Effect of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with long-acting oxytetracycline on non-specific immunity of calves suffering from enzootic bronchopneumonia

The aim of this paper was to compare the effect of flumethasone and meloxicam in combination with oxytetracycline on clinical and immunological parameters of calves suffering from enzootic bronchopneumonia. The study was performed on 30 Black-and-White Lowland Breed calves with clinical signs of enzootic bronchopneumonia divided randomly into three equal groups and, respectively, treated with-Group I: oxytetracycline and meloxicam; Group II: oxytetracycline and flumethasone; Group III (control): oxytetracycline only. Treatment of calves with the combination of oxytetracycline and meloxicam (Group I) caused a significantly faster, in comparison to other groups, improvement in the clinical illness index score (CIIS: cough, nasal discharge, dyspnea, depression and anorexia) and a faster normalization of body temperature. A slow decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count, the number of neutrophils, MID (mixed number of monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) and in the individual number of monocytes (CD14/CD45 positive cells) was observed in Groups I and III. In the blood of the calves which received oxytetracycline and flumethasone (Group II), leukocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis with concomitant lymphopenia and a low number of T cells (CD2+) was observed. Moreover, the calves treated with flumethasone exhibited a decrease in gamma-globulin concentration, and phagocytic parameters. Both drugs, flumethasone and meloxicam slightly decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) but meloxicam slightly increased the levels of interferon (IFN) in sera and in bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs). These results suggest that the combination of meloxicam with an antibiotic in calves suffering from enzootic bronchopneumonia is superior to the antibiotic alone and also to the combination of the antibiotic with flumethasone.     

Nitric oxide in bovine corpus luteum: Possible mechanisms of action in luteolysis

Although prostaglandin (PG) F_2α is considered as the principal luteolytic factor, its action on the bovine corpus luteum (CL) is mediated by other intraovarian factors. Among them, nitric oxide (NO) seems to play a mandatory role in luteolysis. In this article we review the background and current status of work on possible roles of NO in the CL function, based on available information and our own experimental data. NO is produced in all three main types of bovine CL cells: steroidogenic, endothelial and immune cells. PGF_2α and some luteolytic cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interferon) increase NO production and stimulate NO synthase expression in the bovine CL. NO inhibits progesterone production, stimulates the secretion of PGF_2α and leukotriene C4, reduces the number of viable luteal cells and, finally, participates in functional luteolysis. NO induces the apoptotic death of CL cells by the modulation of bcl‐2 family gene expression and the stimulation of caspase‐3 gene expression and activity. However, this simple molecule shows both luteolytic and luteotropic actions during the estrous cycle in ruminants. The aim of this overview is to present and discuss the recent findings crucial for understanding NO role in the process of CL regression in cattle.     

Influence of water salinity on the survival of embryos and growth of the sichel larvae Pelecus cultratus (L.) under controlled conditions

The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of water salinity on the incubation of eggs and growth of the larvae of sichel Pelecus cultratus (L.) under controlled conditions. The following water salinity was considered: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 0 ppt for the control. The eggs incubation time depended on the water salinity, lasting from 56.3°D [9 ppt] to 107.7°D [0 ppt]. The higher water salinity, shorter the incubation time. The highest survivability of larvae was obtained in water of the salinity equal 3 ppt and in freshwater, where respectively 87% and 84% of the larvae survived. No hatched larvae were obtained in water of the salinity of 12 and 15 ppt, as all embryos died during the experiment. Larvae were reared up for 21 days. The final body weight, depending on the water salinity, reached from 43.5 mg [9 ppt] to 74.6 mg [3 ppt], at the respective body lengths of 19.3 mm and 23.2 mm. The highest body gains and lengths of larvae were observed in water of the salinity of 3 ppt. The lowest survivability of sichel larvae occurred in water of the salinity 9 ppt, where it was only 53.2%. The survivability of larvae in freshwater and water of the salinity of 3 ppt was quite similar: 96.2% and 95.6% respectively. Water salinity degree of 12 and 15 ppt appeared to be lethal for both embryos and larvae of the sichel.     

The effect of paclobutrazol on mineral nutrition of apple seedlings 1

Greenhouse grown ‘Golden Delicious’ apple seedlings were treated with soil drenches of paclobutrazol (PP333) at rates equivalent to 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 kg of active ingredient (a.i.) ha.^‐1 Eleven weeks after treatment initiation, seedlings were harvested, divided into leaves, stems, and roots, weighed and analyzed for the content of macro‐and microelements. Shoot growth rate, leaf area, and total dry weight showed a decreasing trend with increasing rates of PP333. In contrast, specific leaf weight increased in response to growth regulator treatments. The total amount of N, Zn, and Cu absorbed by seedlings was not affected and that of K, Ca, Mg, and Mn was decreased by PP333 treatments. Concentration of Ca and Mn in leaves, N in roots, and N, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu in stems increased in response to PP333 treatments. The magnitude of these increases were dependent on the rate of growth regulator applied. Potassium was the only element which declined in concentration in leaves and stems; this was true, however, only at the two highest rates of PP333 (0.8 and 1.6 kg ha^‐1) Root K concentration was not affected by PP333 treatments.     

The effect of paclobutrazol on the growth and uptake of Ca and K by apple seedlings 1

Abstract

Addition of paclobutrazol (PP333) at 0.2 ppm to a nutrient solution in which 11‐month‐old apple seedlings were growing reduced terminal growth, fresh weight increase (FWI), transpiration and Ca and K uptake per seedling. Total root surface area was not affected by PP333 treatment. Reduced Ca uptake preceded the reduction in transpiration and FWI. In the case of K these changes were parallel. This may indicate that different mechanisms were responsible for reduced Ca and K uptake in PP333‐treated plants. At the conclusion of the experiment control and treated plants were absorbing similar amounts of Ca per unit of FWI. At the same time the amount of K uptake per unit of FWI was significantly lower in treated than control plants.     

Expression of Aldo-keto Reductase 1C23 in the Equine Corpus Luteum in Different Luteal Phases

Regression of the corpus luteum (CL) is characterized by a decay in progesterone (P₄) production (functional luteolysis) and disappearance of luteal tissues (structural luteolysis). In mares, structural luteolysis is thought to be caused by apoptosis of luteal cells, but functional luteolysis is poorly understood. 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) catabolizes P₄ into its biologically inactive form, 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP). In mares, aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C23, which is a member of the AKR superfamily, has 20α-HSD activity. To clarify whether AKR1C23 is associated with functional luteolysis in mares, we investigated the expression of AKR1C23 in the CL in different luteal phases. The luteal P₄ concentration and levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNA were higher in the mid luteal phase than in the late and regressed luteal phases (P<0.05), but the level of 3β-HSD protein was higher in the late luteal phase than in the regressed luteal phase (P<0.05). The luteal 20α-OHP concentration and the level of AKR1C23 mRNA were higher in the late luteal phase than in the early and mid luteal phases (P<0.05), and the level of AKR1C23 protein was also highest in the late luteal phase. Taken together, these findings suggest that metabolism of P₄ by AKR1C23 is one of the processes contributing to functional luteolysis in mares.     

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Fruit Juices

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Fruit and fruit juices are a valuable source of bioactive compounds, which can protect our organisms from oxidative stress. The phenolic compounds and other...