Tom 67 (2023): Zeszyt 1 (March 2023)

This study was composed of two experiments which investigated the response of two strains (Arbor Acre and Cobb 500, respectively) of broiler chickens to in ovo injection of inorganic salts of zinc, copper and their combination. A total of 300 hatching eggs [only 148 (59.20 %) and 232 (90.27 %), respectively, were fertile] each of Arbor Acre and Cobb 500 strains of broiler chickens were used in both experiments. These eggs were distributed into four treatments: control, in ovo inorganic Zn (80 µg.egg⁻¹), Cu (16 µg.egg⁻¹) and combined Zn and Cu (80 µg.egg⁻¹ Zn and 16 µg.egg⁻¹ Cu). The data obtained in both experiments were subjected to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) at the 5 % probability level. The results showed increased hatchability (P < 0.05) in eggs injected with the combination of inorganic salts of Zn and Cu in Experiment I and daily intake was influenced in both experiments. The carcass traits, organ development and gut morphometry were not significantly influenced by the treatment groups. The total serum protein and albumin of the birds were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by in ovo injection of inorganic salts of Zn and Cu at day 49 in the Experiment I. The study concluded that in ovo injection of inorganic salts of Zn at 80 µg.egg⁻¹ and/or Cu at 16 µg. egg⁻¹ could be adopted to increase feed intake with: attendant enhanced growth, enhanced immune response, increased albumin and total protein contents of blood serum in the strains of broiler chickens used.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of feed intake of humic substances (HS) on the cellulolytic and amylolytic activities, and the digestibility of dry matter (DM) in the chymus of the intestine and ileum of broiler chickens (Cobb 500). Four groups of birds (A, B, C, negative control; n = 120) were fed with mash diets (starter HYD1 230.20, grower HYD2 222.20, finisher HYD3 209.40 g crude protein (CP) per kg of DM) with the added HS from day 1 to 37 days as follows: A ‒ 0.7 % Humac nature; B ‒ 0.7 % Humac nature monogastric (HNM); C ‒ 0.5 % HNM (Humac Ltd., Slovakia). The cellulolytic activities were increased in the intestine in B/C by 2.50 (P < 0.01)/1.65 (P < 0.05) on day 3 and 1.02 (P < 0.001)/0.3 (P < 0.05) µmol.l⁻¹.min⁻¹.g⁻¹ on day 24. There were observed higher values of digestibility coefficient of DM in the intestine (P < 0.05) in C by 15.14 % and 14.85 %, and in B by 20.73 % on days 17, 24 and 31, respectively. The enhancement of ileal digestibility of DM was observed in B by 7.38 % (P < 0.05) and CP in A and B by 3.7% and 6.1% (P < 0.05). The feed intake of HS favourably influenced the cellulolytic activities and increased the DM digestibility in the intestine and the ileum, as well as the CP digestibility in the ileum.

The Guinea fowl (Numida meleagridis) is a semi-domestic bird whose commercial popularity is on the increase. The gross anatomy of the hindlimbs of 8 helmeted Guinea fowls of equal sexes were studied. The pubic shafts were free, thus they did not fuse ventrally to form a symphysis. The ilium had a quadrilateral and roughly triangular pre and post acetabular wings, respectively. A conspicuous renal fossa was observed in the post acetabular wing. An incomplete concentric obturator foramen, lacking a caudal margin, was formed by the ventral border of the ischium and dorsal border of the cranial pubic shaft, while a prominent ischiopubic fissure was formed by the same bones, caudally. The incomplete concentric nature of the obturator foramen created a common space between it and the ischiopubic fissure. The femoral major trochanter was more proximal than the head, while the minor tro-chanter and the head were on the same horizontal level. The femur lacked a visible pneumatic foramen. The tibiotarsus had a prominent cranial cnemial crest. The fibular spine terminated at the tibia mid-shaft, leaving one interosseous space. An intertarsal sesamoid bone was identified, indicative of an adult skeleton. Crests and channels depicted the hypotarsus. Vascular foramen was identified in the distal extremity of the tibiotarsus. Digit I was oriented to the planter direction.

These results, and others, were compared with those of other birds in the available literature, and some morpho-functional paradigm of the Guinea fowl hindlimb skeleton was established.

As milk should be free from harmful substances before leaving the farm, this study provides the results of the analysis of the presence of β-lactam and tetracycline residues and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk samples obtained within one year from Ireland and Slovakia. To evaluate the presence of β-lactam and tetracycline residues, Duplex BT Scan assay, produced by Zeulab S. L. was used. For the detection of AFM1, AflaM1 Scan (Zeulab S. L.) tests were used. Of a total of 69 raw cow’s milk samples analysed, 40 samples were obtained from the farms in Slovakia and 29 samples from the farms in Ireland. Among the 69 analysed samples, 17 (24.6 %) samples were tested positive for the presence of β-lactam residues, 12 (17.4 %) samples for tetracycline residues and 59 (88.4 %) samples for AFM1. Milk samples positive for antibiotic residues and mycotoxins were not acceptable and it is important that the reputation of milk as a healthy and safe food is protected worldwide. Dairy farmers and consumers want to be confident that milk and milk products are of high quality and free of all pharmacologically active substances and toxins.

American foulbrood is amongst the most dangerous diseases of the bee-family affecting many honeybee colonies worldwide. In countries of European Union, based on veterinary legislation, the bee colonies tested positive to American foulbrood are eradicated with high economic losses. It is therefore necessary to look for effective prevention, especially by the using of natural ingredients such as probiotics. In this study, we used lactobacilli isolated from digestive tracts of adult healthy honey bees and selected based on their good probiotic properties and ability to inhibit the growth of Paenibacillus larvae. These isolates were identified as Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum. Night cultures of both strains were used for the preparation of probiotic suspensions and pollen was selected as an appropriate carrier for application of probiotic lacto-bacilli to the hives. Half a litre of pollen suspension was prepared for each hive. The suspension for experimental hives contained probiotic lactobacilli in concentration of 10⁷–10⁸ CFU.ml⁻¹. Bees in control hives received pollen suspension without addition of probiotic lacto-bacilli. The suspensions were supplied to bees three times, once a week. Before and during administration of probiotics, samples of honey bees from each hive were taken every week and numbers of lactobacilli, P. larvae, enterobacteria and coliform bacteria were determined in their digestive tracts. Four weeks after the first administration of probiotic-pollen solution the numbers of lactobacilli were increased approximately by 0.5 log. Before starting this experiment, P. larvae (approx. 10⁷ CFU.ml⁻¹) were detected in digestive tracts of honey bees. In the experimental group after 3 weeks and in the control group after 4 weeks, no viable counts of P. larvae were found. The numbers of enterobacteria, coliform bacteria and Bacillus sp. decreased in both groups. During the experiment the health and condition of the hives were monitored. In addition, also monitored were: the development of the bee colony, the number of dead bees, the amount of hive debris, the aggressiveness of the bees, and the amount of honey spun; later during the autumn treatment also the fall of Varroa jacobsoni was noted. In the experimental and control groups, we recorded a decrease in the amount of hive debris. Only in the experimental group was a slightly above-average development of the bee colony, slightly above-average honey yields and a 70 % lower drop of Varroa mites. Based on these results, we assumed that the probiotic-pollen solution had a positive influence on the composition of microbiota in bee digestive tracts and it can increase resistance to P. larvae. It also had a positive effect on the health and condition of the bee colony. Probiotic-free pollen solution showed similar but weaker effects.

One of the most important aquatic parasites in industrialized countries, Cryptosporidium spp., is a major cause of diarrheal disease in humans and animals worldwide. The contingent evolution of cryptosporidia with hosts, host adaptation, and geographic variation contributed to the creation of species subtypes, thereby shaping their population genetic structures. Multilocus typing tools for population genetic characterizations of transmission dynamics and delineation of mechanisms for the emergence of virulent subtypes have played an important role in improving our understanding of the transmission of this parasite. However, to better understand the significance of different subtypes with clinical disease manifestations and transmission risks, a large number of samples and preferably from different geographical areas need to be analyzed. This review provides an analysis of genetic variation through multilocus sequence typing, provides an overview of subtypes, typing gene markers for Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium andersoni genotypes and an overview of the hosts of these parasites.

Cross-species comparison analysis studies are of immense importance in veterinary and human oncological research. Of the various non-rodent species available, dogs have gained most attention as potential animal models for the study of colorectal cancer. Domestic dogs developed evolutionally through a mutually beneficial relationship with humans. Because dogs share the same environment as humans, they are exposed to the same potentially harmful substances which may act as carcinogens in both species. Intestinal adenocarcinomas in dogs are naturally occurring heterogeneous tumours, which have the characteristics of sporadic human malignancies and therefore are more suitable for detailed oncological study than most xenograft or genetically modified rodent models. Furthermore, the canine genome has been comprehensively analysed and sequenced to a 7.6-fold coverage, and a very accurate version of this sequencing is available for study. The purpose of this manuscript is to present a comprehensive review of published data related to colorectal cancer in dogs. In addition, data regarding interspecies comparison of molecular events driving canine and human intestinal carcinogenesis is presented.

This study focused on how haematology parameters differ with different types of anaesthesia that is given to piglets. In this study 18 piglets were used divided into three groups. In each of these experimental groups a different combination of anaesthetics was used. The first group received the combination of azaperone, diazepam, and ketamine. In the second group, we used the combination of azaperone, xylazine, and ketamine. In the third group, the anaesthesia was induced by azaperone, diazepam, butorphanol and ketamine. Blood samples were taken from the piglets three times throughout the procedure and the relevant haematological parameters were determined. With respect to haematological values, the combination used in group 1 appeared as the best for the anaesthesia of pig-lets. The haematological values, such as MCV (mean corpuscular volume), were similar in all groups with the exception of the third group where the MCV and the MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) were significantly lower 24-hour post anaesthesia compared to the other two groups. Lymphocytes in the first two groups showed a steady decrease, while in the third group their levels increased. The opposite trend was observed for the segmented neutrophils that showed a steady increase over the 24-hour period in the 1st and 2nd group while in group 3 their levels decreased. Abolishment of pedal and nasal reflexes to external stimuli applied every 15 min post ketamine administration was observed. The piglets in the 1st group showed no reflexes to external stimuli, while the worst responses were observed in the 2nd group where many of the piglets started to show reflexes very early within the experimental time.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a multisystemic tick-borne disease that can affect many organs and have various clinical manifestations in dogs. We attempted to summarise various aspects of Lyme disease: i. e., pathogenesis, epidemiology, benefits and risks of diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and prevention in dogs. Several diagnostic bottlenecks for LB in dogs and humans are compared. Because the occurrence of LB in both humans and dogs is closely related, monitoring its prevalence in dogs as sentinel animals is an excellent aid in assessing the risk of Lyme disease in a given geographic area. Although clinical symptoms in humans help clinicians diagnose LB, they are ineffective in dogs because canines rarely exhibit LB symptoms. Despite significant differences in sensitivity and specificity, sero-logical two-step detection of antibodies against Borrelia spp. (ELISA and Western blot) is the most commonly used method in humans and dogs. The limitations of the assay highlight the need for further research to develop new clinical markers and more accurate diagnostic tests. Due to the lack of a specific all-encompassing LB test, a definitive diagnosis of LB remains a difficult and time-consuming process in human and veterinary medicine. Understanding the disease prevalence and diagnostics, as well as preventing its spread with effective and timely treatment, are fundamental principles of good disease management.

Successful reproduction of lactating dairy cattle, or in other words its reproductive performance is a limiting factor in the profit ratio of cattle breeding regarding market production. The aim of this research was to evaluate the success rate of synchronization protocols Ovsynch, Presynch/Ovsynch, and Double Ovsynch within the period of 24 months. The success rate of the 1st insemination, 2nd insemination, and after more than 2 inseminations was evaluated. The cattle were of Holstein Friesian breed with a milk yield of 10 200 kg. The animals were sorted into two categories – heifers (protocol Ovsynch) and primiparous, multiparous cows (protocols Presynch/Double Ovsynch). The research proved a 54 % success rate in the category of heifers after the 1st insemination. In the category of primiparous and multiparous cows was the success rate of 41 % after the 1st insemination, 39 % after the 2nd insemination, and 52 % after more than 2 inseminations for the Presynch/Ovsynch protocol. The success rate for Double Ovsynch protocol was 45 % after the 1st insemination, 42 % after the 2nd insemination and 51 % after more than 2 inseminations. The results for the given geographic region of Slovakia exceeded the average.