Salivary cortisol concentrations changes in horses during daily routine

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-20 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.1-4AbstractThe aim of the study was to observe the salivary concentrations of cortisol in horses during daily routine over the course of four weeks lasting experiment in three different stages of day to monitor the changing values of cortisol in horse saliva during the day. Saliva was obtained from 12 Slovak warmblood horses – 1 stallion, 6 mares and 5 geldings. In the experiment we focused purely on changes of salivary cortisol concentrations over the course of the daily routine.The results shown us multiple significant changes between individual sample collections and thus, we can state that according to our results the highest concentration of cortisol in horse saliva is in the morning and it decreases throughout the day with lowest measured concentrations being in the final sample collection of the day (at 22:00). These changes had no visible effect on horses´ organism throughout entirety of the experiment and were caused due to horses daily rhythm.Keywords: horse, cortisol, saliva, rest, daily routineReferencesBohák, Zs, Szabó, F, Beckers, J-F, Melo de Sousa, N, Kutasi, O., Nagy, K, Szenci, O. 2013. Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in the horse. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 45:38-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001Contreras-Aguilar, MD, Lamy, E, Escribano, D, Cerón, JJ, Tecles, F, Quiles, AJ, Hevia, ML. 2020. Changes in salivary analytes of horses due to circadian rhythm and season: A Pilot Study. Animals. 10(9):1486. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091486Halo, M, Hollý, A, Mlyneková, E, Polyaková, L, Horný, M, Kovalčík, E. 2009. Influence feeding and training on the metabolic profil sport horses. J Cent. Eur. Agric. 10(4):411-416.Halo, M, Strapák, P, Mlyneková, E, Kovalčík, E, Horný, M. 2008. Influence stres on the training process of the horses. J. Cent. Eur. Agric. 9(1):217-224.Ille, N, von Lewinski, M, Erber, M, Wulf, M, Aurich, J, Mostl, E, Aurich, C. 2013. Effects of the level of experience of horses and their riders on cortisol release, heart rate and heart rate variability during a jumping course. Anim. Welf. 22:457-465. 10.7120/09627286.22.4.457Irvine, CHG, Alexander, SL. 1994. Factors affecting the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol concentrations in the horse. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 11(2):227-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/0739-7240(94)90030-2Kang, O-D, Lee W-S. 2016. Changes in salivary cortisol concentration in horses during different types of exercise. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. 29(5):747-752. 10.5713/ajas.16.0009Kang, O-D, Yun Y-M. 2016. Influence of Horse and Rider on Stress during Horse-riding Lesson Program. Asian Australas J Anim Sci. 29(6):895-900. 10.5713/ajas.15.1068Leal, BB, Alves, GES, Douglas, RH, Bringel, B, Young, RJ, Haddad, JPA, Viana, WS, Faleiros, RR. 2011. Cortisol circadian rhythm ratio: A simple method to detect stressed horses at higher risk of colic? Equine Vet. J. 31:188-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.02.005Massányi, P, Stawarz, R, Halo, M, Formicki, G, Lukac, N, Cupka, P, Schwarcz, P, Kovacik, A, Tusimova, E, Kovacik, J. 2014. Blood concentration of copper, cadmium, zinc and lead in the horses and its relation to hematological and biochemical parameters. J. Environ. Sci. Health A. 49:973-979. 10.1080/10934529.2014.894322 Peeters, M, Sulon J, Beckers J-F, Ledoux D, Vandenheede M. 2011. Comparison between blood serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in horses using an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge. Equine Vet J. 43(4):487-493. 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00294.x Schmidt, A, Mostl, E, Wehnert, Ch, Aurich, J, Muller, J, Aurich, Ch. 2010. Corisol release and heart rate variability in horses during road transport. Hormones Behaviour. 57: 209-215. 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.11.003Strzelec, K, Kankofer, M, Piertzak, S. 2011. Cortisol concentration in the saliva of horses subjected to different kinds of exercise. Act Vet. Brno. 80:101-105. 10.2754/avb201180010101Stull, CL, Morrow, J, Aldridge, BA, Stott, JL, McGlone, JJ. 2008. Immunophysiological responses of horses to 12-hour rest during 24 hours of road transport. Vet. Rec. 162:609-614. 10.1136/vr.162.19.609Van der Kolk, JH, Nachreiner, RF, Schott HC, Refsal KR, Zanella AJ. 2001. Salivary and plasma concentration of cortisol in normal horses and horses with Cushing´s disease. Equine Vet J. 33(2):211-213. 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb00604.

Nutritional indicators in the technological process of sausage processing

Received: 2020-09-29 Accepted: 2021-02-08 Available online: 2021-02-28https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-apa.15-20According to biological and nutritional value, meat and meat products are among the most important components of humannutrition. The risk of meat contamination is a great concern from the point of view of food safety, and especially human health. Theaim of this study was the determination of nutritional values in meat samples of fresh and smoked sausage. From a technologicalpoint of view, the water content was the highest in meat samples and continually decreased in the samples that underwentprocessing. The water content of the meat samples was 68.2%. In the samples of unsmoked and smoked sausages, the measuredvalues were slightly lower. In the samples of unsmoked sausages, the water content was 63.1%. As the water content decreased,the fat content of the sausages increased. The protein content has not changed significantly in the production process. In the meatthe value of proteins was 19.07 g 100 g-1 and in the samples of smoked sausages the result was 18.78 g 100 g-1. The content ofessential fatty acids was the highest in meat samples. This value decreased in unsmoked as well as smoked sausages. Cholesterollevels were rising over the course of the experiment. Results of this study clearly show difference in technological parametersrelated to technological process.Keywords: meat, sausage, technological process, nutritional indicatorsReferencesAngelovičová, M. et al. (2016). Comparison of fatty acid profile in the chicken meat after feeding with narasin, nicarbazin andsalinomycin sodium and phyto-additive substances. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 51(6), 374–382. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2016.1142320ČUBOŇ, J. et al. (2012). Hodnotenie surovín a potravín živočíšneho pôvodu. Nitra : Slovak University of Agriculture, 381 p.ČUBOŇ, J. et al. (2019) Protein degradation and fat oxidation changes in salted meat processing. Journal of Microbiology,Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 9(6), 376–379. https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2019.9.special.376-379COLE, L. J. et al. (2020). A critical analysis of the potential for EU Common Agricultural Policy measures to support wild pollinatorson farmland. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(4), 681–694. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13572 DEBRECENI, O. et al. (2016). Comparison the physicochemical quality indicators of Musculus longissimus Dorsi from MangalitsaBreed and their crossbreeds. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 17(4), 1253–1263. https://doi.org/10.5513/jcea01/17.4.1840DELGADO, C. L. (2003). Rising consumption of meat and milk in developing countries has created a new food revolution. TheJournal of Nutrition, 133(11), 3907S–3910S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/133.11.3907SGRIFFITHS, P.; DE HASSETH, J. A. (2007). Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell.GÓMEZ, I. et al. (2020). The effects of processing and preservation technologies on meat quality: Sensory and nutritionalaspects. Foods, 9, 1416. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9101416GRUSAK, M. A. et al. (1999). Improving the nutrient composition of plants to enhance human nutrition and health. AnnualReview of Plant Biology, 50(1), 133–161. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.arplant.50.1.133GUPTA, V. et al. (2017). Lifestyle, Stress, and Disorders. Basic and Applied Aspects of Biotechnology. Springer : Singapore, pp. 475–486. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0875-7_22Haščík, P. et al. (2019a). Spracovanie hydiny a minoritných živočíšnych produktov. Nitra : Slovak University of Agriculture, 176 p.HAŠČÍK, P. et al. (2019b). The profile of fatty acids in chicken’s meat after humic acid and phytobiotics application. Journalof Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 9(6), 439–444. https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2019.9.special.439-444HIRD, S. J. et al. (2014). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of chemical contaminants in food.TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 59, 59–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2014.04.005IMRICH, I. et al. (2020). Comparison of the physico-chemical meat quality of the breeds Mangalitsa and Large white with regardto the slaughter weight. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences, 14, 135–141. https://doi.org/10.5219/1334JIMÉNEZ-COLMENERO, F. et al. (2001). Healthier meat and meat products: Their role as functional foods. Meat Science, 59, 5–13.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(01)00053-5KROČKO, M. et al. (2016). Effect of spices commercial mixture with GDL on the quality of fermented dry-cured sausages. SlovakJournal of Food Sciences, 10(1), 295–299. https://doi.org/10.5219/603LÍPOVÁ, P. et al. (2019). Efect of intramuscular fat content on physical-chemical parameters of pork from Mangalitsa and theircrossbreed. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences, 13(1), 422–428. https://doi.org/10.5219/1095ORZECHOWSKA, B. et al. (2008). Relationships between muscle fibre characteristics and physico-chemical properties oflongissimus lumborum muscle and growth rate in pig fatteners of three breeds. Animal Science Papers and Reports, 26(4), 277–285.PREZIOSI, P. et al. (1998). Effects of supplementation with a combination of antioxidant vitamins and trace elements, atnutritional doses, on biochemical indicators and markers of the antioxidant system in adult subjects. Journal of the AmericanCollege of Nutrition, 17(3), 244–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1998.10718754SHARMA, M. et al. (2009). Occupational lifestyle diseases: An emerging issue. Indian Journal of Occupational and EnvironmentalMedicine, 13(3), 109. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.58912STEINHAUSEROVÁ, I. et al. (2015) Hygiene and sanitation in meat production. Meat, 4, 7–13.STOLL-KLEEMANN, S. et al. (2017). Reducing meat consumption in developed and transition countries to counter climatechange and biodiversity loss: a review of influence factors. Regional Environmental Change, 17(5), 1261–1277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-016-1057-5ZAJÁC, P. et al. (2015). Analysis of texturometric properties of selected traditional and commercial sausage. PotravinarstvoSlovak Journal of Food Sciences, 9(1), 458–467. https://doi.org/10.5219/47

High taurine concentrations negatively effect stallion spermatozoa parameters in vitro

Article Details: Received: 2020-09-29 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.15-19Over the past decades natural substances are widely used in the maintaining of spermatozoa viability. The target of present study was to evaluate the effect of various taurine concentrations on stallion spermatozoa during 37°C cultivation. Fresh semen was collected from 10 breeding stallions. The experimental groups were supplemented with six different concentration of taurine (in mg/ml): A – 2.5, B – 5, C – 7.5, D – 10, E – 15, F – 20 and compared to control (CON – 0). Spermatozoa motility was assessed using the Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA) system in 6 time periods (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours). The MTT test was used for detection of viability. For measuring antioxidant activity FRAP and TOS methods were used. Significantly negative effect was observed in the samples with the highest concentration of taurine (20 mg/ml). Spermatozoa viability was not significantly affected in analysed concentrations of taurine. Significant higher antioxidant activity was detected in the sample with the highest taurine concentration. Data clearly showed negative effects of high taurine concentrations on stallion spermatozoa.Keywords: taurine, CASA, antioxidant activity, spermatozoa, stallion References  Benzie, I. F. and Strain, J. J. (1996). The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: The FRAP assay. Analytical Biochemistry, 239(1), 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1996.0292Bucak, M. N. et al. (2007). The influence of trehalose, taurine, cysteamine and hyaluronan on ram semen: Microscopic and oxidative stress parameters after freeze–thawing process. Theriogenology, 67(5), 1060-1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.12.004Erel, O. (2005). A new automated colorimetric method for measuring total oxidant status. Clinical Biochemistry, 38(12), 1103-1111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2005.08.008Halo, M. and Tirpák, F. (2018) Stallion fertility - the basis of successful reproduction. Svet koní. 18.Halo Jr., M. et al. (2019) Time and dose-dependent effects of Viscum album quercus on rabbit spermatozoa motility and viability in vitro. Physiological Research, 68(6), 955-972. https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.934223 Ijaz, A. and Ducharme, R. (1995). Effect of various extenders and taurine on survival of stallion sperm cooled to 5 C. Theriogenology, 44(7), 1039-1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691x(95)00290-o Jambor, T. et al. (2017) In vitro effect of 4-nonylphenol on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated hormone secretion, cell viability and reactive oxygen species generation in mice Leydig cells. Environmental Pollution, 222, 219–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.053 O'flaherty, L. et al. (1997) Intestinal taurine transport: a review. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 27(11), 873-880. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2362.1997.2000747.xReddy, N. S. S. et al. (2010). Effects of adding taurine and trehalose to a tris-based egg yolk extender on buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) sperm quality following cryopreservation. Animal Reproduction Science, 119(3-4), 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.01.012 Slanina, T. et al. (2018) Effect of taurine on turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) spermatozoa viability and motility. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 63(4),127-135. https://doi.org/10.17221/79/2017-CJASStephens, T. D. et al. (2013) Effects of pentoxifylline, caffeine, and taurine on post-thaw motility and longevity of equine frozen semen. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 33(8), 615-621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2012.10.004Tirpák, F. et al. (2017) Low taurine concentrations possitively affect rabbit spermatozoa properties in later time intervals. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 7, 128-131. https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2017.7.2.128-13

Influence of indirect factors and its effect analysis on performance level of Slovak warmblood horse breed

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-21 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.105-108During their career, horses are affected by a large number of direct and indirect factors. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of indirect factors, such as year of start, sex, breed, number of starts, age and proportion of genes of Slovak Warmblood horse breed. For determination of indirect factors on performance level, results from test efficiency and final placement in showjumping category 4, 5 and 6 years old young horses were used. 540 horses of Slovak Warmblood breed were analysed between 2015 - 2019 and 1155 data samples were collected. Based on the results of the linear model, parameters – the effect of gender and the influence of the gene proportion of Slovak Warmblood horse had statistically significant influence (p<0.05). High significant effect (p<0.001) on performance of Slovak Warmblood horse was observed in parameters – year of start, age during start and breed.Keywords: horse, indirect factors, performance References CASTEJON-RIBER, C. et al. (2017). Objectives, Principles and Methods of Strength Training for Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 56, 93-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.04.011De MARÉ, L. et al. (2017). Standardized exercise tests in horses: current situation and future perspectives. Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 86(2): 63-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v86i2.16290GOŠČÍK, Z. (1993). Fyziologický základ tréningu koňa atléta. Nitra: Mgr. Marta Ölvecká. ISBN 80-900413-6-1, 70p.GOŠČÍK, Z. (2000). Racionálny tréning športových koní a jeho vplyv na ich dlhodobé využitie. [online]: http://www.horses.sk/'konfer/kratr. htm HENNESSY, K. et al. (2008). Vendor and purchaser expectations: differential market segment requirements for sport horses. In proceeding from 4th International Conference of International Society for Equitation Science. Dublin (p. 53).KEARSLEY, C. G. S. et al. (2008). Use of competition data for genetic evaluations of eventing horses in Britain: analysis of the dressage, showjumping and cross country phases of eventing competition. Livestock Science, 118(1), 72-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2008.01.009KOENEN, E. (2002). Genetic evaluations for competition traits of warmblood sport horses. In WBFSH seminar, Budapest.KOENEN, E. P. C., ALDRIDGE, L. I. & PHILIPSSON, J. (2004). An overview of breeding objectives for warmblood sport horses. Livestock Production Science, 88(1), 77-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livprodsci.2003.10.011KRATTENMACHER, N. et al. (2014). The role of maternal lineages in horse breeding: Effects on conformation and performance traits. In proceeding from 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, Canada (p. 17-22).LUEHRS-BEHNKE, H. et al. (2002). Genetic associations among traits of the new integrated breeding evaluation method used for selection of German warmblood horses. Veterinarija ir zootechnika, 18(40), 90-93.RICARD, A.; BRUNS, E.; CUNNINGHAM, E. P. (2000). Genetics of performance traits. The genetics of the horse, (p. 411-538). http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/9780851994291.0000RICARD, A. & BLOUIN, C. (2011). Genetic analysis of the longevity of French sport horses in jumping competition. Journal of Animal Science, 89(10), 2988-2994. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-3931STEWART, I. D., WOOLLIAMS, J. A. & BROTHERSTONE, S. (2010). Genetic evaluation of horses for performance in dressage competitions in Great Britain. Livestock Science, 128(1), 36-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2009.10.011STEWART, M. et al. (2011). Assessment of positive emotions in horses: Implications for welfare and performance. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 6(5), 296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.05.014SCHUBERTOVÁ, Z., PAVLÍK, I. & CANDRÁK, J. (2014). The influence of the genomic data on the showjumping horses performance evaluation. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 15(2), 33-40.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/15.2.1447SCHRÖDER, W. et al. (2012). A genome‐wide association study for quantitative trait loci of show‐jumping in Hanoverian warmblood horses. Animal genetics, 43(4), 392-400. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02265.xVan VELDHUIZEN, A. E. (1997). Breeding value estimation for riding horses in the Netherlands. In 48th Ann. Meet. EAAP, Vienna, Austri

Analysis of movement mechanics in the training process of sport horses

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-15 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.145-149The aim of the study was to determine the effect of training process on changes of quantitative and qualitative indicators of the movement mechanics of sport horses. A load controller was used to evaluate the motion mechanics. The training load was divided into three stages with different lengths, speeds and degrees of load. Tested animals were 14 horses of Slovak Warmblood breed. Our results have shown that gradual increase of load in the tested horses resulted in better spaciousness of movement, which was reflected in the elongation of the horse´s stride, regular movement and significant energy of the pelvic limbs (p<0.05). From our findings we can state that the effect of gender did not have significant effect on the number and length of steps in each degree of load. We have noticed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the „number of steps“ parameter between the age categories of horses in the age up to 7 years (3.460±619) and the category aged up to 14 years (3.383±572). Gradual increase of the training load led to the economization of the movement and the long-term training process sled to the adaptation of the organism to repeated load. Keywords: horse, movement mechanics, training, treadmill, loadReferencesArfuso, F. et al. (2016). Dynamic modulation of platelet aggregation, albumin and nonesterified fatty acids during physical exercise in Thoroughbred horses. Research in Veterinary Science, 104, 86-91.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.11.013Barrey, E. (2016). Biomechanics of locomotion in the athletic horses. Veterian Key [online], 10. Retrieved June 20, 2019 from https://veteriankey.com/biomechanics-of-locomotion-in-the-athletic-horse/Barrey, E. et al. (1993). Stride characteristics of overground versus treadmill locomotion in the saddle horse. Acta Anatomica,146(2-3), 90-94. https://doi.org/10.1159/000147427Becero, M. et al. (2020). Capacitive resistive electric transfer modifies gait pattern in horses exercised of treadmill. BMC Veterinary Research, 16, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-2233-x  Becker, A. C., Stock, K. F. & Distl, O. (2011). Genetic correlations between free movement and movement under rider in performance tests of German Warmblood horses. Livestock Science, 142(1-3), 245-252.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2011.08.001Clayton, H. M. (2004). The dynamic horse: a biomechanical guide to equine movement and performance. Madison, MI: Sport Horse Publications. ISBN 097476700X.Fredricson, I. et al. (1983). Treadmill for equine locomotion analysis. Equine Veterinary Journal, 15(2), 111-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01730.xHalo, M. et al. (2008). Genetic efficiency parameters of Slovak warm-blood horses. Arch. Tierz., Dummerstorf 51 (2008) 1, 05-15.Halo, M. et al. (2008). Influence stres on the training process of the horses. Journal of Central European Agriculture Open Access, 9(1), 217-223.Leleu, C., Cotrel, C. & Barrey, E. (2005). Relationships between biomechanical variables and race performance in French Standardbred trotters. Livestock Production Science, 92(1), 39-46.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livprodsci.2004.07.019  Mcbride, S. D. & Mills, D. S. (2012). Psychological factors affecting equine performance. BMC Veterinary Research, 8, 180. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-180McGreevy, P. D. & McLean, A. N. (2007). Roles of learning theory and ethology in equitation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 2(4), 108-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2007.05.003Mlyneková, E. et al (2016). Impact of training load on the heart rate of horses. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 19, 2016(4):167-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2016.19.04.167-170Moore, J. (2010). General biomechanics: the horse as a biological machine. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 30(7), 379-383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2010.06.002Parkes, R. S. V. et al. (2019). The Effect of Training on Stride Duration in a Cohors of Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals, 9(7), 466. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9070466Persson, S. G. P. (1967). On blood volume and working capacity in horses. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 19(Suppl.), 9-189.Straub, R. & Hoppeler, U. (1989). Leistungstest im Feld und auf dem Laufband - Eine vergleichende Studie.  2nd Congress of the world Equine Vet. Assoc. Essen: Equitana

Influence of Different Levels of Load on the Metabolic Profile of Horses – a Review

Livestock breeding has been carried out for several millennia based on an external assessment, i.e. exterior. Especially in horses that are bred for muscular work, the relationship between the shape of the body structure on the one hand and the purpose of use or performance on the other hand is very clear. At first glance, it is obvious that good horses in pull, jump or racing have different body shapes and not every formation of a body part provides a precondition for maximum performance. This knowledge has been known since the Middle Ages and led to the search for the ideal, the most beautiful or best animal. The performance of a sport and racing horse is conditioned not only by the quality of its gene pool, but also by many external factors. Of these, nutrition, the quality of breeding, the level of zootechnical care and, finally, the quality of the sports rider and coach dominate. An important factor is the process of adaptation to the load. The use of knowledge from the physiology of horse adaptation is the first step to intensify and improve the training process. The correct composition of the degree of load induces a whole complex of positive adaptive changes in trained individuals. Load limits must be set in such a way as to maintain all animal health requirements while achieving a high level of performance

Effects of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury on the Structure and Function of Reproductive Organs

Reproductive organs are essential not only for the life of an individual but also for the survival and development of the species. The response of reproductive organs to toxic substances differs from that of other target organs, and they may serve as an ideal &ldquo;barometer&rdquo; for the deleterious effects of environmental pollution on animal and human health. The incidence of infertility, cancers, and associated maladies has increased in the last fifty years or more, while various anthropogenic activities have released into the environment numerous toxic substances, including cadmium, lead, and mercury. Data from epidemiological studies suggested that environmental exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury may have produced reproductive and developmental toxicity. The present review focused on experimental studies using rats, mice, avian, and rabbits to demonstrate unambiguously effects of cadmium, lead, or mercury on the structure and function of reproductive organs. In addition, relevant human studies are discussed. The experimental studies reviewed have indicated that the testis and ovary are particularly sensitive to cadmium, lead, and mercury because these organs are distinguished by an intense cellular activity, where vital processes of spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and folliculogenesis occur. In ovaries, manifestation of toxicity induced by cadmium, lead, or mercury included decreased follicular growth, occurrence of follicular atresia, degeneration of the corpus luteum, and alterations in cycle. In testes, toxic effects following exposure to cadmium, lead, or mercury included alterations of seminiferous tubules, testicular stroma, and decrease of spermatozoa count, motility and viability, and aberrant spermatozoa morphology

Evidence for Ovarian and Testicular Toxicities of Cadmium and Detoxification by Natural Substances

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant, capable of reducing mitochondrial ATP production and promoting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with resultant oxidative stress conditions. The ovary and testis are the primary gonads in which female gametes (oocytes) and male gametes (spermatozoa), estrogen and testosterone are produced. These organs are particularly susceptible to Cd cytotoxicity due to their high metabolic activities and high energy demands. In this review, epidemiological and experimental studies examining Cd toxicities in gonads are highlighted together with studies using zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and natural substances to reduce the effects of Cd on follicular genesis and spermatogenesis. Higher blood concentrations of Cd ([Cd]b) were associated with longer time-to-pregnancy in a prospective cohort study. Cd excretion rate (ECd) as low as 0.8 &mu;g/g creatinine was associated with reduced spermatozoa vitality, while Zn and Se may protect against spermatozoa quality decline accompanying Cd exposure. ECd &gt; 0.68 &micro;g/g creatinine were associated with an increased risk of premature ovarian failure by 2.5-fold, while [Cd]b &ge; 0.34 &micro;g/L were associated with a 2.5-fold increase in the risk of infertility in women. Of concern, urinary excretion of Cd at 0.68 and 0.8 &mu;g/g creatinine found to be associated with fecundity are respectively 13% and 15% of the conventional threshold limit for Cd-induced kidney tubular effects of 5.24 &mu;g/g creatinine. These findings suggest that toxicity of Cd in primary reproductive organs occurs at relatively low body burden, thereby arguing for minimization of exposure and environmental pollution by Cd and its transfer to the food web

Taurine Affect the Quality of Stallion Spermatozoa – a Review

Considering that spermatozoa are very sensitive cells, research of conservation media with different natural substances is very important area for many research institutions. Preservation media help to keep fertility ability of spermatozoa after long hours of storage and transport. In order to be able to use suitable natural substances as a conservation medium and successfully implement fertilization of a selected mare is necessary to ensure a thorough evaluation of spermatozoa. One of the most important evaluated parameters of stallion ejaculate quality is sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Commonly used methods for assessment of spermatozoa parameters are CASA system (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis) and mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT). This review summarises effect of taurine on stallion spermatozoa during storage and transport, especially in the development of potential parts conservation mediums