Dairy cow nutrition influence on the composition of bioactive fatty acid in milk

U radu su prikazani hranidbeni čimbenici koji mogu utjecati na promjenu sastava bioaktivnih masnih kiselina u mlijeku krava. Pretpostavka negativnog učinka pojedinih masnih kiselina, kojima mlijeko krava obiluje na ljudsko zdravlje, dovelo je do većeg broja multidisciplinarnih istraživanja koja nastoje povećati udio poželjnih masnih kiselina. Istovremeno se nastoji smanjiti omjer nepoželjnih masnih kiselina uz zadržavaje fizikalnih i organoleptičkih svojstava mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda sa svrhom povećanja hranidbene kakvoće mliječne masti i mlijeka. Taj cilj nije lako postići. Preduvjet je dobro poznavanje fiziologije probave masti u buragu preživača. Premda još uvijek nisu poznati svi putevi biohidrogenacije masnih kiselina u buragu, kao ni učinak pojedinih voluminoznih krmiva na sastav masnih kiselina u mliječnoj masti, utvrđeno je da se određenom hranidbom može u kraćem vremenskom razmaku utjecati na sadržaj i sastav mliječne masti.The influence of cow nutrition on the compositional change of bioactive fatty acid in cow’s milk is presented. The hypothesis of negative effect of some fatty acids on human health has resulted in more research in many fields. As the unfavourable fatty acids are abundant in cow’s milk, the scientists are making efforts to increase the favourable fatty acids at the same time striving to decrease unfavourable fatty acids in milk keeping the physical and other nutritional properties of milk to enhance the nutritional quality of milk fat and milk. This is not easy to achieve. The preconditions are good knowledge of the rumen physiology and metabolism of lipids in ruminants. Although the biohydrogenation pathways of fatty acids in the rumen are far from known and the influence of forage choice on fatty acid composition in milk fat, it has been established that particular nutrition could change the milk fat composition in a short time

Health benefit of bioactive substances in cow’s milk

Prva i osnovna hrana mladunčadi svih sisavaca je - mlijeko. Još uvijek se istražuje kolika je važnost mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda u ishrani odraslog čovjeka te kakav je njihov učinak na zdravlje. S obzirom da je mlijeko složenog sastava, godinama se proučavaju pozitivne, ali i negativne strane njegovih pojedinih sastojaka. Unutar sastojaka mlijeka nalaze se brojne tvari različitih bioloških učinaka koje mlijeku daju epitet funkcionalne hrane. Mlijeko sadržava tvari raznolikog kemijskog sastava koje vrlo djelotvorno sudjeluju u podržavanju određenih fizioloških funkcija organizma te, potkrijepljeno znanstvenim dokazima, imaju i ljekovit učinak. Radi dobrobiti ljudskog zdravlja, znanstvenici i istraživači još uvijek razmatraju moguće biološke učinke pojedinih sastojaka kravljeg mlijeka, međutim rezultati procjene su vrlo često oprečni. U ovom su radu razmotrene do danas poznate biološki aktivne tvari u kravljem mlijeku i njihovi potencijalni učinci na zdravlje te su raspravljene mogućnosti povećanja sastojaka mlijeka koji su se pokazali osobito korisnim i djelotvornim u prevenciji bolesti.The very first and an essential food provided to offspring of all mammals is milk. The importance of milk and dairy products in human diet, as promoters of good health, is still investigated. Since milk\u27s composition is rather complex, its constituents have been for many years on the priority list of research, with their positive and negative effects on human health. Milk is composed of various substances with bioactive properties and therefore milk was given an epithet of functional food. The high diversity in chemical structure enables milk constituents to support particular physiological functions of organism, and express curing effects which is scientifically proven. The scientists and researchers are still discussing possible influences of particular bioactive components from cow’s milk on human well being, and their assessments are very often controversial. In this paper the presently known bioactive substances in cow’s milk and theirs potential implications on human health are reported, pointing the directions for further research, particularly related to increase of the most useful and the most effective milk components for the prevention of pathological processes and disease development

Analiza kompletne krvne slike i morfometrija eritrocita novozelandskoga bijeloga kunića

The total and differential leukocyte count, erythrocyte and thrombocyte count, the hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and red cell distribution width in male and female New Zealand white rabbits were studied. Furthermore, the basic red blood cell morphometric characteristics were analyzed. The complete blood count values were within the reference intervals for this rabbit breed. Comparing the results regarding the gender, signifi cantly higher hemoglobin concentrations were detected in female rabbits (134.86 vs. 127.5 g/L), whereas in males the anisocytosis was more prominent (RDW 16.09 vs. 15.53). The results of mathematical analysis of the morphometry of erythrocytes revealed statistically different parameters in males and females. Erythrocytes of females had a larger area (30.81 vs. 27.6 μm2), greater maximal (3.54 vs. 3.34 μm) and minimal radius (2.61 vs. 2.47 μm), greater convex area (31.95 vs. 29.03 μm2) and greater length (6.73 vs. 6.33 μm) and cell elongation factor (1.14 vs. 1.10) than the erythrocytes of males. Though the average cell volume was not significantly different, morphometry data showed that the erythrocytes in males were smaller and with lesser prominence than in females, which is congruent with higher RDW and lower hemoglobin concentration in the male rabbits’ blood, and presumably the higher presence of microcytes in the blood of male rabbits. In conclusion, erythrocyte morphometry may provide valuable data about the changes in erythrocyte morphology and could complement the results obtained by standard hematology methods.Istražen je ukupan i diferencijalni broj leukocita, broj eritrocita, koncentracija hemoglobina, hematokrit, srednji volumen eritrocita, srednja količina hemoglobina, srednja koncentracija hemoglobina po eritrocitu, raspodjela eritrocita po volumenu i ukupan broj trombocita u mužjaka i ženki novozelandskoga bijeloga kunića. Nadalje, učinjena je analiza osnovnih morfometrijskih karakteristika eritrocita. Vrijednosti pokazatelja kompletne krvne slike bile su unutar granica referentnih vrijednosti za tu pasminu kunića. Raspodjela rezultata prema spolu kunića, pokazala je da su ženke imale značajno veću koncentraciju hemoglobina u krvi od mužjaka (134,86/127,5 g/L), dok su mužjaci imali jače izraženu anizocitozu (RDW 16,09/15,53). Rezultati matematičke analize morfometrijskih pokazatelja eritrocita pokazali su statistički značajne razlike između eritrocita mužjaka i ženki. Eritrociti ženki imali su veću površinu (30,81/27,6 μm2), veći maksimalni (3,54/3,34 μm) i minimalni polumjer (2,61/2,47 μm), veći konveksitet površine (31,95/29,03 μm2) te veću duljinu (6,73/6,33 μm) i faktor izduženosti stanice (1,14/1,10). Iako se prosječni volumen stanica nije značajno razlikovao, morfometrijski podatci govore da su eritrociti u mužjaka bili manji i slabije ispupčeni od onih u ženki, što se podudara s većom RDW vrijednosti i nalazom niže koncentracije hemoglobina u krvi mužjaka, te se vjerojatno radilo o većem postotku mikrocita u krvi kunića muškog spola. Zaključeno je da morfometrija eritrocita može pružiti vrijedne podatke o promjenama izgleda eritrocita i upotpuniti nalaze dobivene klasičnim hematološkim metodama

Monitoring of milk production and total cholesterol concentration, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and glutathione peroxidase in Simmental cows blood

U dva istraživačka razdoblja (prvi – u svibnju 2004., drugi – u lipnju 2004.) praćena je proizvodnja mlijeka, koncentracija kolesterola i aktivnost gama-glutamil-transferaze (GGT) te glutation-peroksidaze (GPx) u krvi simentalskih krava. Svrha je bila utvrditi povezanost između proizvodnje mlijeka i pojedinih pokazatelja u krvi, te njihovu moguću primjenu kao pokazatelja mliječnosti. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 12 simentalskih krava s obiteljskog gospodarstva na području Zagrebačke županije. Krave su iz vlastitog uzgoja, podjednake starosti i stadija laktacije. Prosječna proizvodnja mlijeka kao i koncentracija ukupnog kolesterola u plazmi bila je značajno veća u svibnju u odnosu na lipanj (20,55 L/d u odnosu na 15,44 L/d, odnosno 4,55 mmol/L u odnosu na 3,96 mmol/L), dok je aktivnost GPx i GGT bila značajno niža u svibnju u odnosu na lipanj (GPx = 1 720,66 U/L u odnosu na 1 808 U/L; GGT = 20,11 U/L u odnosu na 23,22 U/L). Utvrđena je pozitivna korelacija mliječnosti i koncentracije ukupnog kolesterola u krvnoj plazmi (r = 0,58; p < 0,05). Koncentracija ukupnog kolesterola u krvi simentalskih krava mogla bi poslužiti kao jedan od specifičnih pokazatelja proizvodnih mogućnosti, dok aktivnost navedenih enzima ukazuje na hranidbeni status krava o kojemu ovisi proizvodnja mlijeka.Milk production, total blood cholesterol concentration and activity of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and glutation peroxidase (GPx) in blood of Simmental cows was monitored during two control periods (first control period - May 2004; second control period - June 2004). The objective was to determine a relationship between milk production and particular blood parameters, and their possible implementation as an indicator of milk production. Twelve Simmental cows from small-scale dairy farm in Zagreb County were included in the study. Cows originated from the same herd and were roughly of the same parity and stage of lactation. The average milk production and total blood cholesterol concentration were significantly higher in May then in June (20,55 L/d vs. 15,44 L/d; 4,55 mmol/L vs. 3,96 mmol/L, respectively), whereas the GPx and GGT activity was significantly lower in May in comparison with June (GPx=1720,66 U/L vs. GPx=1808 U/L, and GGT = 20,11 U/L vs. 23,22 U/L, respectively). A positive correlation between the milk production and the total blood cholesterol level was detected (r=0,58). The total blood cholesterol concentration in the blood plasma might have been one of the indicators of production performance in the Simmental cows herd, whereas the activity of stated enzymes may specify the nutritional status thereof the milk production depends on

Utjecaj gladovanja na aktivnost glukoneogenih enzima u jetri i bubrezima pačića.

Blood glucose concentration, liver and kidney gluconeogenic enzyme activities were investigated during a six-day fasting period in ducklings (English heavy breed Peking Duck). Food deprivation commenced when ducklings reached the age of twenty-eight days. Normally fed ducklings were used as a control group. The ducklings were sacrificed by decapitation after a fasting period of three, four, five and six days, and blood and tissue samples were collected from both groups for analysis. During the experiment the concentration of blood glucose was above 6 mmol/L in both the control and experimental groups, except on experimental day three. Significant rises in glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) (G6Pase) activities in the liver were observed on starvation days four, five and six (P = 0.0012, P = 0.0109, P = 0.0279), and in the kidney on starvation days five and six (P = 0.0373, P = 0.0206, respectively). Hepatic fructose-1.6-bis-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) (FDPase) activity showed a significant difference between the fasted and control group only after a four-day fast (P = 0.0491), whereas renal enzyme activity increased after four (P = 0.0279) and six (P = 0.0373) days of food deprivation. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) activity in the liver of fasted ducklings significantly decreased on fasting day five (P = 0.0012), whereas in the kidney a significant rise in four-day fasted animals (P = 0.032) was observed in comparison with the normally fed controls. The results showed that ducklings are able to maintain blood glucose concentration during a six-day fasting period. Changes in gluconeogenic enzyme activities indicate the important role of liver and renal gluconeogenesis for the maintenance of blood glucose concentration in fasted ducklings. These findings agree with earlier data obtained on chicken, thus confirming the similarities between the two avian species regarding the maintenance of blood glucose level with the process of gluconeogenesis during longer fasting.Istraživana je koncentracija glukoze u krvi i aktivnost glukoneogenih enzima u jetri i bubregu pekinških pačića (English heavy breed Peking Duck) tijekom šestodnevnog gladovanja, koje je započeto s navršena četiri tjedna života. Normalno hranjeni pačići služili su kao kontrolna skupina. Pačići su bili žrtvovani dekapitacijom nakon trećeg, četvrtog, petog i šestog dana istraživanja, a krv i uzorci tkiva za analize sakupljani su istovremeno od obje skupine. Tijekom istraživanja, osim trećeg dana, koncentracija glukoze u krvi kontrolne i pokusne skupine bila je veća od 6 mmol/L. Značajan porast aktivnosti glukoze-6-fosfataze (EC 3.1.3.9) (G6Pase) u jetri ustanovljen je četvrtog, petog i šestog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0012, P = 0.019, P = 0.0279), a u bubrezima petog i šestog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0373, P = 0.0206). Aktivnost fruktoze-1,6-bis fosfataze (EC 3.1.3.11) (FDPase) u jetri bila je značajno veća u pokusne nego u kontrolne skupine samo četvrtog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0491), dok je u bubrezima porasla četvrtog (P = 0.0279) i šestog (P = 0.0373) dana gladovanja. Aktivnost fosfoenolpiruvat karboksikinaze (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) u jetri pačića značajno je pala petog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0012), dok je u bubrezima značajno porasla četvrtog dana gladovanja (P = 0.032). Rezultati su pokazali da pačići s navršena četiri tjedna života mogu održavati koncentraciju glukoze u krvi tijekom šestodnevnog gladovanja. Promjene u aktivnostima glukoneogenih enzima upućuju na važnu ulogu procesa glukoneogeneze u jetri i bubrezima za održavanje normoglikemije pačića koji gladuju. Takvi nalazi slažu se s dobro poznatim podacima za piliće, što pokazuje da postoji sličnost između te dvije ptičje vrste u održavanju razine glukoze u krvi procesom glukoneogeneze tijekom dužeg gladovanja

Utjecaj gladovanja na aktivnost glukoneogenih enzima u jetri i bubrezima pačića.

Blood glucose concentration, liver and kidney gluconeogenic enzyme activities were investigated during a six-day fasting period in ducklings (English heavy breed Peking Duck). Food deprivation commenced when ducklings reached the age of twenty-eight days. Normally fed ducklings were used as a control group. The ducklings were sacrificed by decapitation after a fasting period of three, four, five and six days, and blood and tissue samples were collected from both groups for analysis. During the experiment the concentration of blood glucose was above 6 mmol/L in both the control and experimental groups, except on experimental day three. Significant rises in glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) (G6Pase) activities in the liver were observed on starvation days four, five and six (P = 0.0012, P = 0.0109, P = 0.0279), and in the kidney on starvation days five and six (P = 0.0373, P = 0.0206, respectively). Hepatic fructose-1.6-bis-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) (FDPase) activity showed a significant difference between the fasted and control group only after a four-day fast (P = 0.0491), whereas renal enzyme activity increased after four (P = 0.0279) and six (P = 0.0373) days of food deprivation. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) activity in the liver of fasted ducklings significantly decreased on fasting day five (P = 0.0012), whereas in the kidney a significant rise in four-day fasted animals (P = 0.032) was observed in comparison with the normally fed controls. The results showed that ducklings are able to maintain blood glucose concentration during a six-day fasting period. Changes in gluconeogenic enzyme activities indicate the important role of liver and renal gluconeogenesis for the maintenance of blood glucose concentration in fasted ducklings. These findings agree with earlier data obtained on chicken, thus confirming the similarities between the two avian species regarding the maintenance of blood glucose level with the process of gluconeogenesis during longer fasting.Istraživana je koncentracija glukoze u krvi i aktivnost glukoneogenih enzima u jetri i bubregu pekinških pačića (English heavy breed Peking Duck) tijekom šestodnevnog gladovanja, koje je započeto s navršena četiri tjedna života. Normalno hranjeni pačići služili su kao kontrolna skupina. Pačići su bili žrtvovani dekapitacijom nakon trećeg, četvrtog, petog i šestog dana istraživanja, a krv i uzorci tkiva za analize sakupljani su istovremeno od obje skupine. Tijekom istraživanja, osim trećeg dana, koncentracija glukoze u krvi kontrolne i pokusne skupine bila je veća od 6 mmol/L. Značajan porast aktivnosti glukoze-6-fosfataze (EC 3.1.3.9) (G6Pase) u jetri ustanovljen je četvrtog, petog i šestog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0012, P = 0.019, P = 0.0279), a u bubrezima petog i šestog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0373, P = 0.0206). Aktivnost fruktoze-1,6-bis fosfataze (EC 3.1.3.11) (FDPase) u jetri bila je značajno veća u pokusne nego u kontrolne skupine samo četvrtog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0491), dok je u bubrezima porasla četvrtog (P = 0.0279) i šestog (P = 0.0373) dana gladovanja. Aktivnost fosfoenolpiruvat karboksikinaze (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) u jetri pačića značajno je pala petog dana gladovanja (P = 0.0012), dok je u bubrezima značajno porasla četvrtog dana gladovanja (P = 0.032). Rezultati su pokazali da pačići s navršena četiri tjedna života mogu održavati koncentraciju glukoze u krvi tijekom šestodnevnog gladovanja. Promjene u aktivnostima glukoneogenih enzima upućuju na važnu ulogu procesa glukoneogeneze u jetri i bubrezima za održavanje normoglikemije pačića koji gladuju. Takvi nalazi slažu se s dobro poznatim podacima za piliće, što pokazuje da postoji sličnost između te dvije ptičje vrste u održavanju razine glukoze u krvi procesom glukoneogeneze tijekom dužeg gladovanja

Učinak dodavanja organskoga selena u hranu na aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima i lipidsku peroksidaciju u srčanom mišiću pilića tijekom tova

The effect of organic selenium feed supplements on the activities of antioxidant enzymes and on lipid peroxidation was investigated in chickens’ heart muscles during growth. The experiment was carried out on Ross 308 broiler chickens of both sexes, either on standard diet (control) or receiving organic selenium supplementation in the standard diet (experimental). After two, four and six weeks of growth, ten chickens from each group were sacrificed by decapitation and heart muscles were collected for analyses. In the heart muscle the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), cooper zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn- SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxide (TBARS) were determined. During the experiments, age-related differences of antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH and TBARS concentrations were obtained in control and in experimental chicken. At the end of growth, after the 6th week of age, a significant increase of GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD, and CAT activities (P<0.001; P<0.001; P<0.05) with a significant decrease of Mn-SOD activity and GSH concentration (P<0.01; P<0.01) were obtained in the heart muscle of the experimental chickens. In the control chickens, signifi cant increases of GSH-Px, Cu,Zn- SOD and TBARS (P<0.001; P<0.001; P<0.01) with a significant decrease of GSH concentration (P<0.05) were obtained in the heart muscle after six weeks of age. After the fourth week of age, chickens with organic selenium supplementation had a significantly higher activity of GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD (P<0.001; P<0.05; P<0.05) than the control chickens of the same age. In conclusion, chickens with organic selenium supplementation in the diet maintained their antioxidant systems in the heart muscle more effectively, with enhanced antioxidant defence.Istražen je učinak dodavanja organskoga selena u hranu na aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima i na intenzitet lipidske peroksidacije u srčanom mišiću pilića tijekom tova. Istraživanja su načinjena na pilićima hibridne linije Ross 308 koji su tijekom tova hranjeni standardnim smjesama (kontrolna skupina) i na pilićima kojima je tijekom tova u standardnu smjesu dodano 0,3 ppm organskoga selena (pokusna skupina). Po deset nasumce odabranih pilića kontrolne i deset pilića pokusne skupine žrtvovano je dekapitacijom u dobi od dva, četiri i šest tjedana. Odmah po žrtvovanju životinja uzeti su uzorci srčanoga mišića u kojima su određene aktivnosti glutation peroksidaze (GSH-Px), katalaze (CAT), bakar cink superoksid dismutaze (Cu,Zn-SOD) i manganske superoksid dismutaze (Mn-SOD) te koncentracija reduciranog glutationa GSH) i intenzitet lipidske peroksidacije (TBARS). Tijekom tova pilića utvrđene su značajne razlike aktivnosti antioksidativnih enzima te koncentracija GSH i TBARS kod obje skupine pilića. Po završetka tova, u dobi od šest tjedana, utvrđen je značajan porast aktivnosti GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD i CAT (P<0,001; P<0,001; P<0,05) uz značajno smanjenje Mn- SOD i GSH (P<0,01; P<0,01) u srčanom mišiću pokusne skupine pilića. Istodobno je u srčanom mišiću kontrolne skupine pilića utvrđen značajan porast GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD i TBARS (P<0,001; P<0,001; P<0,01) te značajno smanjenje koncentracije GSH (P<0,05). Značajno viša aktivnost GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD i Mn-SOD (P<0,001; P<0,05; P<0,05) u srčanom mišiću pokusne skupine pilića u dobi od četiri tjedna upućuje na pozitivan učinak organskoga selena, koji u konačnici može rezultirati boljom antioksidativnom zaštitom srčanoga mišića

Sastav masnih kiselina u plazmi i mlijeku holstein krava hranjenih dodatkom lanenog sjemena i organskog selena

Linseed is well known for abundant content of α-linolenic acid why it has been widely used as a source of n-3 fatty acid. Higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids can increase lipid peroxidation. Selenium (Se) plays a key role in antioxidant enzymes and can therefore be regarded for use in attempts focused on protection of fatty acids from oxidation. The organic Se has been shown to have higher bioavailability compared to the inorganic selenium. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of dietary replacement of n-6 with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma and milk fatty acid composition in the dairy cows. The experiment was conducted on 30 dairy Holstein cows in the period from parturition until the 3rd week of lactation. Soybean meal from control (C) group was replaced with grounded linseed in the both experimental (LS and LS+Se) groups. In addition to that, in the 2nd experimental (LS+Se) group sodium selenite from premix was replaced with organic selenium. Blood and milk samples were collected at 21st day of lactation and fatty acids were determined using gas chromatography from it. Feeding dairy cows during transition period with linseed showed a positive impact on milk fatty acid composition by increasing (P0.05).Laneno sjeme je krmivo bogato n-3 masnim kiselinama, ali veliki udio nezasićenih masnih kiselina može povećati lipidnu peroksidaciju. Selen, kao mikroelement, koji je nužan za normalno funkcioniranje andioksidativne obrane, može se koristiti kao aditiv kako bi se smanjila oksidacija masnih kiselina. Organski oblici selena imaju veću bioraspoloživost u odnosu na anorganske oblike. Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj zamjene dijela n-6 masnih kiselina obroka sa n-3 polinezasićenim masnim kiselinama na masnokiselinski sastav krvne plazme i mlijeka mliječnih krava. Pokus je proveden na 30 krava pasmine holštajn u razdoblju od partusa do 21. dana laktacije. Sojina sačma iz kontrolne (C) skupine zamijenjena je lanenim sjemenom u pokusnim (LS i LS+Se) skupinama. Uz to anorganski oblik selena iz premiksa 2. pokusne skupine (LS+Se) zamijenjen je keliranim oblikom selena. U uzorcima krvi i mlijeka prikupljenih 21. dana laktacije određen je sastav masnih kiselina. Dodatak lanenoga sjemena u hranidbi krava tijekom prijelaznoga razdoblja povećao je (P0,05)

Utjecaj spola i kastracije na biokemijski profil seruma svinja u komercijalnom uzgoju

Sex-related differences in physiological processes, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of disease have great importance in human medicine, and these differences should also be investigated and implemented in studies on animals. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effects of sex and castration on the serum biochemical profile of commercial pigs. The study was conducted on clinically healthy, sexually mature fattening pigs of the Swedish Landrace breed, divided into four groups: intact males (n = 6), intact females (n = 5), castrated males (n = 6) and castrated females (n = 7). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein using blood test tubes without an anticoagulant. After centrifugation, the serum was separated, and the values of the following parameters were determined by spectrophotometry: the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase, and the concentrations of total proteins, albumins, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, glucose, urea, bilirubin and creatinine. The study results showed significantly lower (P<0.05) serum glucose concentrations in castrated males as compared to intact males. However, castrated males had significantly higher (P<0.05) urea concentration than intact ones. There were no significant between-group differences in the values of the other parameters investigated, however, certain patterns of occurrence were observed. Accordingly, further studies are required in order to define more accurately the effects of sex and castration on the values of biochemical parameters in the blood serum of pigs.Spolne razlike u fiziološkim procesima, patofiziologiji, dijagnostici i liječenju bolesti imaju sve veću važnost u humanoj medicini, a trebale bi se istražiti te uzeti u obzir i u istraživanjima na životinjama. Prema našim spoznajama u ovom je radu po prvi put istražen utjecaj spola u svinja u komercijalnom uzgoju i utjecaj kastracije općenito u svinja na biokemijski profil seruma. Istraživanje je provedeno na klinički zdravim, spolno zrelim tovljenicima pasmine švedski landras, koji su podijeljeni u četiri skupine: intaktni mužjaci (n = 6), intaktne ženke (n = 5), kastrirani mužjaci (n = 6) i kastrirane ženke (n = 7). Krv je uzorkovana punkcijom jugularne vene u epruvete bez antikoagulansa. Nakon centrifugiranja izdvojen je serum i spektrofotometrijski su određene vrijednosti sljedećih pokazatelja: aktivnosti aspartat-aminotransferaze, alanin-aminotransferaze i γ-glutamil transferaze te koncentracije ukupnih bjelančevina, albumina, triacilglicerola, ukupnog kolesterola, glukoze, ureje, bilirubina i kreatinina. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da je koncentracija glukoze u serumu kastriranih mužjaka bila znakovito manja (P < 0,05) u usporedbi s intaktnim mužjacima. No koncentracija ureje bila je znakovito veća (P < 0,05) u kastriranih mužjaka u usporedbi s intaktnima. Vrijednosti ostalih istraživanih pokazatelja nisu se znakovito razlikovale među skupinama, no uočeni su obrasci različitih vrijednosti pojedinih pokazatelja u različitih skupina. Zaključno, potrebno je provesti daljnja istraživanja kako bi se preciznije definirao utjecaj spola i kastracije na vrijednosti biokemijskih pokazatelja u krvnom serumu svinja