breeds were defined for the EAB system allelic structure. The study indicated that allele H'H''U''U was characteristic of beef purebred cattle and beef cattle crossbreds, however, it was not found in dairy cattle. Allele QD'G'' was characteristic of only purebred Limousin cattle and their crossbreds and allele Y2D'I' was typical of only Hereford purebred cattle and their crossbreds.
Keywords: beef crossbreds, allele, allele frequency


 

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 42-50

UDK 636.5.082

BIODIVERSITY OF OLD HENS BREEDS IN LITHUANIA

Sigitas Janušonis, Robertas Juodka, Audra Benediktavičiūtė–Kiškienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Decreasing of genetic resources and biodiversity is a painful problem in the world. It needs to be solved. Many countries have accumulated the programs concerning the protection and use of breeds of their old birds for the diverse production.
In Lithuania only one breed of Vishtines geese is included into the data bank of the diversity of the world agricultural animals established by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and into the catalogue of the world preserved domestic animals. Though, from elder times Lithuanians bred and used for their own purposes chickens and hens and also more breeds other kinds of birds. The scientists of Poultry Department of the Institute of Animal Science implemented the work the aim of which is stocktaking of the old still existing breeds of domestic hens in accordance to the old descriptions of domestic birds, measures, stories of people.
During the work the collected data showed that the inhabitants of Lithuania mostly breed (about 76%) hybrid birds of high productivity (industrial hybrids). Local birds make about 24 %. According to the color of feathers, the frequency of getting feathers, the dynamic of weight, measures of body the evaluated flocks of birds were divided into 3 types: decorative, layer type, meat type.
The mostly spread from local hens are hens of big size – 23, 8 % from the total number of hens. Layer type but smaller hens make about 5 %.
Key words: genetic resource, old breeds, hens, exterior, productivity


 

ISSN 1392–6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. p. 51-61

UDK 636.2.084

THE EFFECTS OF HYDROLIZED BEER YEAST ON THE RUMEN FERMENTA-TION OF NITROGENOUS MATTER AND CARBOHYDRATES AND COW PRODUCTIVITY

Vytautas Tarvydas, Virginijus Uchockis, Saulius Bliznikas, Petras Bendikas

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos str. 12, LT–82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

The products from hydrolyzed yeast stimulate and stabilize rumen microflora growth, protect from digestive tract disorders, strengthen the immunity and enhance milk production of milking cows. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of hydrolyzed yeast on the fermentation of nitrogenous matter and carbohydrates in the rumen of fresh milking cows, their productivity and milk quality at silage feeding. The trial was carried out at the LVA Institute of Animal Science with Lithuanian Black-and-White milking cows. Two groups analogous by age, milk yield and calving time of 7 animals each were used in the trial that lasted for 25 pre-experimental days and 70 experimental days. Both control and experimental groups of cows were offered similar on farm grown and made food allowances. During the experimental period, every cow in the experimental group received daily 200 g of hydrolyzed yeast with a filling. The pelleted hydrolyzed yeast product ProgutTM with filling (1:10) was delivered by SIA BALTIC FEED. The studies of feed intake and chemical composition, rumen components, milk yield and milk quality have been carried out. The results from the trial indicated that the cows fed the diets supplemented with hydrolyzed yeast consumed 5.2 % more hay, 4.7 % more maize silage, 3.8 % more alfalfa silage and 1.4 % more sugarbeet pulp silage in comparison with the control group. A tendency was observed for the lower infusoria count in the rumen contents of both groups of cows during the experimental period. If compared with the pre-experimental period, the infusoria count was lower by 26.6 and 29.2 % in, respectively, control and experimental groups. During the experimental period, the total nitrogen content in the rumen of yeast-fed cows increased by 6.2 % and reached the level of on the average 79.12 mg / 100 ml and by 2.01 mg / 100 ml exceeded the nitrogen content in the rumen of the control cows. The average con-tents of ammonia nitrogen were similar in both groups of cows and amounted to 20.45 and 19.75 mg / 100 ml in, respectively, control and yeast groups of cows. The contents of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were also similar in the rumen of both groups of cows. Supplementation of the diets with hydrolyzed yeast (200 g/d) stimulated appetite and, consequently, improved feed intake because the cows consumed by 5.2-4.7 % more roughage feeds – hay and various silages. There was a tendency towards a positive effect on milk yield, milk composition and quality. The experimental amount of yeast had no significant effect on the fermentation of nitrogenous matter and carbohydrates in the rumen of cows.
Key words: hydrolyzed beer yeast, cow feeding, rumen fermentation


 

ISSN 1392–6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 62-71

UDK 636.2.084

FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS IN THE RUMEN OF DAIRY COWS FED WHOLE-CROP SPRING WHEAT SILAGE INOCULATED WITH HOMOLACTIC BACTERIA MIXTURE

Jonas Jatkauskas, Vilma Vrotniakienė

Institute of Animal Science of Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Baisogala, LT-82317 R. Zebenkos str. 12, Radviliskis distr., Lithuania, e-mail pts@lgi.lt

Summary

Trials were conducted at the Institute of Animal Science of LVA to determine the fermentation changes in the rumen and the blood profile of Lithuanian Black-and-White dairy cows fed inoculated whole-crop spring wheat silage. Whole crop spring wheat cereals (DM content at harvest – 436 g kg-1) was made in round bales either untreated (C) or inoculated with a homolactic bacteria blend (Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactococcus lactis) at a rate 5 10 5 colony forming units g-1 of fresh herbage (I). The quality of both silages was good. However, the inoculated silage contained considerably more fermentation acids and its pH value was lower. Addition of lactic acid bacteria improved the fermentation profile by lowering butyric acid and dry matter losses and increasing lactic acid.
The silages were offered ad libitum with a standard concentrate supplementation at a flat-rate (280 g for 1 kg milk) for ten Lithuanian Black-and-White dairy cows divided in two analogous groups for a period of 92 days. When the ruminal fluid samples were analyzed, the number of protozoa was by 15.5 % (P<0.01) higher in the inoculated silage compared with the control. Lactic acid bacteria blend treated silage resulted in increased pH value by 0.13 unit (P<0.05) and increased proportion of propionate of rumen volatile acids by 1.36 percentage units (P<0.01) compared with the untreated silage. The inoculated silage lowered rumen volatile acid concentration by 6.5% (P<0.05) and the ratio of acetate to propionate.
The silage treated with a microbial blend was beneficial to rumen protein synthesis, whereas the content of protein nitrogen and that of total nitrogen were, respectively, by 5.61 mg l00 ml-1 (P<0.01) and by 3.7 mg l00 ml-1 (P<0.01) higher compared with the untreated silage. The content of ammonia-N was lower in the rumen fluid of cows offered the inoculated silage. Blood metabolite content was unaffected by the treatment and the blood of animals in both groups corresponded to the physiological norm.
Key words: silage, rumen content, infusoria count, volatile fatty acids, nitrogen, blood
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ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 72-86

UDK 636.4.084

THE EFFECTS OF THE DIFFERENT ENERGY FEED ADDITIVES ON PIG PERFORMANCE

Raimondas Leikus, Violeta Juškienė, Jūratė Norvilienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Three trials involving growing – finishing pigs were conducted at the LVA Institute of Animal Science to determine the effects of rapeseed oil and glycerol on pig growth rate, feed consumption, also chemical composition of meat. 2, 4, 6 and 8 % supplementation of the compound feed diets with rapeseed oil and with the increasing protein level resulted in higher growth rate of pigs in the growing (up to 60 kg weight) stage – on the average the pigs gained daily from 5.3 to 9.2 % (P>0.2-0.4) more weight. In the finishing stage (above 60 kg weight) the increase in weight gains (4.4-5.1 %; P>0.4) was observed only when higher amounts (6 and 8 %) of rape-seed oil was added to the feed. There no significant growth changes when the diets were supplemented with 4 and 8 % rapeseed oil and almost the same protein level was kept. There was a tendency towards higher daily weight gains (5.6 % higher; P>0.4) but only in the growing stage when compound feed was additionally supplemented eighth glycerol 15 %.
4, 6 and 8 % rapeseed oil supplementation of diets resulted in lower from 2 to 13 % feed consumption per kg gain. There was no significant influence on feed consumption per kg gain with 2 % rapeseed oil supplementation of the diets. On the other 8 % rapeseed oil supplementation of the diets resulted in 5.5–17.6 % lower feed consumption per day. There were no daily feed consumption changes observed when the diets were supplemented with 2, 4 and 6 % rapeseed oil. 15 % glycerol supplementation of the diets improved feed consumption only in the growing stage of pigs. The pigs consumed 2.9 % less feeds per kg gain and their daily feed in-take was 2.8 %.
There was no significant effect on chemical composition of meat determined when the diets were supplemented with either 8 % rapeseed oil or 15 % glycerol.
Keywords: rapeseed oil, glycerol, growth rate of pigs, feed consumption, chemical composition of meat


 

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 87-98

UDK 636.4.084

THE EFFECTS OF THE PROBIOTIC USE ON THE GROWTH RATE OF FATTEN-ING PIGS AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY

Gintaras Sudikas¹, Violeta Juškienė², Raimondas Leikus², Jurgis Kulpys¹, Andrejus Jerešiūnas¹, Jūratė Norvilienė<sup>2

1</sup>Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilžės 18, LT-47181, Kaunas, Lithuania
²Institute of Animal Science of LVA, R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

In 2007, a trial involving German Landrace and Norwegian Landrace crossbred pigs was con-ducted at the LVA Institute of Animal Science to investigate the effects of the probiotic (Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 5749) – 1.6×109 CFU/g and Bacillus subtilis (DSM 5750) – 1.6×109 CFU/g) use on health, growth rate, feed intake and nutrient digestibility of fattening pigs. The results from the trial indicated that the pigs had the highest growth rate when fed compound feed supplemented with 0.06 % probiotic. These pigs gained daily on the average 7.5-10,7 % (P=0.027-.096) more weight than the control pigs. 0.04 % probiotic supplementation of pig diets did not affect the growth rate. The use of the probiotic resulted in 2.6-7.5 % lower feed intake per kg gain. The daily intake of feed was almost similar both at feeding pigs 0.04 % probiotic supplemented diets and probiotic-free diets. When the diets were supplemented with 0.06 % probiotic, the pigs consumed daily 3.8-7.9 % more feed.
0.06 % probiotic supplementation of the diets had a more favourable influence on pig health – there were no diarrhoea or other ailment cases.
Feeding probiotic supplemented diets had no significant influence on nutrient digestibility.
Key words: probiotic, pig growth, feed intake, health, feed digestibility

 

ISSN 1392–6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2009. 54. P. 99-106

UDK 636.5.084

EFFICIENCY OF PEAS IN THE DIETS OF HEAVY-TYPE (BIG-6) TURKEYS

Sigitas Janušonis, Audra Benediktavičiūtė–Kiškienė, Robertas Juodka

Institute of Animal Science of Lithuanian Veterinary Academy,
Baisogala, LT-82317 R. Zebenkos 12, Radviliskis distr., Lithuania, e-mail lgi@lgi.lt

Summary

Until 8 weeks of age, turkey poults are very sensitive to feeding conditions, and it is important to know the effects of different amounts of peas in the diets on turkeys of different ages. The aim of our trial was to determine the efficiency of peas in the turkey diets and to find the most effective levels of protein content in the diets of turkey poults till 20 weeks of age.
The best growth performance was determined for turkeys fed diets containing 15 % of peas instead of part of soybean oil-meal with the further increase of the amount of peas up to 40 % with no soybean oil-meal usage. The recommended amounts of peas in the diets according to this study are as follows: 15 % from 0 to 4 weeks of age, 20 % from 5 to 8 weeks of age, 30 % from 9 to 12 weeks of age, 40 % from 13 to 20 weeks of age, with no usage of soybean oil-meal.
Key words: turkeys, peas, soybean oil-meal
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