Effect of Pb(NO3)2 on poplar tissue culture and the ultrastructural localization of lead in culture cells

In tissue cultures of Populus maximowiczii Henry, Pb(NO₃)₂ had a restraining effect on fresh weight increase and anthocyanin content. In ultrastructural research Pb deposits of various size were mainly present in the intercellular spaces, cell walls (mainly in the region of the middle lamella), in the paramural bodies and in the vacuoles. Small deposits of this metal were also observed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), dictyosomes and dictyosome derivated vesicles.     

The effect of "Ferrodex", vitamin A and "Rovimix beta-carotene" on the iron and copper levels in blood plasma of calves

The effect of Ferrodex, vitamin A and synthetic beta-carotene on the content of iron and copper in the blood serum has been investigated in three groups of calves: I control group without vitamin supplements, II group received only once with the first colostrum dose 1.5 million IU of vitamin A, III group received Rovimix beta carotene containing 10 per cent of the synthetic beta carotene with Mlekomix from the 21st day to the 13th week of life. Moreover half of the calves from each group received Ferrodex intramusculary. Content of iron, total iron binding capacity by serum proteins, level of indirect and direct copper as well as the content of ceruloplasmin were determined in the blood serum of calves. Moreover hematocrit and hemoglobin content in the blood were determined. The results obtained show that a triple intramuscular injection of Ferrodex caused an increase of the level of iron, copper and ceruloplasmin in the blood serum of calves. However, a single administration of vitamin A to the calves or a continuous administration of Rovimix beta-carotene decreased significantly the level of iron and ceruloplasmin copper in blood serum as well as caused a more dynamic ceruloplasmin synthesis with a simultaneous increase in its utilization.     

The effect of energy-rich feed supplements for cows on the health of their calves]

Experiments were carried out with 24 pregnant cows and their calves. The cows were divided in 2 equal groups. One of these received a supplement of animal fat additional to the feed from 4 weeks a. p. to 6 weeks p. p. Apart from clinical examinations following laboratory investigations in the blood were performed: hematological parameters, cholesterol, lipids, free fatty acids, ketone bodies, protein, glucose, bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, Cl. The addition of fat to the feed of cows influenced the energy metabolism of the cows, the body weight of the newborn ones and some hematological parameters (incl. protein) of the calves positively.     

Effect on production and carcass quality characteristics of wether lambs of crossing Blackheaded Mutton,Ile de France and Texel rams with Polish Merino ewes

During the period 1972–1974 investigations were made on 120 wethers fattened semi-intensively to a weight of 45 kg liveweight. These lambs originated from commercial crosses of the Polish Merino with rams of the breeds Blackheaded Mutton (B), Ile de France (IF) and Texel (T) as well as pure Merino (M) in the control group.The use of rams of these meat-producing breeds as compared with Merino gave a better growth rate: an increase in the group IF × M of 6.2%, B × M of 7.8% and T × M of 8.8% respectively. The feed consumption, expressed in starch equivalents per kg of weight, decreased in group IF × M by 11.6%, B × M by 15.1% and T × M by 15.6%, and total digestible protein decreased in the group IF × M by 12.1%, B × M by 16.6% and T × M by 16.9%.Crosses with Blackheaded Mutton and Ile de France rams did not fundamentally change the tissue composition of the lamb carcasses. However, the use of Texel rams resulted in carcasses with a higher lean content and less fat as compared with pure Merino (difference 5.7%) as well as with other crosses (differences 4.2–4.8%).Rams of the meat breeds tested did not greatly influence dressing percentage and carcass yield in terms of bone content and the proportion of valuable cuts; nor were dimensions affected, except for a decrease in length of 2–3.5% compared with Merino.     

The influence of different factors on selenium levels in dairy cow herds in the central-eastern region of Poland

Selenium has been recognised as a basic bioelement that determines normal development and health of animals and humans alike. Studies of many authors revealed the influence of selenium deficiency on immunity, health, reproduction and production of dairy cows. Selenium deficiency have been reported in a number of countries, for example in different regions of Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the Se levels in blood serum of dairy cows in the Lublin region. In the periods: autumn 2003, winter 2003 and autumn 2004 selenium concentrations were investigated in serum samples from 180 dairy cows. The samples were obtained from 11 farms. The selenium concentrations were estimated with the ASA method. The monitoring studies have found that Se serum levels are dependent on season of the year, physiological period, maintenance systems and methods of feeding. Mean selenium serum levels observed in the study were between 0.21-0.92 micromol/l, especially (micromol/l): lactation 0.74 +/- 0.13, drying-off period 0.67 +/- 0.15, autumn 2003 0.38 +/- 0.17, winter 2003 0.48 +/- 0.16, autumn 2004 0.69 +/- 0.18. These results suggest that selenium should be supplemented, especially in high-producing dairy cow herds.     

A local pathway for increased testosterone supply from the testis to the epididymis, vas deferens and accessory genital glands of the rat

Radiolabeled testosterone (3H-T) was infused into the testes or left and right mesofuniculus (106 dpm) or injected into a testes (2 x 10(6) dpm). The 3H-T concentration was estimated 15 or 10 min after 3H-T infusion or injection, respectively, in the tissue samples collected from the prostate, seminal vesicles, caput and cauda epididymides, vasa deferentia and the mesofuniculi. The abdominal aorta and posterior vena cava were cannulated, and the posterior part of the body perfused with blood (at blood pressure 70-140 or 260-300 mm Hg in abdominal aorta) was used to study 3H-T transfer from the testes to venous blood and other male genital organs. The concentration of 3H-T found in the accessory genital glands, epididymes and vasa deferentia was affected by blood pressure in the abdominal aorta. The reduced blood pressure and partial blocking of blood supply to the genital organs (after ligation of both testicular arteries or the terminal part of the abdominal aorta) increased the concentration of 3H-T in accessory genital glands, vasa deferentia and epididymes. The removal of the mesofuniculi and vasa deferentia with their mesoducti reduced 3H-T concentration in the prostate, seminal vesicles and cauda epididymides. Both arterial trunks, testicular arteries and common iliac arteries, were shown to be connected by anastomoses in target organs so effectively, that supplying the male genital organs with blood by only one of them assures the transfer of testosterone from the testes to the epididymes, vasa deferentia, mesofuniculi as well as prostate and seminal vesicles. It was concluded that lymphatic vessels of the mesofunicules and of the spermatic cords as well as venous and arterial vasculature of the mesofunicules create a recently unknown pathway for the increase of testosterone supply from the testes to the epididymes, vasa deferentia and accessory genital glands of rats.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of neurons in the porcine ciliary ganglion

The present study was aimed at disclosing the chemical coding of nerve structures in the porcine ciliary ganglion (CG) using immunohistochemical methods. The substances under investigation included markers of "classical" neurotransmitters, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) as well as neuropeptides, somatostatin (SOM), galanin (GAL), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Immunoreactivity to ChAT and VAChT was found virtually in all the neuronal somata and in numerous intraganglionic, varicose nerve fibres which often formed basket-like formations around the nerve cell bodies. Many CG neurons contained immunoreactivity for SOM (46%) or GAL (29%). Interestingly, a small number (approx. 1%) of the cholinergic somata stained for TH but not for DbetaH; nevertheless, some extra- and intraganglionic nerve fibres displayed immunoreactivity for DbetaH or TH. The CG perikarya stained neither for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) nor for neuropeptide Y (NPY), but some NPY- or VIP-positive nerve terminals were observed within nerve bundles distributed outside the ganglion. SP- and CGRP-immunoreactivity was found in some intraganglionic nerve fibres only. The present study revealed that the porcine CG consists of cholinergic neurons many of which contain SOM and GAL. Thus, it can be assumed that in the pig, these neuropeptides are involved, complementary to acetylocholine, in the parasympathetic postganglionic nerve pathway to structures of the eye including the ciliary and iris sphincter muscles.     

The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. administration on the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas in piglets

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of administration of probiotic bacteria on morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas. The experiment was performed on 15 piglets at the age from 3 to 35 days, intragastrically administered with Bifidobacterium breve, B. animalis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. In all piglets examined, the development of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas was observed to progress normally. After microflora administration to the piglets, an increase in the number of fibrocytes and fibroblasts was observed in the mucosa lamina propria of stomach and intestines. An increase was also reported in the number and activation of endocrine cells in the stomach and small intestines. The activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases, as well as succinic (SDH) and lactic (LDH) dehydrogenases, was found to be higher after the administration of probiotics. The administration of bacteria, especially of Lactobacillus acidophilus, caused an increase in the number of lymphocytes and lymphoid cells in lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine. Enhanced proliferation of crypt cells was observed in the crypts of intestinal glands; however, there were no statistically significant differences in the PCNA index between the control and probiotic-administered groups. The performed study showed that the administration of probiotic bacteria has no negative impact on the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas and is found beneficial to its functioning and immune processes.