Oxidative stress parameters in bitches with mammary gland tumours

The aim of the present study was to describe some of the oxidative stress parameters in bitches suffering from spontaneously occurring mammary gland tumours. The experiment involved 28 bitches which had mammary gland tumours removed surgically (15 bitches with malignant tumour and 13 with benign tumour) as well as 10 clinically healthy bitches. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in haemolysates of erythrocytes derived from the animals. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as well as -SH groups, were determined in blood plasma. GSH-Px activity was significantly higher in the malignant tumour group than in healthy animals. SOD activity was significantly higher in animals with tumours compared with the control group. Activities of both enzymes were higher in animals with malignant tumours than in benign groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. The concentrations of TBARS and -SH groups were similar in all examined groups. The increase of antioxidative enzyme activities in these animals may suggest the activation of antioxidative defence mechanisms in mammary gland carcinogenesis. Moreover, it might indicate the participation of oxidative stress in malignancies. Further experiments involving more animals, with more frequent sample collection and the use of other oxidative stress markers are necessary.     

Modification of zearalenone structure in model and natural conditions

Zearalenone is a mycotoxin widely occurring in cereals and animal feed, and it is associated with hyperestrogenism and other reprodutive disorders in animals. A new method of detoxication of feedstuffs involves alkaline hydrolysis of toxic macrolactone (1) (as well as model compounds (2a, 2b)). The method caused modification of zearalenone structure under mild conditions and the toxin underwent irreversible hydrolysis with high efficiency.     

Preliminary results of monitoring research on zearalenone presence in blood of women with neoplastic lesions in reproductive system

The aim of the monitoring of zearalenone presence in the blood plasma of women with neoplastic lesions in the reproductive tract was to asses whether the phytosteride is noted in the patients blood and whether the correlation exists between its presence and the incidence of particular neoplasm. The presence of zearalenone or its metabolite--alpha-zearalenole, was noted in 13.51% of the examined women. In 60% of the patients with the confirmed presence of the xenobiotic it was noted in the lowest concentrations. These patients had neoplastic lesions of Carcinoma corpus uteri type.     

Thyroid hormones concentrations and ECG picture in the dog

Disorders of the thyroid gland activity are the most commonly encountered disturbances of endocrine origin in the dog. Hypo- or hyperthyroidism may disturb the function of the cardiovascular system and cause arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of thyroid gland activity on electrocardiogram (ECG) picture in the dog by comparing ECG curves of healthy dogs, dogs with hypothyroidism and dogs with cardiac insufficiency caused by endocardiosis of the mitral valve. The study was performed on 38 dogs, patients of the Department of Internal and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats in Wroc?aw. The animals were assigned to 3 groups: Group I--control group, 13 clinically healthy dogs; Group II--14 dogs with diagnosed cardiac insufficiency caused by endocardiosis of the mitral valve; Group III--11 dogs with hypothyroidism. Clinical examination of the animals was conducted according to the following pattern: anamnesis, general clinical examination, cardiological examination (ECG, USG of the heart) and laboratory analysis (triacylglycerydes, cholesterol, T3, T4, FT4). In this study, the significant influence of thyroid gland activity on ECG picture of the evaluated dogs was found. In the dogs with hypothyroidism a decrease in the sino-atrial node activity was observed, which led to decreased heart rate. In dogs with hypothyroidism, the innerheart conduction was reduced, which was demonstrated by prolongation of the P wave, QRS complex and the QT interval.     

The impact of zearalenone on the level of the selected estrogens in blood serum of sexually immature gilts

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of low dose (LOEL - lowest observed effect level) of zearalenone (200 microg/kg b.w.), applied per os for 7 days (short-term intoxication), on sexual behavior, concentration of the examined xenobiotic and its metabolite and selected estrogens in sexually immature gilts: ovariohysterectomised (group D1) and intact (group D2) animals. Clinical signs of oestrus (reddening, oedema and hyperaemia of the vulva and serorhoea from the reproductive tract--lack of standing reflex) were obserwed in group D1 on day 6 and in group D2 on day 4 of the experiment. Laboratory analyses of blood plasma were carried out determine the presence of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenole. They revealed an increase in the level of alpha-zearalenol before the oestrus, decrease in total amount of both examined substances on day when the oestrus appeared and increase in the level of both examined xenobiotics in the post oestrus period together with the higher share of zearalenone. Medium concentrations of estrone and estradiol within the borders of method determination in the majority of periods examined. Higher levels of estrone (32.0 pg/ml) were found on day 4, in the group D2 and estradiol (6.5 pg/ml) on day 6 in the D2 group. The presents study revealed that zearalenone applied per os at LOEL dose causes the incidence of apparent sexual readiness (without standing reflex) in sexually immature gilts with the somatically immature reproductive system.     

Yeasts and algae isolated from cows with mastitis in the south-eastern part of Poland

The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of mycotic and protohecal mastitis in herds in south-eastern part of Poland. A total of 3091 milk samples from udder quarters with clinical and subclinical mastitis from 29 dairy herds was investigated in this survey. Milk samples were plated as soon as possible on blood agar (BA), Mac Conkey agar, aesculin-tallium acetate-crystal violet agar, and Sabouraud agar. A hundred and thirty one yeast (4.23%) and eleven Protoheca zopfii (0.35%) strains were isolated from cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis. All the isolated fungi were the yeast classified into 4 genera (Candida, Trichosporon, Saccharomyces and Rhodotorula). The most frequently isolated yeasts were Candida sp., C. kefyr, C. humicola, C. rugosa and C. inconspicua. Both fungi and algae were isolated first of all during a confinement-housing season.     

Pathomorphological and immunohistochemical study of selected markers of tumour cell proliferation in equine sarcoids

The purpose of the study was a pathomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis of tumour cells and connective tissue in equine sarcoids. Investigations were performed using histopathological, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical (PCNA, p53, cytokeratin, vimentin) and histochemical (Ag-NORs) methods. The study was conducted on 50 sarcoids originating from 36 horses and classified as occult, verrucous, fibroblastic and a mixed type of sarcoid based on their clinical appearance. Most of the tumours were located on the girth (30%), neck (24%), head (12%), and legs (12%). The average age of the horses at the first clinical examination was 5.7 years. The sarcoids occurred on the skin of mares (61%), geldings (31%) and stallions (8%), the predominant was Wielkopolska breed (41%) and mixed breeds with Wielkopolska breed (41%). The predominant colour was bay (80%). The data showed that the presence of characteristic, microscopic features was variable but it was not consistent enough to allow differentiation of the clinical types based on histopathology. PCNA expression was not characteristic for the clinical type of sarcoid but it appeared to be a useful tool for the determination of the biological activity of the tumour and the probability of its recurrence. No relationship was found between AgNORs and cell proliferation. The study demonstrated the presence of p53 positive cells in the epidermal and fibroblastic portions. Numerous p53-positive cells were observed in the sarcoids and tended to recurrence. The staining for cytokeratin and vimentin makes the diagnosis of tumour easier. The immunohistochemical studies of PCNA, and p53 are of great significance to the prognosis.     

Contents of selected heavy metals in the liver, kidneys and abdominal muscle of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) in Central Pomerania, Poland

The content of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, lead, and cadmium was determined in the kidney, liver, and abdominal muscle of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus), a species known for its bioindicative potential in environmental quality assessment. The animals assayed were divided into immature (in their first year of life; n=25) and adult (n=39). The hares were acquired in an area situated far away from major cities and direct impacts of industrial and transport pollution. The zinc content found in the assayed hare's muscles (25.9 microg/g w.w.) and that of manganese in the kidneys, liver, and muscles (2, 2.51 i 0.85 microg/g w.w., respectively) tended to be higher than those reported from the brown hare elsewhere in Europe. The content of cadmium (particularly in the kidneys) and lead proved substantial and close to those typical of the hare inhabiting industry-affected areas. Analysis of the data pooled for all the individuals showed Zn and Cd contents to increase with age in the kidneys, the liver Cd content increasing with age as well; on the other hand, the age-Cu content was negative. In addition, a number of significant correlations between the metals themselves were revealed, particularly with respect to Zn-Cd correlation in kidneys (r(s)=0.47), Fe-Cd, Zn-Cu, Mn-Zn, Mn-Cu, and Mn-Pb in the liver (r(s) of 0.42, 0.86, 0.72, 0.79, and 0.42, respectively), and Zn-Cu in the muscle (r(s)=0.56). The kidney cadmium content was higher by 81% in the adult than in the immature hare, the adult hare muscle copper content being lower by 15.5%.     

The effect of increased ozone concentrations in the air on selected aspects of rat reproduction

Five-month-old male rates were exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone for 50 days, 5 hours a day. A week before the completion of ozone exposure, a biological test was performed to determine the fertilization rate and the survival rate of newborns in both ozone-exposed and control animals. After 50 days, the rats were sacrificed with an overdose of halotane, and testes were collected to assess the morphology and motility of spermatozoa. Neither the morphology of spermatozoa nor motility parameters determined by the CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) system showed statistically significant differences between ozone-exposed and control males. The number of successful matings and the survival rate of newborns per litter within one year postpartum were also similar in both groups. However, sperm concentration was by 17% lower in ozone-exposed rats, compared with the control animals.     

Mapping of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">ms8</Emphasis> male sterility gene in sweet pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.) on the chromosome P4 using PCR-based markers useful for breeding programmes

The nuclear male sterility gene ms8 is expected to facilitate the production of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrids as it provides means for hybridization without the labor-intensive hand emasculation of female inbred lines. The development of molecular markers linked to ms8 locus will help the breeding practice for the selection of hybrid parental lines. In this study, F₂ population resulting from a cross between the sweet pepper male sterile line 320 and the male fertile variety Elf was used to identify DNA markers linked to the ms8 locus. With the use of RAPD–BSA technique, seven markers linked to the ms8 locus were found. Four of them were converted into SCAR markers. In addition, two COSII/CAPS markers linked to the ms8 locus were identified. Comparative mapping with reference pepper maps indicated that the ms8 locus is located on the lower arm of the pepper chromosome P4. Identified markers are useful for molecular breeding, however, at present markers tightly linked to ms8 locus are still lacking. Identification of molecular markers linked to the ms8 locus and determination of its chromosomal localization are useful for fine mapping and also provide the perspective for ms8 gene cloning.