Production performance of pigs reared in different systems and fed increased energy content diets with or without green alfalfa

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various feeding and housing systems on fattening performance, slaughter value and biochemical serum parameters in growing-finishing pigs. The experimental material comprised 90 growing-finishing pigs, divided into six groups of 15 animals that were diverse in terms of rearing (with or without free access to outdoor runs) and feeding systems (fed increased metabolizable energy (ME) content diets with or without green alfalfa). Different feeding regimes and rearing systems had no significant effects on most fattening results and the carcass traits of the pigs except for daily water and diet intake and feed/gain ratio. Daily water intake was lower in pigs fed complete diets plus green alfalfa forage. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were statistically lower in the blood serum of Groups 3 and 6 than in Groups 2 and 4. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the serum of Group 6, compared with other groups. Group 3 had significantly higher triglycerides levels compared with Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Taking into consideration all these dependencies, it could be assumed that feeding regime and rearing with access to outdoor runs might improve not only blood lipid profile, but also the dietetic value of pork. It seems that feeding a complete diet with increased ME, plus green alfalfa forage and rearing indoors with free access to outdoor runs, gave the best results. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Activities of enzymes connected with IAA oxidation in cucumbers of various sex types

Activity of peroxidase, cqtalase, and IAA-oxidase in flower buds, stems and stem callus cultures derived from four pure genetic lines of Cucumis sativus L., i.e. male, monoecious, female and hermaphrodite was determined. The activities of all enzymes in flower buds and callus cultures are considerably higher in the female lines then in male ones. IAA-oxidase activity is the highest in female line, independently of the type of plant material under examination. The activities of the remaining two enzymes depend on the type of tissue or organ under examination

Callus induction and growth of tissue cultures derived from cucumber plant organs of four different sex types

In order to determine the concentration ranges of IAA and kinetin required for callus induction and subsequent callus growth, stem pieces and floral buds from plants of four various sex types of Cucumis sativus L. were grown in the in vitro culture. Requirements for phytohormones depend upon the kind of organ and the sex line. Tissues of male and monoecious lines were more sensitive to IAA deficiency, whereas male and hermaphrodite ones to kinetin deficiency. This tendency has been observed to occur for nearly 18 months

Nutrigenomics – a new approach for cancer prevention and treatment

Diet is a major environmental factor which maintains metabolic balance and body homeostasis. The aim of the study was to present the latest reports on the biological activity of the food compounds in a critical review. It has been shown that bioactive substances supplied with food e.g. polyphenols, flavonoids or phenolic acids exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory fun-ctions. What is more, they favourably downregulate major oncogenes and enhance suppressors’ expression. Studies show that these substances can be an important component of cancer prevention and treatment. However, there are micronutrients like iron or copper which elevated levels in cancer cells occurs and should be considered as a therapeutic targets

The role of boron in animal health

Boron is a mineral used for various purposes in glass, ceramics, automotive and paint industries. Recently, boron has been confirmed to be an essential element for plants, animals and humans, although the knowledge of its biological effects is rather scanty. Boron is a dynamic trace element, and inorganic borates are transformed into boric acids and absorbed from mucosal surfaces, even when they are in low levels of physiological pH. It has been determined that boron affects many enzymes, bone development, mineralization, Ca, P, Mg and energy metabolism. Boron mineral compounds can be effective in optimizing the performance of an organism, treatment of bone structure disorders, reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Beside the effects it produces specifically on fat and lipid metabolisms, boron can influence the activity of vitamin D and affect some disorders connected with its deficiency. Although several studies on effects of boron on some mechanisms have been conducted over the last ten years, the available information remains insufficient

The role of boron in animal health

Boron is a mineral used for various purposes in glass, ceramics, automotive and paint industries. Recently, boron has been confirmed to be an essential element for plants, animals and humans, although the knowledge of its biological effects is rather scanty. Boron is a dynamic trace element, and inorganic borates are transformed into boric acids and absorbed from mucosal surfaces, even when they are in low levels of physiological pH. It has been determined that boron affects many enzymes, bone development, mineralization, Ca, P, Mg and energy metabolism. Boron mineral compounds can be effective in optimizing the performance of an organism, treatment of bone structure disorders, reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Beside the effects it produces specifically on fat and lipid metabolisms, boron can influence the activity of vitamin D and affect some disorders connected with its deficiency. Although several studies on effects of boron on some mechanisms have been conducted over the last ten years, the available information remains insufficient