Effect of minimal disease in a herd on reproductive parameters of sows

The aim of this study was evaluation of reproductive performance in sows from herds with minimal disease. Total number of 40 sows were included in the observation and evaluated from the 1st to the 4th parity. The highest reproductive performance was recorded at the 3rd parity. Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between the 1st and the 3rd parity and highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) was recorded between the 2nd and the 3rd parity in number of live-born piglets. Comparison of numbers of stillborn piglets showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean values of the 1st and the 4th parity. The results also showed highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in number of reared piglets between the 3rd and the 4th parity. The conclusions of this study indicate that creation and maintenance of herds of sows with high health status lead to excellent results in the area of pig reproduction.O

Effect of Protein Concentrate Supplementation on the Composition of Amino Acids in Milk from Dairy Cows in an Organic Farming System

Our experiment examined the effect of feeding a protein concentrate supplement on the composition of amino acids in milk from dairy cows managed in an organic farming system. The experiment included two groups of cows. Animals in both groups received an identical basic feed ration composed of maize silage, clover-grass haylage from the first cutting, grass haylage from the first cutting, winter wheat and spring barley. The first group of dairy cows (n = 10) served as a control without the addition of protein concentrate to the feed ration. The second experimental group (n = 10) received in addition to the basic feed ration a protein concentrate composed of soybean, sunflower and linseed cakes at rate 1 kg per head per day. The experiment lasted 30 days. Milk analysed for amino acid content was sampled at 10-day intervals. Addition of the protein concentrate significantly increased milk contents of aspartic acid, proline, threonine, glycine, alanine and glutamic acid. A significant decrease of valine also was recorded in milk from the experimental group. The results of our experiment show that a protein concentrate supplement can affect concentrations of some amino acids in milk from dairy cows.O

Influence of L-carnitine daily supplement on qualitative and quantitative ejaculate indicators in boars during the summer period

The purpose of the project was to determine impact of added L-carnitine in feed ration on quality of Duroc boar ejaculate during the summer period (June - September). Temperature in the stable achieved up to 29.9 oC. For the experiment was chosen 24 Duroc boars. Boars were divided into 2 groups: The control group of boars (n = 12) was fed by the basic feed mixture only. The experimental group of boars (n = 12) was supplemented by 500 mg of L-carnitine/kg of the feed ration. Ejaculate was collected once a week. Monitored parameters were: volume of ejaculate, concentration of sperm, total sperm count, motility of sperm and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm. L-carnitine concentration in the ejaculate was monitored as well. Results of the experiment show that supplementation of 500 g of L-carnitine into boar ration had a positive impact on sperm motility, significant difference between the boar groups by 8.54 % (P < 0.05) and on decreased morphologically abnormal sperm, significant difference between groups by 12.6 % (P < 0.05), and also significant difference in experimental group during the monitoring by 4.06 % (P < 0.05). After biochemical analysis have been found a statistically significant increase in concentration of L-carnitine in the ejaculate of the experimental group (up to 21.1 μg/ml) and a statistically significant difference between groups (22.0 μg/ml), (P < 0.05).O

Essential Oils as a Feed Additives: Pharmacokinetics and Potential Toxicity in Monogastric Animals

Essential oils (EOs) are now a hot topic in finding modern substitutes for antibiotics. Many studies have shown positive results and confirmed their high antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. Deservedly, there is an attempt to use EOs as a substitute for antibiotics, which are currently limited by legislation in animal breeding. Given the potential of EOs, studies on their fate in the body need to be summarized. The content of EO's active substances varies depending on growing conditions and consequently on processing and storage. Their content also changes dynamically during the passage through the gastrointestinal tract and their effective concentration can be noticeably diluted at their place of action (small intestine and colon). Based on the solubility of the individual EO's active substances, they are eliminated from the body at different rates. Despite a strong antimicrobial effect, some oils can be toxic to the body and cause damage to the liver, kidneys, or gastrointestinal tissues. Reproductive toxicity has been reported for Origanum vulgare and Mentha arvensis. Several publications also address the effect on the genome. It has been observed that EOs can show both genoprotective effects (Syzygium aromaticum) and genotoxicity, as is the case of Cinnamomum camphor. This review shows that although oils are mainly studied as promising antimicrobials, it is also important to assess animal safety.O

Physiological and Immune Functions of Punicalagin

The aim of this publication is to compile a summary of the findings regarding punicalagin in various tissues described thus far in the literature, with an emphasis on the effect of this substance on immune reactions. Punicalagin (PUN) is an ellagitannin found in the peel of pomegranate (Punica granatum). It is a polyphenol with proven antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic and chemopreventive activities, antiproliferative activity against tumor cells; it inhibits inflammatory pathways and the action of toxic substances, and is highly tolerated. This work describes the source, metabolism, functions and effects of punicalagin, its derivatives and metabolites. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are described.O

Influence of milk thistle pressed parts on rats liver histology

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is one of the best known and very often used herbs with positive effect on liver. The aim of this article was to study influence of addition of milk thistle pressed parts in feed ration on liver histology and weight increase of laboratory rats. The experiment was tested by 15 pieces of laboratory rats divided into 3 groups (A, B, C). The rats in first group (A) hade feed ration with addition of 10% milk thistle pressed parts, second group (B) hade feed ration with 20% and control group (C) hade feed ration without addition of milk thistle pressed parts. The silymarin content of pressed milk thistle seed was 26.2 mg/g. The aim of this article is to study influence of addition of milk thistle pressed parts in feed ration on liver histology and weight increase of laboratory rats. The hypothesis is that the feeding addition - milk thistle seed pressed parts has positive effect on weight performance and liver histology. Does the feeding addition have any effect on these health indicators? Does feeding of milk thistle seed pressed parts have any sense? In results, the groups with addition of milk thistle had significant bigger average gain increases than the control group. Histological results vary considerably among groups of rats. All rats in the control group had dystrophic liver with sinusoidal congestion. In most rats of the group A, the dystrophy was minimal without congestion. On the other hand, most of rats of the group B had liver dystrophy caused by large droplets steatosis with congestion. All rats in control group C were found to have significant dystrophy caused by steatosis. The results indicate rats receiving the addition of milk thistle pressed parts in their feed had a lower incidence of liver steatosis due to the hepatoprotective effects of silymarin.O

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Phosphate-Based Zinc Nanoparticles

In recent years, zinc nanoparticles have captivated an attention due to their antimicrobial properties. Moreover, the advantage of nanomaterials is an ability to modify their chemical composition and influence their antibacterial properties. In this study, zinc-phosphate nanoparticles (ZnNPs) were prepared via chemical route of synthesis. Their antibacterial activity was evaluated by monitoring a bacterial growth of model microorganisms: gram-negative (G-) E. coli, and gram-positive (G+) S. aureus as well as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Obtained results have shown, the ZnNPs are the most effective against G+ S. aureus compared to MRSA or G- E. coli. The inhibition concentrations for S. aureus, E. coli and MRSA was 0.16, 1.25, 2.5 mM, respectively. To conclude, ZnNPs exhibit antibacterial activity against both G+ and G- model microorganisms, however, G- bacteria are more sensitive against ZnNPs.O

Development of pH-Responsive Biopolymeric Nanocapsule for Antibacterial Essential Oils

It is generally believed that antibacterial essential oils have the potential to become one of the alternatives in preventing diarrheal diseases of monogastric animals. The disadvantage is their low efficiency per oral due to easy degradation during digestion in the stomach. This study compares the efficacy of chitosan, alginate-chitosan, guar gum-chitosan, xanthan gum-chitosan and pectin-chitosan nanocapsules to the synthesis of pH-responsive biopolymeric nanocapsule for Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils. Using spectrophotometric approach and gas chromatography, release kinetics were determined in pH 3, 5.6 and 7.4. The growth rates of S. aureus and E. coli, as well as minimal inhibition concentration of essential oils were studied. The average encapsulation efficiency was 60%, and the loading efficiency was 70%. The size of the nanocapsules ranged from 100 nm to 500 nm. Results showed that chitosan-guar gum and chitosan-pectin nanocapsules released 30% of essential oils (EOs) at pH 3 and 80% at pH 7.4 during 3 h. Similar release kinetics were confirmed for thymol, eugenol and α-pinene. Minimal inhibition concentrations of Thymus vulgaris and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils ranged from 0.025 to 0.5%. Findings of this study suggest that the suitable pH-responsive nanocapsule for release, low toxicity and antibacterial activity is based on chitosan-guar gum structure.O

Influence of mycotoxins in barley monodiets on growth performance and rats liver histology

The presence of mycotoxins in animal feed cause health disorders and can also contribute to other factors such as stress, lack of nutrition, infectious agents etc. The aim of this article was to study effect of feed ration contaminated with mycotoxins on liver histology and live weight of laboratory rats. 15 pieces of laboratory rats were divided into 3 groups (A, B, C). The rats in first group (A) fed with part of 30% mycotoxin-contaminated barley, in second group (B were fed with 60% and in control group (C) were fed without mycotoxin-contaminated barley. Content of deoxynivalenol (DON) was 9634 µg/kg and content of zearalenone (ZEN) was 2192 µg/kg. Barley monodietus were given rats in all groups to induce a nutritional imbalance. The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of mycotoxins and nutritional imbalances on weight gains and liver histology. The question is, "will the presence of mycotoxins in feed dose increase negative effect of a monodiets on health status?" No significant differences were found between the observed parameters. The presence of mycotoxins did not aggravate the negative effect of the monodiets on liver histology of the experimental rats.O

Is a new generation of mycotoxin clay adsorbents safe in a pig's diet?

Background: Bentonites, as a clay mineral, serve in pig farms as adsorbents of toxic substances. They are mainly used to reduce the negative impact of mycotoxins to maintain the performance and health status of animals. The new genotypes of pigs are highly sensitive to a range of antinutrients, including mycotoxins. Currently, attention is focused on more effective adsorbents of mycotoxins with a higher adsorption capacity. Such materials are in great demand among feed manufacturers. However, there is a concern that these new materials may also adsorb too many essential nutrients and decrease animal performance. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of the new generation of purified bentonites on the efficiency and health status of the pigs. Results: Forty-eight slaughtered pigs with an average weight of 31.2 +- 2.6 kg were included in the experiment. The pigs were divided into two groups (2 x 24 pigs). Pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 66.3 +- 5.2. The first group had a diet without clay (control-C). The second group (treatment-T) was fed a diet with a clay additive (purified bentonite) of 1.5 kg/t. Animals were fed the experimental diet for 35 days. In group T, a higher daily weight gain (by 4.8%) and feed intake (by 2.9%) was observed while the feed conversion decreased by 1.9%. There were no significant differences between the groups of pigs during observation in the evaluation of hematological, biochemical parameters of the blood. Morpho-pathological analysis of the jejunum showed similar signs of moderate lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate in the mucosa in the groups C and T, contained similar number of goblet cells. Conclusion: Taken together, the addition of the new generation of bentonite clays did not negatively influence the health status and the performance of pigs.O