Acute-phase proteins,cortisol and haematological parameters in ewes during the periparturient period

Numerous subclinical diseases in sheep occur in the periparturient period and involve inflammatory processes; therefore, determining markers, such as acute-phase proteins (APPs), can allow an early diagnosis. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess changes in the plasma concentration of APPs and cortisol in clinically healthy ewes in the periparturient period for use in future studies. At the same time, haematological parameters were monitored. We showed that plasma APPs and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant ewes than before insemination. A gradual increase in the SAA concentration was observed from the 14th day before to the day of parturition, while Hp was reduced from 2 weeks before up to 2 weeks after delivery. A significant increase in the Fb concentration was detected from the 14th day before to the 1st week after delivery. The cortisol concentration did not undergo significant changes in the periparturient period. We found an increase in the SAA and Fb concentrations and decrease in Hp in the periparturient period. The direction of the change in APPs of healthy ewes in the current study may be related to their distinct regulatory mechanisms during pregnancy. The APPs are usually altered during infection, inflammation, neoplasia, stress and trauma; therefore, knowing their reference values could help lead to an early diagnosis of subclinical forms of some diseases and pregnancy complications in ewes. The haematological analysis showed that ewes in late pregnancy and postpartum compared to dry period were under metabolic stress related to pregnancy and lactation.     

Detection of runs of homozygosity in conserved and commercial pig breeds in Poland

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are continuous segments of the genome that arose as a result of inbreeding, resulting in the inheritance of identical haplotypes from both parents who shared a common ancestor. In the present study, we performed a detailed characterization and comparison of ROH in four pig breeds, including intensively selected Polish Landrace as well as native unselected animals of Puławska and two Złotnicka breeds (White and Spotted). We used a medium-density PorcineSNP60 BeadChip assay (Illumina) and cgaTOH software to detect ROH covering a minimum of 30 adjacent SNPs and maintaining a size over 1 Mb. By analysing ROH distribution and frequency across the genome, we also identified genomic regions with high ROH frequency (so-called “ROH hotspots”). The obtained results showed that the analysed conserved breeds were characterized by a higher ROH span and higher ROH-based inbreeding coefficients (F_ROH), which likely result from past population bottlenecks, increasing the overall inbreeding level within these populations. The analysis of ROH distribution across the genomes revealed the presence of both shared and breed-specific ROH hotspots. These hotspots, presumably representing genome regions under selection, overlapped with a variety of genes associated with processes connected with immune system functioning, reproduction, glucose homeostasis and metabolism. The genome regions with ROH hotspots overlapping in all analysed populations, located on SSC4 (51.9–55.9 Mb) and 13 (92.6–97.8 Mb), covered thirty-one different genes, including MMP16, SLC7A13, ATP6V0D2, CNGB3, WWiP1, RiMDN1 and CPNE3. These genes are primarily associated with biological regulation and metabolism, processes that could be responsible for the variety of the selected production and functional features.     

Morphological Studies on the Harderian Gland in the Ostrich (Struthio camelus domesticus) on the Embryonic and Post‐natal Period

The present investigation was performed on 50 ostriches from 28th day of incubation until the 7th month of life. The morphological (morphometric, histological, histometric and histochemical) studies were conducted. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin, methyl green‐pyronin Y, periodic acid–Schiff, alcian blue pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin and Hale's dialyzed iron studies. The Harderian gland becomes macroscopically visible on the 28th day of incubation. It is situated in the ventronasal angle of the orbit near inter‐orbital septum, between medial rectus muscle, pyramidal and ventral oblique muscles. The Harderian gland of ostrich is a tubulo‐acinar gland. The acini were composed of tall conical cells which formed a small lumen and were surrounded by myoepithelial cells. These cells had a granular basophilic, vacuolated cytoplasm. Each of the lobes has a system of complex branching ducts – tertiary, secondary and primary. In the III of research group (3rd week of life), the presence of few plasma cells was demonstrated, which were located within acini and tertiary and secondary ducts, whereas the biggest concentration of plasma cells was observed in group IV of research tissue (4th month of life). The dark cells were observed first time in main ducts 72 h after hatching of nestlings (group II). The morphometric and histometric studies showed that the most intensive growth of Harderian gland occurred between the third week and the seventh month of birds' life. The histochemical study indicated the presence of neutral and acidic mucins, glycoproteins and carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides.     

The immunohistochemical evaluation of selected markers in the left atrium of dogs with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy and myxomatous mitral valve disease – a preliminary study

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) are the most common diseases noted in dogs. Although their pathogenesis varies, both include a significant enlargement of the left atrium.The study was carried out on left atrial specimens obtained from 56 dogs, including those from 34 dogs with clinically diagnosed MMVD, 15 dogs with DCM and 7 dogs without heart disease (control group). Dogs in the MMVD and the DCM groups presented with left atrial enlargement and stage D heart failure. The specimens underwent immunohistochemical examination using desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 antibodies.

Results

There were alterations in the expression of the studied proteins in the study groups compared to the control group. The changes included: irregularity of desmin cross-striation and desmosomes, a higher amount of vimentin-positive cells, a change in the periostin expression pattern from cytoplasmic to extracellular, and a lower expression of caspase-3. The alterations were more pronounced in the DCM group than in the MMVD group.

Conclusions

During heart failure, the pattern of desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 expression alters in the left atrium, regardless of the cause. The changes are more pronounced in dogs with DCM than in dogs with MMVD and similar left atrial enlargement, suggesting that volume overload may not be the only cause of myocardial changes in DCM.

     

Effects of iron–glycine chelate on growth,carcass characteristic,liver mineral concentrations and haematological and biochemical blood parameters in broilers

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of additive iron–glycine chelate on the production performance, slaughter yield, mineral deposition in the liver and the metabolic blood panel in broiler chickens. A total of 250 one‐day‐old Ross 308 chicks were allotted into five groups with five replicates of 10 birds each. Diets were supplemented with the organic form iron (Fe–Gly at the rate of 25%, 50% or 100% of the total requirements of the elements) and inorganic Fe (FeSO₄ at the rate of 50% or 100%). In the experiment, iron was added to the premix (containing no Fe) in an amount of 40 or 20 mg per kg of basal diet, in groups I and II, in the form of FeSO₄, and in an amount of 40, 20 or 10 mg per kg of basal diet, in groups III, IV and V, in the form of Fe–Gly. The study covering the period from the first to the 42nd day of breeding revealed that the production performance and slaughter yield were not dependent on the form and amount of added Fe. In the experimental groups with the addition of Fe–Gly of 20 or 10 mg/kg, there were no deaths of chickens during the whole fattening period. As a result, introducing an organic form of iron covering 50% and 25% of the birds' requirement increased the effectiveness of chicken fattening (European Efficiency Index) (p < 0.01). An organic Fe compound (40, 20 or 10 mg/kg) added to mixtures contributed to significant changes in the level of biochemical and haematological indicators in blood. The study demonstrated that an addition of Fe–Gly to mixtures for broilers can be fully effective in terms of production and health performance even if the suggested requirement for this element is 50% or 25% covered.     

The normalisation of CAPN gene expression in M. pectoralis superficialis in broiler lines differing in growth rate and their relationship to breast muscle tenderness

1. The aim of this study was to assess mRNA abundance of calpain 1 (CAPN1) and calpain 3 (CAPN3) in breast muscle of 80 fast-growing (FG) and slow-growing broilers (SG) and relate gene expression in relation to growth and Warner Bratzler (WB) shear force of breast muscle.

2. The expression of CAPN1 and CAPN3 genes was higher in the FG compared to the SG line, but significant results were obtained only for CAPN1. The CAPN1 mRNA level was strongly dependent on line and gender interaction.

3. Lower values of shear force were observed in the FG line, where a higher level of calpain expression was shown.

4. A new panel of housekeeping genes (RPL4 and SDHA) for normalisation of gene expression in muscle tissues could be used in other studies of gene expression in chicken.