Monitoring of libido and semen quality parameters in melatonin‐treated French alpine bucks during the non‐breeding season

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous melatonin on libido and semen quality parameters in bucks during the non‐breeding season. Twelve bucks of the French alpine breed from 1.5 to 4 years of age were assigned into melatonin (MG) and control (CG) groups, with 6 bucks in each group. The experimental period was 3 months (March–May), divided into six periods of 15 days each. The bucks in the MG group received four melatonin implants at the end of March. Two semen samples were taken from the bucks by artificial vagina once per week and their libido estimated. Volume and spermatozoa concentration, their mass motility and motility, proportion of live and total abnormal and forms with abnormal head and tail were determined in the obtained ejaculate samples. The total number of spermatozoa and functional spermatozoa fraction in the ejaculate was also calculated. The MG bucks had significantly higher mass motility and motility of spermatozoa in the first half of April, and a higher proportion of live spermatozoa in the first and second half of April (p < .05). Differences in libido intensity were not significant. The results indicated that the application of melatonin significantly improved the qualitative parameters of semen in bucks, as seen in increased mass motility, motility of spermatozoa and proportion of live spermatozoa shortly following melatonin insertion. Therefore, the results of the current study are novel regarding the use of melatonin treatment during the non‐breeding season to improve the qualitative parameters of ejaculates in bucks.     

Sedimentary records of the Zrmanja River estuary,eastern Adriatic coast—natural vs. anthropogenic impacts

Purpose

Investigations of geochemical characteristics of sediments of the Zrmanja River estuary were done in order to determine the natural and anthropogenic factors influencing sediment composition in this area. For that purpose, spatial and temporal distribution of major and trace elements in the sediments and surrounding soils was studied.

Materials and methods

Sediment and soil samples, including one marl sample, were collected at 28 locations. All samples were subjected to total digestion and subsequently analysed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) for total concentration of 20 elements (Ag, Al, As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ti and Y). Obtained concentrations and their normalized counterparts were used for assessment of factors influencing sedimentation in the study area.

Results and discussion

The results of the analysis showed that the composition of sediments of the Zrmanja River estuary is primarily determined by the composition of bedrock, existing hydrodynamic conditions and the relative isolation of the studied basin. Nevertheless, anthropogenic influences were observed as well. The composition of the Zrmanja River sediments reflects the impact of the ex-alumina factory “Jadral” and transfer by wind of the material from its immediate surroundings to the water system of the Zrmanja River. In addition, sedimentation in the Zrmanja River was found to be influenced by the construction of reservoirs and the HE “Velebit”, hydroelectric power plant located in the Zrmanja watershed.

Conclusions

The geochemical composition of recent sediments of the Zrmanja River estuary is controlled primarily by natural factors, although the influence of anthropogenic activities is also evident.

     

First report of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus on Fraxinus excelsior in Montenegro

During the monitoring of the mycological complex on different forest tree species in the Biogradska Gora National Park in north‐east Montenegro, symptoms indicative of ash dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus were observed on young Fraxinus excelsior trees in the protected virgin forest, including dieback of plants and branches, wilting of leaves and shoots leading to a “flag‐like” habitus, premature shedding of leaves and longitudinal bark necroses. Using standard isolation methods, slow‐growing cultures with numerous phialides, typical of the asexual phase of the ash dieback fungus, were obtained. In addition, petioles with numerous characteristic apothecia were also recorded. This is the first report of H. fraxineus on common ash in Montenegro. Possible pathways of introduction and implications of the findings are discussed.     

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) as possible indicator of wartime metal and metalloid contamination in eastern Croatia (ICP-MS method)

Biomonitoring of the local population and environmental monitoring in eastern Croatia have revealed abnormalities in metal and metalloid distribution that could be related to war activities during the 1990s. The goal of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the concentrations of metals and metalloids by comparing locations of high and low-intensity combat activity; we also evaluated a possible connection between metal contamination in soil and in humans. We sampled 14 locations and measured the concentrations of 20 war related metals and metalloids (Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, U, V and Zn). The results of principal components analysis showed two main clusters: locations Dopsin and Dalj (both characterized by high-intensity combat activity), where the concentrations of most elements (except Hg) were increased. Although the concentrations of metals and metalloids in cabbage samples collected in eastern Croatia did not exceed the maximum allowed values, the results of our study confirmed existance of environmental ‘hotspot’ with higher concentrations of war metals and metalloids. Our findings indicate that there is a possible common source and mechanism of transferring metals from the environment to the population.     

Comparison of bacterial culture and real-time PCR for the detection of Salmonella in grow-finish pigs in Western Canada using a Bayesian approach

The study objective was to evaluate the accuracy of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a culture protocol used to detect Salmonella in the faeces of grow-finish pigs using a Bayesian approach. The RT-PCR was invA-gene-based assay, while the culture protocol included pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water, selective enrichment in tetrathionate and Rappaport-Vassiliadis broths, and isolation on semi-solid (modified semi-solid RV) or solid (XLT4, Rambach) agar plates. Bayesian analysis was performed using a two-test, two-population model with dependence between culture and RT-PCR and compared to a second model with conditional independence between these two tests. Two hundred and ninety three individual faecal and 294 pooled pen samples from grow-finish pig collected from 10 farms were tested and results were divided into two groups according to herd size (five herds <250 sows, five herds with >400 sows). In the dependence model, RT-PCR sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) were estimated to be 90% (95% probability interval 74, 97) and 99% (98, 99), respectively. Culture Se was 92% (75, 99), while culture Sp was considered 100% as all culture-positive samples were confirmed by serotyping. In the conditional independence model, RT-PCR Se and Sp, and culture Se, were 96% (93, 98), 99% (98, 100) and 97% (94, 100), respectively. The dependence model resulted in posterior estimates of Se that were lower and with broader probability intervals than the independence model, indicating that when RT-PCR and culture are evaluated relative to each other, the correlation between these tests is an important source of bias and should be adjusted for during analysis. The RT-PCR evaluated in this study performed almost comparably to culture; given the cost savings associated with using this test and more timely results, the RT-PCR may be a useful alternative to culture for screening large numbers of samples, particularly when Salmonella prevalence is low.     

Effects of feeding buffering mineral mixture on subacute rumen acidosis and some production traits in dairy cows

This trial was designed in order to evaluate the incidence of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) during early lactation and to investigate the possibilities for its prevention by use of a buffering mineral mixture. On the beginning of the trial it was found that the pH value of rumen fluid in 4 animals was lower than normal (pH < 6.0) and that 20% of animals have had SARA. The control and the experimental group of cows were fed the same meal with exception of concentrated feed which in the experimental group contained the mineral mix with buffering activity in amount of 1%. Continuous addition of buffering mineral mixture in the amount of 1% in concentrated feed for early lactation cows successfully prevents SARA formation and leads to increased milk production, as well as increased milk fat and protein content.     

Molecular tracing of the transmission routes of bois noir in Mediterranean vineyards of Montenegro and experimental evidence for the epidemiological role of Vitex agnus‐castus (Lamiaceae) and associated Hyalesthes obsoletus (Cixiidae)

Epidemiological aspects and transmission routes of bois noir (BN), a grapevine yellows disease induced by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, have been exhaustively studied in the affected vineyards of continental Europe but not in the Mediterranean coastal zone. Because ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ and its principal vector Hyalesthes obsoletus presumably originate from the Mediterranean, gaining knowledge of the epidemiological peculiarities of the disease in this area is essential for understanding its global spread and diversification, as well as for designing local management strategies. In this study, molecular epidemiology was applied to trace transmission pathways of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ in the Mediterranean vineyards of Montenegro, using multilocus sequence typing of tuf, vmp1 and stamp genes of the isolates associated with various hosts. Thus, ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ was tracked from a tentative reservoir plant (inoculum source) through an associated vector population to the infected grapevine. Three pathways of transmission were documented, originating from Urtica dioica, Convolvulus arvensis and Vitex agnus‐castus; however, only the route originating from U. dioica was direct, whereas the latter two were overlapping and could be intermixed. Vitex agnus‐castus is a natural source of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’, representing an important link in disease epidemiology in the Mediterranean and a possible origin of several genotypes occurring in central Europe. Experimental confirmation of the role of Vitex‐associated H. obsoletus in BN transmission in Montenegrin vineyards indicates its tentative role as a vector in the wide area of the Mediterranean, where some of the major wine‐producing regions are located.     

Integrative approach of histopathology and histomorphometry of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) organs as a marker of general fish health state in pond culture

The semi‐intensive system of common carp monoculture in earthen ponds is currently the most practiced fish rearing system in several countries in Eastern Europe. This system is based on the addition of supplemented feed to ponds to achieve faster growth. In this study, the general state of the fish health was monitored when three different types of feeds were used: grain cereals (CF), commercial pelleted feed and extruded feed. The markers used were: (i) the histopathological index (HP) of the main organs: gills, liver and kidney; and (ii) the histomorphometric parameters of the hepatocytes and enterocytes to assess the state of the digestive system in fish fed different types of supplemented feed. At the end of the experiment, the fish were in good health, since irreversible lesions were not noticed to a greater extent in any of the fish organs. There were also no other severe lesions present. However, the results showed differences in the HP indices of the liver and gills, as well as the total HP index, indicating a better health status of the fish in the CF group. The histomorphometric results showed larger cytoplasmic areas of hepatocytes in fish fed CF, which is attributed to glycogen accumulation and higher numbers of goblet cells in the distal intestines of fish fed compound feeds. This can be attributed to slight inflammation.     

Nutrient efficacy of microalgae as aquafeed additives for the adult black tiger prawn,Penaeus monodon

This study used a small amount of several lyophilized microalgae (5% of dry weight in aquafeed) to feed adult black tiger prawns Penaeus monodon for 4 weeks, aiming to promote prawn health and nutritional level. Apart from slight increases in ash content, chlorophyll and β‐carotene in the microalgae‐added feeds, there was no difference from the commercial diet in their biochemical composition. After 28 days of feeding, prawn body length, body weight, condition index and also total amount of fatty acids and amino acids of the flesh (2nd abdominal segment) were not affected by microalgae additives as compared with the control commercial diet‐fed group (P > 0.05). Prawns fed the microalgae diets, however, had a relatively better survival rate than those fed the commercial control diet, although no statistical significance was detected in any except for the diatom Melosira sp. The elevated survival rate was concomitant with a higher phagocytosis rate and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the immune response analysis, and significantly a higher astaxanthin content detected in the tail muscle of microalgae diet‐fed prawns (5.36–10.78 ng of astaxanthin per gram of muscle DW). These findings demonstrated that low‐inclusion microalgal additives in prawn diets over a short feeding period (4 weeks) can result in healthier adult prawn, and hence could contribute to the development of an optimized feeding strategy for prawn aquaculture close to harvesting.