Expression of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF‐A) and its Receptors in the Umbilical Cord in the Course of Pregnancy in the Pig

The umbilical cord (UC) and the placenta are important organs through which respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes and biologically active substances are exchanged between the maternal and the foetal system. A rapid placental vascularization observed in the second half of pig pregnancy is positively correlated with the mRNA expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Based on these findings, we hypothesized that VEGF may have a stimulatory effect in the dynamically growing UC. To further understand the role of the VEGF–VEGFR system during UC development, mRNA and protein expression as well as the cellular localization of VEGF‐A, VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 in UC were examined on days 40, 60, 75 and 90 of pregnancy and after physiological delivery in the pig (day 114 of pregnancy). Real Time RT‐PCR analysis showed an increase in the mRNA levels of VEGF120 and VEGF164 from day 90 of pregnancy. VEGFR‐1 mRNA expression was significantly increased on day 75 of pregnancy. No significant changes in VEGFR‐2 mRNA expression were detected. In turn, western blot analysis revealed an increase in VEGF‐A protein expression on day 40, compared to the later days of pregnancy. A rapid increase in the VEGFR‐1 protein level was noted on day 75 and 90 of gestation. No significant changes in VEGFR‐2 protein expression were detected on any of the analysed days of pregnancy. Immunohistochemical staining enabled detection of VEGF–VEGFR system, in endothelial and tunica media cells of the umbilical vessels and in allantoic duct and amniotic epithelium on all analysed days of pregnancy. Positive reactions for VEGF‐A and VEGFR‐1, but not VEGFR‐2, were also observed in myofibroblasts. In conclusion, this data shows that members of the VEGF–VEGFR system are temporally and spatially well localized for playing key roles during umbilical cord formation and its intensive growth observed after day 75 of pregnancy.     

Does meatiness of pigs depend on the level of gastro-intestinal parasites infection?

The aim of the present paper was to determine an influence of the presence and a level of intestine parasites infection on the quality of pork carcass expressed by the content of meat in carcass (meatiness) in pigs. The experimental part of the study was conducted on pigs farm produced in a closed cycle. The population in the study included 120 fattening pigs maintained in two keeping systems: group I--60 individuals kept on slatted floor, and group II--60 individuals kept on deep litter. All the experimental animals were treated in the same manner. The analysed fatteners were slaughtered in Meat Processing Plant when their body mass reached 110 kg, and the post-slaughter assessment was conducted according to the EUROP classification of pigs carcass using the Ultra-Fom 300 device. The study concerning the internal parasites were conducted basing on coproscopic quantitative McMaster method. As a results, the eggs of three nematode taxa were isolated and identified: Oesophagostomum spp., Ascaris suum and Strongyloides ransomi. Overall prevalence of infection of fatteners kept on litter was lower (25%±11.2) as compared to those kept on slatted floor (38.3%±12.6), however the differences were not statistically significant (χ(2)=2.465; df=1; P=0.116). The mean value of meatiness for pigs free from parasites was 53.68, while in the case of infected pigs the meatiness was statistically lower and was 52.12 (t=2.35; P=0.02). The analysed pigs were classified into three categories and conducted analysis of an influence of parasites on meatiness demonstrate the relationship that is statistically significant. The analysis of correlation between meatiness and an average number of helminth eggs also demonstrated the negative, statistically significant, relationship (F=5.52; P=0.020), i.e. in fatteners with higher EPG value the meatiness was lower.     

Symptoms caused by potato virus S (PVS) and tobacco rattle virus (TRV) on detached leaves ofSolanum demissum Y

Summary Detached leaves ofSolanum demissum Y produced clear dark green and light brown necrotic ring spots 5–6 days after mechanical inoculation with PVS and dark brown necrotic rings and line patterns 6–7 days after inoculation with TRV. It appears to be a useful test plant for the detection of both viruses.     

Antimicrobial activity of Viola tricolor herb

The antimicrobial activity of infusion, decoction, ethanol extract and fractions obtained by successive extraction of Viola tricolor herb with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol was evaluated. The infusion, decoction and ethanol extract were found to be most effective against the tested microorganisms.     

Invalidity of three Palaearctic species of Triaenophorus tapeworms (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): evidence from morphometric analysis of scolex hooks

A comparative study of the scolex hook morphology of five species of tapeworms of the genus Triaenophorus Rudolphi, 1793 (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea), parasites of pikes (Esox lucius L. and E. reichertii Dybowski) in the Palaearctic Region, was carried out. Measurements of scolex hooks of 81 plerocercoids and 492 adults from different hosts and regions were compared using basic statistics and forward stepwise linear discriminant analysis. The shape of the scolex and that of tridental hooks were found to be suitable only for differentiation of the taxa with a similar shape of hooks, i.e. Triaenophorus nodulosus (Pallas, 1781) from T. amurensis Kuperman, 1968, and T. crassus Forel, 1868 from T. meridionalis Kuperman, 1968 and T. orientalis Kuperman, 1968, respectively. In contrast, discriminant analysis did not enable reliable separation of specimens of individual taxa of these two morphological groups due to high intraspecific variability and overlaps between species. This was reflected in low classification efficiencies (average 83%) of all species of the T. crassus group, whereas all T. amurensis specimens were misidentified as T. nodulosus. The new data also considerably enlarge (up to twofold) the size range of the species described by Kuperman in 1968, which invalidates suitability of the most important discriminant characteristic, the width of the basal plate, for delimitation of Triaenophorus species. Based on the present data, all Kuperman's taxa are considered to represent only distinct geographical populations of T. nodulosus and T. crassus. As a result, T. anmurensis is synonymized with T. nodulosus, whereas T. orientalis is considered to be a synonym of T. crassus. Previous synonymisation of T. ineridionalis with T. crassus, first proposed by Dubinina (1987), is also accepted.     

Effect of chicory products with different inulin content on rat caecum physiology

A 4-week experiment carried out on rats addressed the analysis of physiological properties of model casein diets supplemented with 5% cellulose or different preparations of chicory roots: flour, pulp, high- and low-molecular inulin (IN(HM) and IN(LM) respectively). Of all preparations, only pulp did not induce the hypertrophy of caecum walls or an increase in the bulk of caecal digesta. Chicory preparations lowered caecal pH and ammonia concentration (except IN(LM) preparation), evoked increased hydration of caecal digesta and protein content. The highest concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was observed in rats fed a diet containing chicory pulp and IN(HM), whereas the lowest VFA concentration was reported after the administration of an IN(LM)-containing diet. The VFA pool was the highest in rats receiving a diet supplemented with chicory flour. All preparations examined diminished the coefficient of protein digestibility but not decrease nitrogen retention. The lowest levels of glucose and total cholesterol, at concurrently the highest level of HDL fraction, were recorded in serum of rats fed IN(LM). A distinct increase in intestinal wall and intestinal digesta, as well as the highest production of VFA and the lowest pH of caecal digesta indicate that chicory flour ingested to a semi-synthetic diet had the most profitable effect on the functioning of rat caecum, compared with other chicory products. Compared with the IN(HM), the preparation of IN(LM) increased caecal wall hypertrophy without increasing VFA production, still simultaneously increasing ammonia content and pH of caecal digesta, decreasing the total cholesterol concentration and increasing HDL content in serum.     

Chloroguaiacols Change Some Antioxidative Parameters and Affect the Activity of Glutathione S-transferase in the Leaves of Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arudinacea)

In this work, we evaluated the effect of harmful ecotoxins, 4,5,6-trichloroguaicol (4,5,6-TCG) and tetrachloroguaiacol (TeCG), on the oxidation of the fluorescent probe dihydrorhodamine 123, the content of free phenols and the level of the total, oxidized and reduced glutathione in the leaves of reed canary grass (Phalaris arudinacea). Furthermore, the effect on the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase was investigated. Both 4,5,6-TCG and TeCG increased the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase, they also elevated the content of free phenols and the level of the total glutathione. A stronger effect was exerted by tetrachloroguaiacol, which strongly increased the level of the total glutathione and the content of free phenols on the 3rd and 6th day of the experiment. The activity of glutathione S-transferase was more intensively induced by trichloroguaiacol. Both 4,5,6-TCG and TeCG oxidized dihydrorodamine 123 and the effect was stronger in the presence of magnesium ions.     

Haematological parameters of the Polish Primitive Horses

Average values of chosen haematological parameters have been described in a population of 90 clinically normal Polish Primitive Horses. The comparison of the results with values given in literature for horses as a whole and for other breeds enabled us to state that Polish Primitive Horses' blood is characterized by relatively low values of RBC, PCV, segmented neutrophils and monocytes, and high percentage of lymphocytes. It was demonstrated that values of some blood parameters of examined animals are similar to typical results obtained for primitive and cold-blooded horses. Moreover, it was proved that age, sex, and season have influence upon many blood parameters' values of the Polish Primitive Horses. More precise evaluation of results received with that breed will be possible when that influence is taken into consideration.     

Nutritional value and physiological effects of soya-free diets fed to rats during growth and reproduction

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of substitution milk and egg for soya products in breeding diets for rats, with concomitant decrease of the dietary protein level and supplementation with amino acids. Soya-containing (S) and two soya-free (NS and NSA) diets were evaluated as protein and energy sources, and their effects on reproductive performance during two cycles, and on the quality of the offspring were assessed. Organ weights were registered in females and blood parameters were determined in males. In the offspring males from S and NS groups, plasma LH, testosterone and prolactin levels were measured on the 22nd and the 60th day of life. The S diet contained more protein of smaller concentration of methionine and cystine and lower biological value than both NS and NSA diets and promoted similar post-weaning growth rate, similar body weight changes of dams during gestation and lactation and slightly lower mating efficiency. Within each reproductive cycle, the number and individual and total body weight of newborn and weanling pups did not differ but in two cycles mean number of neonates per litter and mean litter weight were significantly lower on S than on NSA diet. Plasma concentration of hormones did not differ in 22-day-old offspring males while in the older ones LH and prolactin levels were higher in animals fed on S than on NS diet. It is concluded that replacing soya protein by milk and egg protein with concomitant lowering dietary protein level and amino acid supplementation does not impair the growth rate and tends to improve reproductive performance. Feeding soya-free vs. soya-containing diets differentiates hormonal status of young males.