In situ programme for the conservation of the autochthonous lipe type of zackel sheep

The aim of this study was to emphasize the importance of conservation of the Lipe sheep, as a local endangered type of Zackel breed, and to perform a comprehensive phenotypic characterization in order to ensure a better use and preservation of this genetic resource. In addition, we compared the results of a detailed morphometric characterization of the modern Lipe sheep carried out in the present study with the morphometric parameters of the native form of this breed described in 1935. The comparative analysis revealed the development dynamics of the local Lipe sheep in the traditional habitat, over a period of nearly one century. Throughout this period, different factors affecting Lipe sheep management, such as biogeografic, agro-economic, sociocultural and others, led to significant population erosion, and to the current status of the Lipe sheep as an endangered genetic resource. Although a slight increase has been registered in some body measurements, the major body indexes of the Lipe sheep, such as body format, body compactness, body massiveness, body proportion, pelvic, and head index, remained without significant fluctuations over the last century (p>0.05). Body length of the modern type still exceeds the height at withers, which was also recorded in the native Lipe sheep nearly 100 years ago. A prominent sexual dimorphism is still evident. Therefore, our comparative analysis showed no significant differences between the native and modern form of Lipe sheep in their body format and growth potential. The slight increases in absolute body measurements of the modern Lipe type we recorded could be linked to better housing conditions and improved quality of feed, without application of strategic selection measures over the last 100 years. The importance of conservation of this ovine resource is less economical, but mostly cultural, historical and heritage oriented, and still essential for the survival of the breed

pi-pi and cation-pi interactions in protein-porphyrin complex crystal structures

In this study we have described the pi-pi and cation-pi interactions between the porphyrin ring and the protein part of porphyrin-containing proteins to better understand their stabilizing role. The number of pi-pi interactions was higher than that of cation-pi interactions in the same set of proteins studied. The pyrrole groups of one porphyrin can be involved in pi-pi interactions with pi systems of another porphyrin in the protein. We have found 5.1% cation-pi interactions between porphyrin Fe2+ metal cations and pi systems of surrounding amino acids as well as the pyrrole rings of other porphyrins. We observed that most of the pi-pi interactions have an energy in the range -0.5 to -2.0 kcal mol(-1), while the cation-pi interactions showed an energy in the range 22 to -4 kcal mol(-1). Further, an appreciable number of metal/cation-pi interaction pairs have an energy in the range -6 to -13 kcal mol(-1). The preferred parallel-stacked orientation is found to be more stable than a T-shaped structure for the full set of pi-pi interaction pairs. In the case of cation-pi interactions, it was found that 44% of the cation-pi interactions involved planar stacking, 37% of the interactions belonged to the oblique category, and the remaining 19% of the interactions were of the orthogonal type. The separation distance between the cation group and the aromatic ring decreases as the interplanar angle decreases. Furthermore, in the present study we have found that 10.4% of pi residues and 3.9% of cationic residues were found to have one or more stabilization centers. Amino acids deployed in the environment of porphyrin rings are deposited in helices and coils. The results from this study might be used for structure-based porphyrin protein prediction and as scaffolds for future porphyrin-containing protein design

Oxidative stress

The unceasing need for oxygen is in contradiction to the fact that it is in fact toxic to mammals. Namely, its monovalent reduction can have as a consequence the production of short-living, chemically very active free radicals and certain non-radical agents (nitrogen-oxide, superoxide-anion-radicals, hydroxyl radicals, peroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, and others). There is no doubt that they have numerous positive roles, but when their production is stepped up to such an extent that the organism cannot eliminate them with its antioxidants (superoxide-dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase, catalase, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, reduced glutathion, and others), a series of disorders is developed that are jointly called „oxidative stress.“ The reactive oxygen species which characterize oxidative stress are capable of attacking all main classes of biological macromolecules, actually proteins, DNA and RNA molecules, and in particular lipids. The free radicals influence lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes, oxidative damage to DNA and RNA molecules, the development of genetic mutations, fragmentation, and the altered function of various protein molecules. All of this results in the following consequences: disrupted permeability of cellular membranes, disrupted cellular signalization and ion homeostasis, reduced or loss of function of damaged proteins, and similar. That is why the free radicals that are released during oxidative stress are considered pathogenic agents of numerous diseases and ageing. The type of damage that will occur, and when it will take place, depends on the nature of the free radicals, their site of action and their source. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173034, br. 175061 i br. 31085

Energy status of dairy cows determined by biochemical analysis of organic components of milk

Valid indicators of the energy status of cows are the body condition, parameters of the metabolic profile, hormonal status, and organic components of milk. The energy status of cows of the Holstein-Friesian breed from four farms was estimated on the grounds of urea, protein and fat concentration in milk. Investigations covered 62 samples of milk (11 from farm A, 16 from farm B, 15 from farm C, and 20 from farm D). All cows were in the first stage of lactation and fed rations recommended for that category of animal. The average fat concentration in all milk samples was 23±13 g/l, the average protein concentration was 29±3 g/l, while the average urea concentration was 4.6±1.3 mmol/l. It could be concluded on the basis of the value for the milk fat concentration alone that a decreased milk fat syndrome was present. In addition, graphic presentations are given for the relation between urea concentration and protein concentration, as well as protein and fat concentrations in the individual milk samples. Such an analysis provided a more detailed picture of the energy status of the examined cows. It was established that cows on farm A had a deficiency of energy and protein, and cows on farms B and C a deficiency of energy with a relative surplus of proteins. It was established that cows from farm D had a deficiency of energy, and there was an equal number of cows with a deficiency and with a relative surplus of proteins. The obtained results provide grounds for making recommendations for correcting the feed rations and improving the health of the cows. It stems from the obtained results that the determination of urea, fat and protein concentrations in milk is a reliable indicator of the energy status of cows, that it is rational and financially acceptable for every producer, regardless of whether it is implemented in small or large cattle farms. The diagnostic procedures used so far have been implemented in a limited form in daily practice because of insufficient reliability (evaluation of body condition) or lack of economic feasibility (metabolic profile and hormonal status of cows)

Procena kolostralne zaštite teladi

The aim of these investigations was to examine the concentration of total proteins and total immunoglobulins in blood serum of calves and on the bases of the obtained results to evaluate the risk of their contracting a disease in the first month of life. Examinations were carried out on 23 calves maintained in farm conditions, whose medical condition was monitored in the first month of life. Blood samples were taken by puncture from the v. jugularis immediately at birth, and at 24 and 48 hours after that, and blood serum was obtained by spontaneous coaggulation. The concentration of total proteins in blood serum was determined using biuretic probe, and the immunoglobulin level using the refractometric method with the zinc-sulphate test (ZST). The average value of total proteins in calves immediately at birth was low and stood at 42±0.3 g/l. The increased concentration of total proteins in calves after the intake of colostrum is a result of the absorption of colostrum immunoglobulins. A high positive correlation was established between the concentration of total proteins and total immunoglobulins at 24 and 48 hours after birth (rxy = 0.92 and rxy = 0.75). Based on the results of monitoring the health condition and the values for total protein concentrations during the examined period (24 and 48 hours after birth) it is possible to make the following risk evaluation regarding diseases in newborn calves: 1) proteinaemia lower than 50 g/l presents a high risk; 2) proteinaemia between 50-54 g/l presents a medium risk: and, 3) proteinaemia between 55-69 g/l presents a low risk for diseases occurring in newborn calves.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se ispita koncentracija ukupnih proteina i ukupnih imunoglobulina u krvnom serumu teladi i na osnovu toga izvrši procena rizika oboljenja u prvom mesecu života. Ispitivanje je izvedeno na 23 teleta u farmskim uslovima držanja, čije je zdravstveno stanje praćeno u prvom mesecu života. Uzorci krvi uzimani su punkcijom v. jugularis neposredno po rođenju, 24. i 48. sata, a krvni serum je dobijen spontanom koagulacijom. Koncentracija ukupnih proteina u krvnom serumu određivana je biuretskom probom, a nivo imunoglobulina refraktometrijskom metodom korišćenjem cink-sulfat testa (ZST). Prosečna vrednost ukupnih proteina kod teladi neposredno po rođenju bila je niska i iznosila je 42 ± 0,3 g/l. Povećanje koncentracije ukupnih proteina kod teladi nakon unošenja kolostruma rezultat je apsorpcije kolostralnih imunoglobulina. Visoka pozitivna korelacija utvrđ ena je između koncentracije ukupnih proteina i ukupnih imunoglobulina u periodu 24. i 48. sata po rođenju (rxy=0,92 i rxy = 0,75). Na osnovu rezultata praćenja zdravstvenog stanja i vrednosti koncentracije ukupnih proteina u ispitivanom periodu (24-og i 48-og sata) moguć e je dati sledeću procenu rizika oboljenja novorođene teladi: 1) proteinemija manja od 50 g/l odgovara visokom riziku; 2) proteinemija između 50 i 54 g/l odgovara srednjem riziku i 3) proteinemija između 55 i 69 g/l odgovara malom riziku za pojavu oboljenja novorođene teladi

Establishing presence of antibodies against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV 1) in blood serum of cattle using indirect immunoenzyme probe

A total of 92 samples of bovine blood serum were examined for the presence of antibodies against the bovine respiratory syncytial virus using indirect immunoenzyme probe - iELISA. Specific antibodies against the bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were established in 46, or 50% blood serum samples. Investigations of the 92 blood serum samples of cattle for the presence of antibodies against the parainfluenza virus 3 (PI 3), revealed their presence in 77, or 83.69% of the samples, and the presence of antibodies against the bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV 1) was established in 19, or 20.65% of the samples

Koncept dobrobiti farmskih životinja - od začetaka do integracije u savremene sisteme proizvodnje

The farm animal welfare science has undergone a thorny path of development, often disputed because of its lack of measurability and the purpose of existence. At the very beginning, primarily based on moral and ethical attitudes, over time it pointed to the importance of meeting the needs of animals and the consequences of their neglect and exhaustion in the conditions of intensive livestock production. An important segment of its development was the definition and development of methodologies for the assessment of welfare indicators, which made it measurable and accepted as a scientific discipline with the knowledge applicable and useful in modern production systems. This paper is a concise review of the evolution of the animal welfare science, but also an indication of its future in the context of the development of "symbiotic" connections with the concepts of sustainable agriculture and food safety as integral parts of the modern ecological movement arose from a unified concern for the welfare of people and animals, a care for planetary welfare in general.Nauka o dobrobiti farmskih životinja prošla je trnovit put razvoja, često osporavana zbog svoje nemerljivosti i svrsishodnosti postojanja. U samom začetku prvenstveno zasnovana na moralnim i etičkim stavovima, tokom vremena ukazala je na značaj zadovoljenja potreba životinja i posledice njihovog zanemarivanja i iscrpljivanja u uslovima intenzivne stočarske proizvodnje. Važan segment njenog razvoja bili su definisanje i razvoj metodologija za ocenu indikatora dobrobiti, čime je ona postala merljiva i prihvaćena kao naučna disciplina sa saznanjima primenljivim i korisnim u savremenim sistemima proizvodnje. Ovaj rad predstavlja sažet prikaz evolucije nauke o dobrobiti, ali i nagoveštaj njene budućnosti u smislu razvoja "simbiotičkih" veza sa konceptima održive poljoprivrede i bezbednosti hrane kao integralnih delova savremenog ekološkog pokreta proisteklog iz objedinjene brige o dobrobiti ljudi i životinja, brige o dobrobiti planete generalno

Faktori koji utiču na terapijsku efikasnost i bezbednost lekova

According to the Law on medicines and medicinal devices, veterinary drugs must be of high quality, efficacy and safety to be suitable for use on animals. However, there are numerous factors which can alter the intensity of drugs and their established therapeutic efficacy and safety. These factors may depend on the patients themselves i.e. animals (species, age, sex, physiological state, impaired functions of organs involved in the elimination of drugs, diseases of other organ systems, nutrition, genetic disorders, individual varia­tions, tolerance etc.), veterinary surgeons (use of the drug which is not in accordance with the instructions - 'off-label use', improper selection of a drug or drug combination intended for a certain animal species or pathological condition, inadequate drug administration route, inadequate drug dosage and duration of therapy) and the drug itself (inappropriate formulation, bioavailability, instability of formulation, diminishing drug action due to external factors). Not following the instructions on using a drug and incorrect application may affect the rate and extent of the drug absorption. The route of the administration of a pharmaceutical product is defined in clinical trials, and depends on the physical and chemical properties of the active ingredient, characteristics of the pharmaceutical formulation and the anatomical and physiological characteristics of application sites which enable absorption. An adequate drug administration ensures a predictable level and rate of absorption from the application site, drug concentration at the sites of its action and pharmacological response or therapeutic efficacy. Concomitant use of multiple drugs in the same patient should be avoided because of possible interactions (antagonism or sinergism) which may decrease the activity of a drug and its effectiveness or increase them including appearance of drug toxicity. In addition, mixing drugs in an infusion system or a syringe should be avoided because the absence of visible interaction does not mean that the drugs applied are compatible.Prema Zakonu o lekovima i medicinskim sredstvima veterinarski lekovi moraju da budu kvalitetni, dovoljno efikasni i bezbedni za primenu na životinjama. Međutim, brojni su faktori koji mogu da menjaju jačinu dejstva leka, ustanovljenu terapijsku efikasnost i bezbednost. Ovi faktori mogu da potiču od samog pacijenta - životinje (vrsta, uzrast, pol, fiziološko stanje, poremećena funkcija organa za eliminaciju lekova, oboljenja drugih organskih sistema, ishrana, genetski poremećaji, individualne varijacije, tolerancija itd.), veterinara (upotreba leka koja nije u skladu sa uputstvom - 'off label use', nepravilan izbor leka ili kombinacije lekova za vrstu životinje ili patološko stanje, neadekvatan način aplikacije leka, neodgovarajuća doza leka i dužina primene, inkompatibilnost i interakcija) i samog leka (neodgovarajuća formulacija, niska biološka raspoloživost, nestabilnost formulacija, slabljenje dejstva leka pod uticajem spoljašnjih faktora). Nepridržavanje preporučenog uputstva o načinu aplikacije leka, kao i nepravilna aplikacija može da utiče na brzinu i stepen apsorpcije leka. Sam način aplikacije gotovog leka definisan je tokom njegovog kliničkog ispitivanja, i zavisi od fizičko-hemijskih osobina lekovite supstance, karakteristika farmaceutske formulacije i anatomskih i fizioloških osobina mesta aplikacije koja obezbeđuju apsorpciju. Primena leka na preporučen način omogućava predvidljiv stepen i brzinu apsorpcije sa mesta primene, koncentraciju leka na mestu delovanja i farmakološki odgovor, odnosno terapijsku efikasnost. Treba da se izbegava istovremena primena više lekova kod istog pacijenta zbog moguće interakcije (antagonizam ili sinergizam) koja smanjuje aktivnost leka i njegovu efikasnost ili mu, pak, pojačava efekat uključujući i pojavu toksičnosti. Takođe, treba da se izbegava mešanje lekova u infuzionom sistemu ili brizgalici, jer odsustvo vidljivih reakcija ne znači da je mešavina lekova kompatibilna

Infekcija ovaca sa Strongyloides papillosus - uticaj intenziteta parazitske infekcije i terapije albendazolom na vrednosti osnovnih hematoloških parametara

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the basic haematological parameters in conditions of natural infection of sheep with Strongyloides papillosus, as well as after the administration of antihelminthic albendazole (ABZ). Based on the intensity of infection with S. papillosus the sheep were divided into three groups: mild, moderate and high, and after that the sheep received a single dose of ABZ of 5mg/kg per body weight, per orally. Sampling of faeces and blood for parasitological and haematological assaying respectively, was performed on the 0 and the 21st day after the treatment with ABZ. The presence of parasitic infection with S. papillosus leads to a decrease of erythrocyte count, while the lowest values were established in the group with the highest intensity of parasitic infection (p ˂ 0.001). After treatment with ABZ the decrease of erythrocyte count was more prominent, which was, based on comparison with control groups C1 and C2, unequivocally established to be the consequence of treatment with ABZ. Detected values of haematocrit and erythrocyte indices indicated the presence of parasitic infection: the lowest values were established in the group with the highest intensity of parasitic infection. After treatment with ABZ haematocrit levels in control group C2 were statistically significantly lower compared to the control group C1 (p ˂ 0.001). In the presence of parasitic infection, the neutrophil and eosinophil counts increased almost linearly up to the value of 44.24±2.50% and 13.29±0.61% respectively, in the group of sheep with the highest intensity of parasitic infection (p ˂ 0.001; compared to control group C1). After treatment with ABZ the decrease of the number of these white blood cells is statistically significant (p ˂ 0.001). Bearing in mind our previous research and the connection of disbalanced redox equilibrium after the treatment with ABZ with changes, it is necessary to include antioxidative substances in the anti-parasitic treatment protocols.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se utvrde i procene osnovni hematološki parametri u uslovima prirodne infekcije ovaca sa Strongyloides papillosus, kao i nakon primene antihelmintika albendazola (ABZ). Na osnovu intenziteta infekcije sa S. papillosus ovce su podeljene u tri grupe: niski, srednji i visoki intenzitet infekcije, a zatim su ovce jednokratno dobile peroralno ABZ, u terapijskoj dozi od 5 mg/kg telesne mase. Uzorkovanje fecesa za parazitološka i za hematološka ispitivanja obavljeno je nultog i 21. dana od primene ABZ. Utvrđeno je da prisustvo parazitske infekcije sa S. papillosus dovodi do pada broja eritrocita, pri čemu su najniže vrednosti utvrđene u grupi sa najvećim intenzitetom parazitske infekcije (p ˂ 0,001). Nakon terapije sa ABZ pad broja eritrocita je izraženiji, što je nesumnjivo nastalo kao posledica terapije ABZ (na osnovu poređenja C1 i C2). Utvrđene vrednosti hematokrita i eritrocitnih indeksa su ukazivali na postojanje parazitske infekcije; najniže vrednosti su utvrđene kod grupe sa najvećim intenzitetom parazitske infekcije. Nakon terapije sa ABZ vrednosti hematokrita kod C2 bile su statistički značajno niže u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu C1 (p ˂ 0,001). U prisustvu parazitske infekcije broj neutrofila i eozinofila povećava se gotovo linearno, do vrednosti od 44,24±2,50% kod neutrofila, odnosno od 13,29±0,61% kod eozinofila u grupi ovaca sa najvećim intenzitetom parazitske infekcije (p ˂ 0,001). Nakon terapije sa ABZ broj ovih ćelija bele krvne loze smanjuje se statistički značajno (p ˂ 0,001). Imajući u vidu naša prethodna istraživanja i povezanost narušene redoks ravnoteže posle terapije sa ABZ sa promenama utvrđenim u ovom istraživanju, neophodno je u antiparazitske terapijske protokole uključiti antioksidativne supstance

Korisni i štetni efekti azot-monoksida

In living systems synthesis of nitric oxide occurs during metabolism from Larginin, nitrite and ascorbate. Being very significant carrier of information within numerous both physiological and pathological processes in mammals' organisms, nitric oxid could possibly be useful as well as harmful. Nitric oxide synthesis is adjuvant in a healthy organism because it represents the basic molecule for understanding numerous processes in neurology, psychology, immunology and varios related fields. In other words, nitric oxide participate in number of physiological processes, such as: transmission of nerve signals (neurotransmitter role), regulation of smooth muscle tissue relaxation (eg. vasodilatation), peristaltic movements, immunomodulation, mastocyte activation, development of inflammatory response, apoptosis regulation, angiogenesis and glucose metabolism, normal heart functioning and antioxidation role. Besides being useful, nitric oxide can be harmful as well, because it has one unpaired electron, so consequently it is susceptible to oxidation becoming a stable free radical. Being such, it reacts quickly with superoxide-anion radical, givind at first an extremely reactive peroxinitrite anion, and subsequently peroxidnitrite acid. This acid is very dangerous causing thiol groups oxidation, tyrosine and phenylalanine nitrosylation, lipid oxidation, DNK chain splitting, nitrification and nucleic bases deamination. These damages of macromolecules can cause a series of undesirable changes which subsequently disturb functions of molecules, and thus of cells, tissues and even organs.U živim sistemima sinteza azot-monoksida nastaje tokom metabolizma, od L-arginina, nitrita i askorbata. S obzirom da je važan prenosilac informacija u okviru mnogih fizioloških ali i patoloških procesa u organizmu sisara, azot-monoksid može biti i koristan i štetan. Sinteza azot-monoksida u zdravom organizmu je poželjna jer predstavlja osnovni molekul za razumevanje brojnih procesa u neurologiji, psihologiji, imunologiji i najrazličitijim drugim oblastima. Naime, azotmonoksid učestvuje u nizu fizioloških procesa, među kojima su: prenos nervnih signala (neurotransmiterska uloga), regulacija relaksacije glatkomišićnih tkiva (npr. vazodilatacija), odvijanje peristaltičkih pokreta, imunomodulacija, aktivacija mastocita, razvoj zapaljenske reakcije, regulacija apoptoze, angiogeneze i metabolizma glukoze, normalno funkcionisanje srca i antioksidantna uloga. Osim što je koristan, azot-monoksid može da bude i štetan jer poseduje jedan nespareni elektron, tako da podleže oksidaciji i postaje stabilan slobodni radikal. Kao takav, brzo reaguje sa superoksidanjon radikalom, dajući prvo izuzetno reaktivan peroksinitrit anjon, a potom i peroksinitritnu kiselinu. Ona je vrlo opasna jer dovodi do: oksidacije tiolnih grupa, nitrozilovanja tirozina i fenil-alanina, oksidacije lipida, cepanja lanaca DNK, nitrovanja i dezaminacije nukleinskih baza. Ova oštećenja makromolekula mogu izazvati niz nepoželjnih promena kojima se remeti funkcija molekula a time i ćelije, tkiva pa i organa