David Zapletal

@vfu.cz

Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology/ Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno

David Zapletal


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37

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Effect of dietary administration of Mentha piperita alone and in combination with Artemisia abrotanum on growth performance, body composition, physicochemical properties and amino acid composition of meat in Eimeria-challenged broilers
    David Zapletal, Martina Kosťuková, Lenka Rozsypalová, Vlastimil Šimek, František Ježek, Josef Kameník, Radka Dobšíková
    Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2026
    This study aimed toevaluate the effects ofdietary administration ofpeppermint (Mentha piperita) alone and incombination with southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) onperformance, body and carcass composition, physicochemical characteristics, and amino acid composition ofbreast meat inbroilers under Eimeria challenge. Atotal of160 14-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned tofour dietary groups: the control (C) group was fed abasal diet; the CCgroup received agrower diet containing the coccidiostat robenidine; theMgroup was fed the diets with the addition of20g peppermint/kg ofdiet; the MSgroup was fed the diets with the addition of10g peppermint+ 10g ofsouthernwood/kg ofdiet. The addition ofpeppermint tothe diet increased final live weight compared tothe CCgroup (P<0.05). The highest value ofdressing percentage was found intheMgroup ascompared tothe CCgroup (P<0.01) and Cgroup (P<0.05). Compared with the Cgroup, ahigher intramuscular fat content was found inthe breast meat ofbroilers inboth the M and MSgroups (P<0.01; P<0.05, resp.). Concerning the colour ofmeat, lower values for yellowness b* and chroma C* characteristics were observed intheCgroup compared tothe MSgroup (P<0.05) and mainly tothe Mgroup (P<0.01). Inspite ofthe lower crude protein content (P<0.05) inthe meat ofthe MSgroup, the highest content ofall essential amino acids (P<0.05) aswell asthe total content ofall assessed amino acids (P<0.01) were found in the meat of the MS group, resulting in a considerable increase in the nutritional value of the breast meat proteins of these broilers.
  • Broilers responses to dietary wormwood administration under Eimeria-challenged conditions
    David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Martina Kosťuková, Vlastimil Šimek, Helena Stříbrná, Břetislav Koudela
    Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2025
    Some herbs can be used as phytogenic additives as they naturally contain specific bioactive phytochemicals that are effective in controlling coccidiosis and some other poultry diseases due to their immunostimulatory effects and they can be also nutritious. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Artemisia absinthium (WW) meal inclusion to a diet on the production performance, oocyst output and minerals content of meat in broilers infested by Eimeria oocysts. Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary groups. Broilers in the control group were fed basal diets without coccidiostat or WW. Broilers of the R group were fed starter and grower diets supplemented with coccidiostat robenidine. Broilers in the W3 and W6 groups were fed diets containing 3 and 6% of WW in feed, resp. At the age of 16 days, all broilers were infested by oocysts of Eimeria spp. to induce a mild coccidiosis infection. The WW meal had no effect on the production performance and carcass traits of broilers (P > 0.05). However, the used levels of administered WW meal were not effective in reducing the number of oocysts faecal output in infested broilers. Administration of coccidiostat robenidine prevented the development of Eimeria oocysts in the intestine as long as 4 days after the cessation of feeding the medicated diet to broilers (P < 0.05). As for minerals of breast meat, broilers of the W3 group displayed a higher Ca level compared to those in the R group (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the R group showed the highest Cu level compared to all other dietary groups assessed (P < 0.01). It can be concluded that for the coccidiosis control in poultry production, it is advisable to monitor the content of specific bioactive substances with proven anticoccidial activity when using WW products.
  • Effect of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) supplementation to diet on performance, body composition, immune organs, gut morphology, amino acid composition and sensory attributes of breast meat in Eimeria-challenged chickens
    David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Martina Kosťuková, Vlastimil Šimek, Lenka Rozsypalová, Josef Kameník, František Ježek
    Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2025
    The aim of the study was to evaluate dietary effects of Artemisia absinthium L. (WW) powder supplementation on performance, immune organs, gut morphology, body composition, amino acid profile, and sensory attributes of breast meat in Eimeria-challenged chickens. A total of 208 one-day-old male broilers were divided into 4 dietary groups: two experimental groups fed diets with 30 g/kg (WW3) and 60 g/kg (WW6) of WW, a control group with no herbal additive and coccidiostat (C), and a group fed starter and grower diet with the coccidiostat (CR). Dietary administration of 3% WW significantly increased the relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius at 21 days (p < 0.05) and the thymus at 42 days of age (p < 0.01). Further, WW inclusion considerably increased the villi height/crypt depth ratio in the intestine of broilers, mainly when administered at the level of 6% (12.6, 11.7 and 10.5 for duodenum, jejunum and ileum, resp.; p < 0.01). In addition, 3% WW administration increased the content of all assessed amino acids in breast meat of 42–day-old chickens (by 25% and 34% compared to C and CR group, resp.; p < 0.01). No negative effects of WW on meat sensory attributes were noted, whereas the administration of 6% WW improved meat colour compared to the CR group (score 73 vs. 60, resp.; p < 0.05). The results obtained proved that WW meal may be administered in all feeding phases of broilers without negative effects on performance, nor does it worsen carcase composition or meat sensory attributes.
  • Growth performance, carcass composition, physico-chemical traits and amino acid profile of meat depending on wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) dietary supplementation in broilers
    David Zapletal, Radka Dobšíková, Vlastimil Šimek, Josef Kameník, František Ježek
    Archives Animal Breeding, 2024
    The present study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of the wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) meal on growth performance, carcass composition, physico-chemical traits and amino acid profile in meats of fattened broilers. In a completely randomised block design, a total of 288 female broilers that were 21 d old (Ross 308) were divided into four dietary groups and fed for 3 weeks: the control basal broiler diet (C), without any anticoccidial or wormwood herb (WH) supplementation, and the C diet plus 10 g (WW1 group), 50 g (WW5 group) or 100 g (WW10 group) of WH meal supplementation per kilogram of basal diet. At the end of the experiment (day 42), broilers were randomly selected for carcass composition and meat quality trait evaluation. In conclusion, the final live weight of chickens was not affected by diets with higher WH levels (P&gt;0.05). For the entire experimental period, the feed conversion ratio raised with an increasing WH level in diets, showing the highest value in chickens of the WW10 group (P&lt;0.01). Dietary supplementation with wormwood (WW) had no negative effects on the carcass composition or on the chemical and physical traits of meat quality assessed. By contrast, it can be assumed that WH dietary supplementation influenced, predominantly, proteosynthesis of chickens, resulting in alteration of amino acid profiles in meats, where especially increasing aspartic acid and valine contents (P&lt;0.001) in the leg meat were found. Our findings indicate that the supplementation of 5 % WH to the diet showed favourable results for chicken performance. However, it is necessary to conduct further studies dealing with WH dietary effects on metabolism and heath control in chickens.
  • Proximate Chemical Composition, Amino Acids Profile and Minerals Content of Meat Depending on Carcass Part, Sire Genotype and Sex of Meat Rabbits
    Robert Gál, David Zapletal, Petra Jakešová, Eva Straková
    Animals, 2022
    The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the sire genotype, sex and carcass part on the composition of the meat of rabbits, which were fattened under conditions where no synthetic drugs were used. As for carcass parts, the higher content of both total amino acids (AA) and all essential AA (EAA) monitored was found in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle as compared to hind leg meat (p ˂ 0.001). Significant effects of the rabbit sire genotype and the genotype x sex interaction on proportions of some AA in meat were found (p ˂ 0.001). Crossbreeding of the Mecklenburger Schecke (MS) sires with a commercial dam line of HYLA rabbits resulted in a lower proportion of the total AA and all EAA monitored in meats of MS sired males as compared to MS sired females and HYLA rabbits (p ˂ 0.05). The sex-related effect on AA profile was not so noticeable in final commercial crossbreds of HYLA rabbits when compared to MS sired progeny. These findings point to a possible risk of alterations in the nutritional quality of meat proteins when using different rabbit sire genotypes than those originally intended for the specific commercial crossbreeding scheme. However, on the contrary, higher contents of magnesium (p ˂ 0.05), manganese (p ˂ 0.001) and zinc (p ˂ 0.05) were found in meats of MS sired progeny as compared to HYLA rabbits.
  • Evaluation of Exterior Faults in Selected Slovak Rabbit Breeds
    Ľ. Mojcherová, F. Zigo, S. Ondrašovičová, D. Zapletal, M. Vargová, K. Veszelits Laktičová
    Folia Veterinaria, 2022
    The aim of this study was to evaluate the exterior faults in selected Slovak breeds of rabbits of different colour varieties according to a current Book of Rabbit Standards. Of 336 rabbits from 9 exhibitions organized in the territory of the Slovak and Czech Republics, 2 national medium-sized breeds of Liptov Bold-Spotted Rabbit (270 pcs) and Nitra Rabbit (66 pcs) were selected. The qualities and exterior faults of typical breed traits were evaluated in seven positions including: weight, shape, type, coat, top colour (eventually markings), under-colour (eventually intermediate colour), condition and health. Our evaluations showed that the most common exterior faults in these categories were in the: positions, shape, type, coat, and top-colour. In the shape position there were found significant exterior faults, such as slightly protruding hips with slanting rump, and worse legs position with loose skin on the body. In the type position, the faults observed in all selected breeds included: narrow chest, body too lean or too long, more delicate head with ears too fine and longer. The coat was usually thick and less elastic with a lighter under-colour at the base of the skin and non-sharply defined intermediate colour. In the top colour position of evaluated breeds there were numerous deficiencies involving uneven, and incomplete colour, and significant faults in the drawing. The data obtained in this study were innovative, as they represented a new approach that may help to characterize the Slovak breeds of rabbits included in this study and to select individuals with the best exterior traits towards improving the quality of these breeds.
  • The effects of dietary supplementation of common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) meal on growth and excreted Eimeria spp. oocysts incidence in Dwarf Lop rabbit kits
    Lenka Kudělková
    Acta Fytotechnica Et Zootechnica, 2022
    The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of common mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris ) herb on selected growth and health traits of young dwarf rabbits. The mugwort species represent regular botanical species with proven favourable effects on health state of many animal species. However, a dietary effect of Artemisia vulgaris (AV) on health of dwarf rabbit genepool has not been studied yet. The study was performed on a total of 12 kits of the Dwarf Lop breed. These kits were divided into 2 groups (control, C; experimental, E). From the age of 21 days up to the age of 112 days the kits in the experimental group received a complete diet specifically designed for the dwarf rabbits with 10% supplementation of the AV meal. There was found no significant adverse effect on live weight and average daily weight gain in rabbits of the E group. Concerning the anticoccidial effect, the 112-day-old rabbits fed the E diet showed a significantly lower ( P <0.05) number of excreted oocysts (1766 OPG) as compared to those in the C group (6845 OPG). Based on the results of the present study, there can be suggested that 10% dietary inclusion of the AV meal represents a safe share and it showed a positive effect on the excreted coccidiosis count in dwarf rabbits. However, it would be suitable to perform further studies, when the optimization of a mugwort dietary level during specific life periods of dwarf kits and the selection of other Artemisia botanical species will take a place. In addition, monitoring of more growth traits and biological effects of particular substances contained in Artemisia sp. would be studied on dwarf pet rabbits as wel.
  • Growth of suckled rabbit kits depending on litter size at birth
    David Zapletal
    Acta Fytotechnica Et Zootechnica, 2021
    Generally, growth of an animal is affected by complex mechanisms, acting in para-, endoand autocrine ways (Migdal et al., 2019) and growth as such is considerably important in rabbit meat production (Blasco et al., 2018). Growth of the new-born rabbit kits depends on the amount of suckled milk, while mainly for a small kit it is important to suck milk immediately after its birth (Szendrö et al., 2019). Rödel et al. (2008) observed that small kits consume a lower amount of milk and the differences in milk intake between the smaller and larger kits increased between days 3 to 7 post partum. To achieve good viability of rabbit kits, it is important for new-born kits to display an adequate birth weight compared to their littermates. In this case the kits should occupy a proper warm site in the middle of nest to maintain required body temperature (Bautista et al., 2008) and then consume sufficient amount of milk during a short nursing time; these aspects influence considerably their future growth. Moreover, rabbit kits with a higher birth weight display a higher live weight (LW) later on (ReyesMeza et al., 2011; Szendrö et al., 2019).
  • Growth performance, mortality and body and carcass characteristics of rabbit fatteners related to crossbreeding of mecklenburger schecke sires with dam line of HYLA rabbits
    David Zapletal, Petra Jakešová, Eliška Žáková, Vlastimil Šimek, Eva Straková
    Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2020
    The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of crossing Mecklenburger Schecke (MS) males with the maternal commercial line of HYLA rabbits on the growth performance, mortality and body and carcass components of fattened rabbits under intensive farming conditions. The control (C) group consisted of albino crossbred rabbits of the HYLA combination AB sires × CD dams. The tested (T) group (MS sires × HYLA CD dams) consisted of rabbit crosses between the MS sires and the same dam line as in the C group. Rabbits of both groups were raised and fattened under identical nutritional and management conditions. The crossing of MS males with the maternal line of HYLA rabbits led to the acceptable growth performance of rabbits in the T group. The higher slaughter weight of rabbits in the T group as compared to rabbits in the C group (P &amp;lt; 0.01) as associated with the higher weight of hot carcass and higher proportions of fore and intermediate parts of carcass (P &amp;lt; 0.01). On the contrary, HYLA rabbits had a higher proportion of the hind part of carcass (P &amp;lt; 0.001); yields of hind leg meat and musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum were not influenced by the genotype. However, since higher mortality was found in rabbits of the T group during fattening, it is not possible to recommend the MS breed as a common sire line used under conditions of intensive farming at this moment. Regarding the rabbit sex, slaughtered females showed a higher proportion of liver and a lower dressing percentage associated with the worse carcass compactness compared to males.
  • Dehulling effect of dietary administered white lupine seeds on the blood biochemistry of broilers
    D Zapletal, L Kudelkova, P Jakesova, V Simek, E Strakova, P Suchy
    Veterinarni Medicina, 2020
    The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the partial or complete dietary replacement of crude protein (CP) from soybean meal (SBM) with CP from the meal of whole (trial 1) or dehulled (trial 2) white lupine (WL) seeds on the blood plasma biochemical indicators in broilers. Chickens of the control (C) group were fed diets containing the SBM as the main protein source in the feed. It results from the findings that the complete and also partial replacement of CP from the SBM by CP from the meal of whole WL seeds in diets led to a decrease in the plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerides (TAG) levels (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Concerning the dietary administration of dehulled WL seeds, only the complete replacement of CP resulted in a decrease in the plasma glucose and TAG levels in 35-day-old broilers (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, when including the dehulled WL seeds into the diet, an increase in the plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity was found in both the E1 and E2 groups (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Based on the results found, it can be stated that the use of meal from whole WL seeds seems to be a promising protein feed component which has beneficial effects on the health of broilers.
  • The comparison of the selected morphometric traits in three medium-sized rabbit breeds
    Vlastimil Šimek
    Acta Fytotechnica Et Zootechnica, 2019
  • Fatting parameters after duck egg exposure to γ -radiation
    P. Dvořák, J. Doležalová, P. Suchý, E. Straková, D. Zapletal, V. Rulík
    Poultry Science, 2019
  • Male-to-female aggression in cage-housed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during the breeding season was not related to male plasma testosterone level
    D. Zapletal, M. Macháček, P. Suchý, E. Straková, F. Vitula
    British Poultry Science, 2018
  • Dietary effects of the inclusion of white lupine seeds and different types of binders on the blood indicators of young Dwarf Lop rabbits
    V. Simek, L. Kudelkova, E. Strakova, P. Suchy, D. Zapletal
    Veterinarni Medicina, 2018
  • Selected blood biochemical indicators of Cherry Valley ducks undergoing fattening in relation to their diet and sex
    M. Jerabek, P. Suchy, E. Strakova, L. Kudelkova, V. Simek, P. Jakesova, M. Machacek, D. Zapletal
    Veterinarni Medicina, 2018
  • Changes in growth performance and body and carcass composition of common pheasants following three generations of selection for higher 7-week bodyweight
    D. Zapletal, K. Karásková, E. Straková
    Animal Production Science, 2017
  • Physiological values of some blood indicators in selected dwarf rabbit breeds
    V. Šimek, D. Zapletal, E. Straková, A. Pavlík, P. Suchý
    World Rabbit Science, 2017
  • Haematological indicators in hybrid mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) with regard to the use of meal from whole white lupin seeds in their diet
    David Zapletal, Lenka Kudělková, Vlastimil Šimek, Petra Jakešová, Miroslav Macháček, Eva Straková, Pavel Suchý
    Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2017
  • Broiler chickens exposed to melamine and cyanuric acid-contaminated diets
    D Zapletal, E Straková, P Novák, P Suchý
    Human and Experimental Toxicology, 2016
  • Changes in physico-chemical characteristics, somatic cell count and fatty acid profile of brown short-haired goat milk during lactation
    Animal Science Papers and Reports, 2015
  • Effect of melamine-contaminated diet on tissue distribution of melamine and cyanuric acid, blood variables, and egg quality in laying hens
    P. Suchý, P. Novák, D. Zapletal, E. Straková
    British Poultry Science, 2014
  • Effect of melamine and cyanurid acid contaminated diets on blood indicators in broiler chickens
    E. Straková, K. Karásková, D. Zapletal, P. Suchý
    Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2014
  • Effect of age on contents of fatty acids in whole bodies of pheasants throughout their growth
    Petra Jakešová, David Zapletal, Radovan Jůzl, Lucie Rusníková, Pavel Suchý, Eva Straková
    Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2014
  • The Content of Amino Acids in Pasture Vegetation and Their Apparent Digestibility in 2-year-old Horses
    Eva Straková, Pavel Suchý, Ivan Král, David Zapletal, Ivan Herzig
    Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2013
  • Realised response to short-term selection of the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) selected for seven-week body weight
    D. Zapletal, E. Straková, P. Suchý
    Archiv Tierzucht, 2013
  • Chemical and physical characteristics of lamb meat related to crossbreeding of Romanov ewes with Suffolk and Charollais sires
    Jan Kuchtík, David Zapletal, Květoslava Šustová
    Meat Science, 2012
  • Energy value of meat in selected species of feathered game
    František Vitula, Pavel Suchý, Eva Straková, Kateřina Karásková, David Zapletal, Leo Kroupa
    Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2011
  • Behaviour patterns of the cage-housed breeding flock of pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus)
    David Zapletal, Pavel Suchý, Eva Straková, František Vitula, Jan Kuchtík
    Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2011
  • The effect of genotype on the chemical and fatty acid composition of the Quadriceps femoris muscle in extensively fattened lambs
    Archiv Fur Tierzucht, 2010
  • Breed variation in the chemical and fatty acid compositions of the Longissimus dorsi muscle in Czech Fleckvieh and Montbeliarde cattle
    D. Zapletal, G. Chládek, J. Šubrt
    Livestock Science, 2009
  • Effects of lactation stage and parity on milk yield, composition and properties of organic sheep milk
    L. Novotná, J. Kuchtík, K. [Sbreve]ustová, D. Zapletal, R. Filip[cbreve]ík
    Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2009
  • Chemical composition of bone tissue in broiler chickens intended for slaughter
    P. Suchý, E. Straková, I. Herzig, L. Steinhauser, G. Králik, D. Zapletal
    Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2009
  • Impact of housing technology on blood plasma corticosterone levels in laying hens
    Ales Pavlik, Daniela Jezova, David Zapletal, Jan Bakos, Pavel Jelinek
    Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 2008
  • The effect of lecirelin (GnRH) dosage on the reproductive performance of nulliparous and lactating rabbit does
    D. Zapletal, A. Pavlik
    Animal Reproduction Science, 2008
  • Effect of the stage of lactation on milk composition, its properties and the quality of rennet curdling in East Friesian ewes
    J. Kuchtík, K. Šustová, T. Urban, D. Zapletal
    Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2008
  • Effects of housing systems on biochemical indicators of blood plasma in laying hens
    A. Pavlík, M. Pokludová, D. Zapletal, P. Jelínek
    Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2007
  • A free-choice intake of mineral blocks in beef cows during the grazing season and in winter
    G. Chládek, D. Zapletal
    Livestock Science, 2007