Prevalencija i kontrola želučano-crijevnih oblića u farmski uzgajanih jelena lopatara (Dama dama L.).

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal nematodes in farmed fallow deer, and to assess the effectiveness of ivermectin used to control them. Faeces samples were collected from fallow deer (n = 468), raised on an organic farm. The study showed an average prevalence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal nematodes in an annual cycle at 57.33 % and 529 EPG, respectively. Nematodes of the Trichostrongylus (13.33 %) and Chabertia (10 %) species were recorded most frequently, while Strongyloides sp. (3.33 %) had the lowest prevalence. Deworming was performed twice, in December and in March, during which a 1 % ivermectin injection was applied. The efficacy of the first deworming with ivermectin was 94.44 % and of the second deworming 95 %. The deworming did not result in removal of gastrointestinal nematodes in all hosts, but significantly reduced the intensity of infection in these animals. Ivermectin, administered by subcutaneous injection, was highly effective against gastrointestinal nematodes in fallow deer. However, the deer were kept in a limited area, which caused the accumulation of eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes in the pasture sward, creating perfect conditions for reinvasion (ingestion of invasive forms with food).Cilj istraživanja bio je odrediti prevalenciju i jačinu invazije želučano-crijevnim oblićima u jelena lopatara i procijeniti učinkovitost liječenja ivermektinom. Pretraženo je 468 uzoraka izmeta ekološki uzgojenih jelena lopatara. Prevalencija je iznosila 57,33 % s intenzitetom od 529 jaja po gramu izmeta. Najčešće su bila dokazana jajašca oblića roda Trichostrongylus (13,33 %) i Chabertia (10 %), a najrjeđe jajašca oblića roda Strongyloides (3,33 %). Jeleni su bili dvokratno dehelmintizirani i to u prosincu i ožujku ubrizgavanjem pripravka koji je sadržavao 1 % ivermektina. Učinkovitost prve dehelmintizacije iznosila je 94,44 %, a druge 95 %. Dehelmintizacija ivermektinom nije uklonila parazite iz svih životinja, ali je značajno smanjila intenzitet invazije. Supkutana primjena ivermektina bila je vrlo učinkovita. Ipak valja napomenuti da su jeleni bili držani na ograničenom prostoru što je dovelo da nakupljanja jajašaca na pašnjaku i stvorilo uvjete za reinvaziju

Plasma membrane changes during the liquid storage of boar spermatozoa: A comparison of methods

Studies were performed on boar semen routinely used at the local artificial insemination (AI) centre. The semen was stored in a Safe Cell Plus commercial extender at 17 °C for nine days. The aim of our research was focused on changes in sperm plasma membrane integrity. The integrity of the sperm plasma membrane and acrosome as well as sperm motility decreased after dilution and during storage of the semen. The highest percentage of live sperm was identified by the eosin-nigrosin method, a lower percentage by the SYBR-14/PI test, and the lowest percentage of live cells was discovered by the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test (P < 0.01). There were significant differences between the results of staining methods and sperm motility (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the HOS test results and sperm motility. The plasma membrane integrity parameters positively correlated (P < 0.001) with each other and with sperm motility but negatively with aspartate aminotransferase activity. Our findings confirmed that the boar sperm aging changes, which increased during liquid semen preservation, were connected with the loss of function and integrity of the sperm plasma membrane. The employed complementary tests are comprehensive indicators of sperm membrane integrity during long-term semen preservation, and they can help establish the actual number of ‘healthy’ cells. The assays may be used in AI laboratories and should be incorporated into the routine of semen analysis

Infection of Raccoon Dogs (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>) from Northern Poland with Gastrointestinal Parasites as a Potential Threat to Human Health

The aim of the study was to determinate the prevalence and intensity of infection of raccoon dogs with internal parasites, with a particular emphasis on particular species of helminths known to be dangerous to humans. A total of 96 raccoon dogs were obtained from hunters from September 2018 to October 2021. The digestive tract was taken for examination. The parasitological examination was performed using the dissection methods. The extensity of infection with all internal parasites was 60.3%. The following parasites were found in the tested animals: Echinococcus multilocularis (in 10.42% of animals), Toxocara canis (18.75%), Alaria alata (25.0%), Taenia spp. (19.79%), Uncinaria stenocephala (27.08%), Mesocestoides spp. (54.17%) and Dipylidium caninum (6.25%). The highest mean intensity of infection was demonstrated by A. alata and E. multilocularis then by Mesocestoides spp. This study showed that the raccoon dog from northern Poland is a reservoir host of zoonotic pathogens, such as E. multilocularis, Toxocara canis and Alaria alata. Although the role of the racoon dog as a final host of the life cycle of E. multilocularis is considered of less importance than that of the red fox, this species may increase the risk of echinococcosis in humans, mainly due to its growing population in northern Poland