Altered vitamin D metabolic system in follicular cysts of sows

This study aimed to examine 25OHD₃ concentration in the fluid of follicular and follicular lutein cysts of sows in comparison with preovulatory follicles as well as immunolocalize vitamin D metabolic enzymes (CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and determine their protein abundances in the cyst wall. We have shown for the first time that 25OHD₃ level in the fluid of both cyst types was significantly lower than in preovulatory follicles. Furthermore, we have demonstrated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 protein immunolocalization and abundance in follicular and follicular lutein cysts. The abundance of protein for both metabolic enzymes was decreased in ovarian cysts when compared to preovulatory follicles. We propose that altered VD metabolism in ovarian cyst might associate with their formation in sows.     

Fatty acid profile as affected by fat depot and the sex category of Polish Holstein-Friesian × Limousin fattening cattle fed silage ad libitum

This study was designed to compare the fatty acid profiles of four types of fat depots from bulls, steers, and heifers. All animals were Polish Holstein-Friesian and Limousin crossbreds fattened semi-intensively—silage at libitum and concentrate in the amount corresponding to 30% of their net energy requirements. The fatty acid profile in intramuscular, intermuscular, and external and internal fat was determined. The intramuscular fat of bulls was most abundant in total PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs, and functional fatty acids C 18:2, C 20:4, and C 22:5 in comparison with steers and heifers. Regardless of sex category, intramuscular and external fat were characterized by higher levels of UFAs and a more desirable MUFA/SFA ratio than the remaining fat types. It should also be noted that external fat was more abundant in CLA than other fat types, and that the highest CLA content was found in bull fat, compared with the remaining sex categories of cattle.     

Effect of micronized pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) as a substitute of soybean meal on tissue fatty acid composition and quality of broiler chicken meat

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of micronized pea seeds introduced into feed mixes for broilers on the slaughter yield, blood lipid parameters, content of fatty acids in selected tissues, and meat quality. The studies involved 150 1‐day‐old Ross 308 chicks split into three groups (for 42 days). The feed rations differed in terms of the source of proteins: in the control group (C), it was post‐extraction soybean meal (SBM) 100%; in group I, SBM 50% and micronized peas 50%; and in group II, micronized peas only, 100%. Irradiated pea seeds added to the feed ration for chicks reduced the fattening grade of carcasses (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant improvement of blood lipid indices was recorded. The share of the irradiated pea seeds in feed mixes decreased the share of saturated fatty acids in the muscles and abdominal fat and had a positive effect on the n‐6/n‐3 ratio, hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic ratio, as well as the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices (P < 0.05).     

Leptin and leptin receptors during malaria infection in mice

Leptin, which is involved in a range of physiological processes, could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of malaria. We found that levels of leptin in serum and urine in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice increased progressively after infection, reaching a maximum value on day 6 post-infection. Serum values were approximately five-fold higher in infected mice than in non-infected controls. A similar relation was found for values of leptin in urine. Soluble leptin receptor levels also increased significantly in serum, more or less in line with the leptin increase. Our work represents the first report of visibly augmented leptin and soluble leptin receptor secretion in malarial infection.     

The reflectance method for testing the effectiveness of fungicides against surface mould growth on materials: I. Wood

Summary An instrumental method for the measurement of the toxic value of preservatives against mould fungi on wood and wood products was tested as an alternative to the widely used visual method with its inherent disadvantage of subjectivity. The new criterion of effectiveness to be used was light reflectance as measured by either the Zeiss photometer (Leukometer) or the Zeiss spectrophotometer (Spekol 10) fitted with the Rd/0 reflectance adapter. Sodium pentachlorophenate and the WR-3 (quaternary ammonium compound), applied to pine and birch wood samples were tested for effectiveness against five species of fungi capable of causing surface moulding. Although the reflectance method was more laborious, the results obtained seem to be better than those obtained by the visual method. The proposed method appears to be of practical value in eliminating difficulties involved in the subjective assessment of both the intensity of surface growth and the effectiveness of the wood preservatives themselves.Paper sponsored by the State Enterprise of Conservation of Fine Arts Objects, Warszawa ul. Zielna 3The authors thank Dr. J. D. Thornton, CSIRO Division of Forestry and Forest Products, Highett, Australia, for kindly correcting the English text of this paper     

Effect of an entomopathogenic nematode,Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser (Nematoda,Steinernematidae), on carabid beetles in field trials with annual legumes

Two species of carabid beetle:Bembidion properans Steph. andPterostichus cupreus L. were the most often captured into pitfall traps in the spring period on plots with various cultivars of annual legumes. The greatest density ofP. cupreus population in the field with annual legumes was observed in May, in the feeding and eggs laying period by pea weevilSitona lineatus L. (Col. Curculionidae) — the main legumes pest. In June the most frequent carabid wasB. properans, the small beetles destroying the eggs or young larvae ofSitona lineatus. No effect of usingS. carpocapsae nematodes to infect nontarget carabid species was found in case different doses of invasive larvae on the soil surface into traps, although the mortality of captured ground beetles was high. The length of life of Carabidae collected from traps with nematodes were not significantly decreased in comparison with the control group.

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Zusammenfassung Zwei Carabiden-Arten,Bembidion properans Steph. undPterostichus cupreus L. waren die beiden häufigsten Arten, die im Frühjahr in Bodenfallen in verschiedenen Kulturen einjähriger Leguminosen gefangen wurden. Die größte Dichte vonP. cupreus wurde im Mai festgestellt während der Fraß- und Eilege-Periode des Haupt-Leguminosenschädlings, des ErbsenrüßlersSitona lineatus L. (Col., Curculionidae). Im Juni warB. properans der häufigste Laufkäfer, der die Eier und Junglarven vonSitona lineatus zur Beute nahm. Die Hinzugabe invasiver Larven des NematodenSteinernema carpocapsae in mit gefangenen Laufkäfern besetzten Bodenfallen erbrachte keine gesicherte Infektion, obgleich die Carbadiden-Dichte in den Gefäßen hoch war. Die Lebensdauer von Carabidae in mit Nematoden besetzten Gefäßen unterschied sich nicht von jener in Kontrollgefäßen.

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With 2 figures and 2 tables     

Über den Befall einjähriger Leguminosen durch den Erbsenrüßler,Sitona lineatus L. (Col., Curculionidae)

In early spring period early field pea and other cultivars of pea were most attractive plants forS. lineatus adults in comparison with bean cv. In May, in egg laying period, bean cv appeared to be the most preferable. These field studies are the first step on further experiments on determining the effect of host plant on susceptibility of the weevils to infection by entomopathogens. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A0135136 00002     

An outbreak of massive mortality among farm rabbits associated with Cryptosporidium infection

Cryptosporidium in farm rabbits is not often recognised due to a low prevalence and asymptomatic course of infection. Nonetheless, incidences of fatal diarrhoeic diseases are frequently noticed in the rabbitries. In this article, we report an outbreak where there was massive mortality among farm rabbits associated with Cryptosporidium infection. The disease was characterised by profuse diarrhoea resulting in the death of rabbits. A pooled faecal sample was screened for a presence of parasites using microscopy methods. In the tested sample no other parasites other than Cryptosporidium oocysts were found. Further identification of the parasite species was performed at a molecular level, using the 18 SSU rRNA, COWP and LIB13 PCR followed by a subtyping at the GP60 gene locus. Sequence analysis of GP60 gene fragment revealed the presence of a novel subtype VbA24 of Cryptosporidium cuniculus. In this outbreak a Cryptosporidium protozoan parasite played a major role in the etiology of the gastrointestinal disorders in rabbits resulting in massive mortality of the infected animals.