Dynamics of yolk sac resorption and post-hatching development of the gastrointestinal tract in chickens, ducks and geese

Under similar environmental conditions, 100 male Shaver-Starbro hybrid chickens, 100 male Mulard cross-line ducklings and 100 male Landaise goslings kept in 30 metabolic cages from the first day of life (10 birds of each species separately per cage) were chosen for the study. The animals were fed semi ad libitum diets with crude protein content and energy density similar to that used for poultry species, avoiding feed residues. During the first 21 days of life they received starter diets and from day 22 to 42 grower diets. Maize accounted for 23-40% and barley constituted 10-18%. Wheat accounted for 20.0% in starter diets and 10-18% in grower diets. Resorption of yolk sac residues, performance, development of the intestinal tract in young chickens, ducklings and goslings were assessed. During the first 5 days of life intensive absorption of yolk sac ingredients was observed. On day 7, residues of the yolk sac were found in more than 30% of chickens compared with approximately 10% in geese. In ducklings residues of the yolk sac were not found. On day 16 unabsorbed yolk sacs were found in approximately 10% of chickens. Liver and pancreas weighed the highest in geese and in ducks; in chickens the weight of these organs was significantly lower (p < 0.01). The relative values calculated to 100 g of metabolic body weight show that the average small intestine in chickens was significantly longer (p < 0.01) than in ducks or geese. The intestinal tract developed earlier in the chicken than in the water fowl.     

Use of active substances of plant origin in chicken diets based on maize and locally grown cereals

1. A total of 336 Hubbard Hi-Y broiler hybrids were fed from d 1-41 on diets based on maize or wheat and barley which were supplemented (or not) with 100 mg/kg plant extract consisting of capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol. 2. Body weight was not enhanced, but feed conversion improved by 4.2% on the maize diet and 2.0% on the wheat and barley diet. 3. Plant extract addition enhanced the breast muscle proportion of empty body weight by 1.2% in comparison to control birds. 4. The apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients (crude protein, fibre and amino acids) was not significantly better in birds fed on supplemented diets than in the control group. 5. Reduction of E. coli, Clostridium perfringens and fungi and increase of Lactobacillus spp. were observed in the 41-d-old chickens from the supplemented groups. 6. An increase in the lipase activity in pancreas and intestine wall was found in older birds fed on the plant extract supplemented diets.     

In vitro evidence that leptin suppresses melatonin secretion during long days and stimulates its secretion during short days in seasonal breeding ewes

Recent observations in seasonal-breeding mammals indicate that the hypothalamus is programmed to become leptin resistant during long days (LD) and leptin sensitive during short days (SD). These observations support the possibility that photoperiod mediates at least part of its effects on melatonin secretion through changes in leptin sensitivity. Herein we examined the interaction of season and recombinant ovine leptin (oleptin) on melatonin secretion by pineal explants in short-term culture. Glands were collected after sunset from eight ewes during LD (March, April, May, June) and from an additional eight ewes during SD (September, October, November, December). Glands were transected saggitally and coronally into quarters, with each equilibrated in 2.5ml of DMEM for 120min, followed by a 3h incubation in medium containing either 0 or 50ng/ml of oleptin. Treatment with oleptin reduced (P<0.001) melatonin secretion compared to controls during LD by approximately 22% at 2, 2.5 and 3h of culture. However, in cultures from glands collected during SD, oleptin stimulated (P<0.078) melatonin secretion approximately 50% compared to control. These effects were consistent throughout each respective season. We conclude that the secretion of melatonin from the ovine pineal gland is negatively responsive to leptin during LD, whereas leptin may stimulate melatonin secretion during SD.     

Changes in nitrogen level and mycorrhizal structure of Scots pine seedlings inoculated with Thelephora terrestris

? We investigated the influence of Thelephora terrestris, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, on the concentration of nitrogen in needles of Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings and their mycorrhizal structure within four seasons of growth.

? Seedlings were grown in four treatments: (I) inoculated + 0.030 g N, (II) inoculated + 0.045 g N, (III non-inoculated + 0.030 g N, (IV) non-inoculated + 0.045 g N under laboratory conditions and later planted in post-agricultural land.

? For inoculated treatments, statistically significant differences in N concentration of needles were observed for two- and four-year-old seedlings. The number of ectomycorrhizae and concentration of N in needles were negatively correlated. After four seasons of growth the greatest numbers of ectomycorrhizae were present on seedlings from treatment II, and the smallest on seedlings from treatment IV.

? Two-year-old seedlings had been colonized by at least six different fungal taxa, i.e. Cenococcum geophilum, Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Rhizopogon sp., Suillus bovinus, Thelephora terrestris and a non-identified one. Treatments I and II were dominated by the ectomycorrhizae of T. terrestris and their number was significantly greater than in treatments III or TV. On four-year-old seedlings ectomycorrhizae of T. terrestris were dominated in all treatments, while ectomycorrhizae of Hebeloma sp. were not found.

     

Effect of Sea-Buckthorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippophaë rhamnoides</Emphasis> L.) Pulp Oil Consumption on Fatty Acids and Vitamin A and E Accumulation in Adipose Tissue and Liver of Rats

An in vivo experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sea-buckthorn pulp oil feeding on the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue of Wistar rats and the liver accumulation of retinol, its esters and α-tocopherol. For a period of 28 days, rats were given a modified casein diet (AIN-93) in which sea-buckthorn pulp oil, soybean oil and pork lard were used as sources of fat. Compared to the other fat sources, sea-buckthorn pulp oil was the most abundant in C16 fatty acids, carotenoids (mainly β-carotene) and tocopherols (mainly α-tocopherol). Its consumption was reflected in an increased share of palmitoleic acid in adipose tissue and the liver and an increased level of retinol in liver tissues (this was not observed for its esters). Although the type of fat did not have a significant effect on the average content of α-tocopherol in the liver, the variation of saturation of this tissue with α-tocopherol was the lowest when rats were fed a diet containing sea-buckthorn oil. This experiment indicates the possibility of affecting adipose tissue and liver by a diet.     

Test of Mendelian segregation among 10 microsatellite loci in the fourth generation of bester (Huso huso L. ×Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Ten microsatellite loci were tested on Mendelian segregation in the bester – hybrid of beluga, Huso huso L. and sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus L. in the fourth generation. All studied loci showed disomic inheritance and Mendelian segregation of their alleles. The molecular approach by microsatellite DNA analysis represents a reliable tool for interspecific characterization of sturgeons and their hybrids (different alleles of several loci are present in sturgeon fishes, and interspecific hybrids posesses both maternal and paternal specific alleles). This is the first report of the Mendelian segregation testing in interspecific hybrid of acipenserid fishes using microsatellite DNA markers.     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).     

Procyanidin oligomers from Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) fruit inhibit activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 metalloproteinases

The influence of procyanidin extract from Japanese quince fruit on the activities of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted to culture medium by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and by human leukemia HL-60 cells was investigated by gelatin zymography. The extract proved to be an effective inhibitor of the enzymes activities (for MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted by PBMC IC50 = 16-19 microg extract/mL and 22-25 microg extract/mL, respectively). To identify the most effective components of the extract it was fractionated by means of column chromatography on TSKgel Toyopearl HW-40 (S) bed. The obtained fractions were analyzed by TLC, HPLC, and MALDI-TOF MS. Their antioxidant activity was measured as cation radicals ABTS(.+) scavenging efficiency. The fractions VIII-XIV containing oligomers from trimer to hexamer (and probably higher oligomers) appeared to be the most effective inhibitors of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity (IC50 value close to 4.6 microg total polyphenols/mL). To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report on gelatinase-inhibitory activity of Japanese quince fruit polyphenol extract. We conclude that polyphenols from Japanese quince can be used in cancer chemoprevention, although further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their biological activities.     

Urban regeneration in urban functional areas in Poland as an instrument of implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy

This study examines the role of urban regeneration policies in planning and governance within urban functional areas (UFAs) in Poland, in the context of the EU Cohesion Policy (CP). The empirical part of this study is based on comparing the approaches adopted in two Polish regions: Pomerania and Silesia. We describe the first successes but also the bottlenecks of the process, from negotiations and programming up to the implementation of the first tranche of integrated projects. We consider the factors that strengthen planning and governance within UFAs, while simultaneously influencing the local development, and territorial impacts of the EU Cohesion Policy in the given regions. This study is based on interviews with national, regional, and local actors. It defines the role of urban regeneration policies in shaping local socio-economic and spatial development in these regions and identifies the conditions required for the implementation of urban regeneration in functional areas. We also draw lessons for the future CP programming period from the experience of Polish regions, among the main beneficiaries of the EU Cohesion Policy. By evaluating the influence of Cohesion Policy at different government levels, our study may influence the discourse on its future, particularly in the context of strengthening the cooperation and multilevel governance.