INFLUENCE OF IMMUNOMODULATORS ON NON-SPECIFIC RESISTANCE AND PRODUCTION OF NITRIC OXIDE (II) IN THE ORGANISM OF CALVES

The article presents data on the dynamics of bactericidal activity of blood serum against St. aureus and E. coli, and the lysozyme activity of calf blood serum against Micrococcus lisodeicticus, as well as nitrate and nitrite anions when immunomodulators are administered. It has been established that administration of «Fosprenil» increases bactericidal and lysozyme activity of blood serum, whereas, Imunophane increases nonspecific resistance without affecting lysozyme activity. Nitric oxide (II) has been shown to be directly involved in the mechanism of non-specific immunity. At the same time, the stimulation of serum lysozyme activity requires nitric oxide (II) formation in high concentrations (above 50 µmol/l).

Probiotics Improve Eating Disorders in Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi) Induced by a Pellet Feed Diet via Stimulating Immunity and Regulating Gut Microbiota

Eating disorders are directly or indirectly influenced by gut microbiota and innate immunity. Probiotics have been shown to regulate gut microbiota and stimulate immunity in a variety of species. In this study, three kinds of probiotics, namely, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Clostridium butyricum, were selected for the experiment. The results showed that the addition of three probiotics at a concentration of 108 colony forming unit/mL to the culture water significantly increased the ratio of the pellet feed recipients and survival rate of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) under pellet-feed feeding. In addition, the three kinds of probiotics reversed the decrease in serum lysozyme and immunoglobulin M content, the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione and catalase and the decrease in the expression of the appetite-stimulating regulator agouti gene-related protein of mandarin fish caused by pellet-feed feeding. In terms of intestinal health, the three probiotics reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas in the gut microbiota and increased the height of intestinal villi and the thickness of foregut basement membrane of mandarin fish under pellet-feed feeding. In general, the addition of the three probiotics can significantly improve eating disorders of mandarin fish caused by pellet feeding.

The Comparative Value of Serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) and Lysozyme and the use of Polyclonal Antibody Activation in the Work-up of Ocular Sarcoidosis

Background: The diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis (OS) is difficult to establish in the absence of manifest systemic involvement. To help clinicians reach a diagnosis, we convened a group of experts in 2006 (International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis (IWOS)) to set-up clinical criteria for the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis. In addition, laboratory investigational tests represent a much-needed adjunct to ascertain the diagnosis. However, many of these tests have low sensitivity and specificity. Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum ACE, serum lysozyme and polyclonal antibody activation in the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis and compare the frequency of increased serum levels of lysozyme and ACE in proven ocular sarcoidosis or in suspected ocular sarcoidosis. Methods: Serum ACE and lysozyme were assessed in these two groups and their means compared to a group of non-granulomatous (i.e., non-sarcoidosis) uveitis patients. The proportion of elevated serum ACE versus lysozyme was compared in the sarcoidosis patients. Polyclonal antibody activation was measured by establishing exposition of patients to four human commensal herpesviruses (EBV, CMV, HSV and VZV) using ELISA or immunofluorescence and in parallel by performing quantitative complement fixation (CF) serologies. The ratio of elevated CF to positive ELISA/immunofluorescence serologies was calculated. The mean of ratios (polyclonal antibody activation) was compared between ocular sarcoidosis and control groups. Results: Thirty-seven patients (F24/M13) were included in our study including 17 patients with IWOS Level 1 and 2 criteria qualifying for Group 1 (proven sarcoidosis) and 20 ocular sarcoidosis suspect patients. Mean age was 54.52 ± 23.74. Mean serum levels of ACE was 49.17± 29 IU/L in the ocular sarcoidosis group versus 27.4 ± 15.34 IU/L (p ≤ 0.00018, student’s t test) in the control group. Mean serum lysozyme levels was 39.92 ± 55.5 mg/L in the ocular sarcoidosis group versus 10.5 ± 5.8 mg/L (p ≤ 0.0013) in the control group (n = 30). Both tests were elevated in 8/37 (21.6%) patients, elevated ACE and normal lysozyme was noted in 2/37 (5.4%) patients, whereas the proportion of normal ACE/elevated lysozyme was much higher, 23/37 (62.2%). In 4/37 (10.8%) patients, both tests were normal. The mean score of polyclonal activation (N of elevated CF serologies divided by number of viruses to which a patient was exposed) was 0.6 ± 0.33 in the ocular sarcoidosis group versus 0.15 ± 0.2 for the control group (n = 42) (p ≤ 0.00001). Sensitivity and specificity of ACE and lysozyme were, respectively, 27%/96.6% and 83.7%/90%. Sensitivity and specificity of polyclonal antibody activation amounted to 70%/90.4% Conclusion: Lysozyme was found to be much more useful than ACE as a laboratory test to support the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis. As shown in a previous study, polyclonal antibody activation appears to be another useful laboratory test supportive of the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis.

HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF STEERS AFTER VASECTOMY

The Kazakh white-headed breed is a breed of beef cattle from Kazakhstan and Russia. The breed was developed between 1930 and 1950 on state farms in the Kazakh republic and the Lower Volga by crossing Hereford cattle with local Kazakh and Kalmyk stock. The breed resembles the Hereford in colour and conformation while incorporating the hardiness of the local breeds. The article shows the results of a study of blood parameters of Kazakh white-headed breed bulls after vasectomy. For this purpose two groups of 20 similar males of 12-14 months of age. The males of the experimental group underwent vasectomy in the farm «Aislu», by «torzing» the tail of the appendage. At 14-16 months of age blood samples were taken from both groups. Erythrocytes and haemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, β and γ globulin were higher in vasectomized males. Data of leucocytes, calcium, phosphorus, reserve alkalinity, α- globulins were similar. Vasoectomy had little effect on serum lysozyme activity and on neutrophil phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. The bactericidal activity of serum of operated males was higher.

Effect of probiotics and selenium-containing preparations on nonspecific resistance of calves

Black-and-white Holstein calves were studied. 3 experimental groups were formed: they included calves of two weeks of age, 10 animals each. The calves of the first group received “Intestevit” probiotic with milk at the rate of 3 doses per day for 1 animal for 15 days. The second group of calves, in addition to “Intestevit” preparation, also received selenium-containing preparation “Selen Plex™” at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The third group was the control group. Blood for testing was taken from the tail vein before the morning feeding and the start of preparation feeding, 30 and 60 days after the use of these preparations. Feeding “Intestevit” preparation to calves from 15 days of age for 60 days increases the following indicators relative to the control group: total immunoglobulins by 8.4%; Leukocyte phagocytic activity (LPA) - 10.5%; serum lysozyme activity (SLA) - 20.1%; serum bactericidal activity (SBA) - 4.6%; T-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 14.1%; B-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 1.5%. Feeding “Intestevit + Selen Plex™” complex preparation to calves from 15 days of age for 60 days increases the following indicators relative to the control group: total immunoglobulins by 11.7%; LPA - 12.1%; SLA - 15.8%; SBA - 7.6%; T-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 17.8%; B-lymphocytes (absolute content) - 2.2%.

DIETARY MANNAN-OLIGOSACCHARIDE INCREASES REACTIVE OXIGEN SPECIES PRODUCTION BUT DECREASES SERUM LYSOZYME IN HIGH LEVELS OF INCLUSION FOR NILE TILAPIA

In the present experiment, the effects of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) on health and growth of Nile tilapia juveniles were investigated. In addition to the control treatment (without MOS),three levels of MOS were included in Nile tilapia diets (1, 8, and 15 g kg−1), and hematology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lysozyme and productive parameters were analyzed. Fish blood was sampled at day zero (basal sample) and after 60 days of trial, and the productive parameters were evaluated at the end of the experiment. MOS feeding decreased the feed consumption (p = 0.0299) in fish fed with 1 and 8 g kg-1, but without any alteration in weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). No changes were observed in the hematology due to MOS feeding after 60 days. However, the prebiotic caused changes in the innate immunity of fish, giving rise to ROS production in fish fed with 1 g kg-1 (p<0.0001) and decreasing the serum lysozyme activity of fish fed with 15 g kg-1 (p<0.0001). In conclusion, the authors recommend the inclusion of 1 g kg-1 for Nile tilapia juveniles feeding due to the positive effect in innate immune system.

Innate Immune Response and Growth Performance of Heterobranchus longifilis Catfish Juveniles Following Dietary Aflatoxin B1 Exposure

We evaluated the effects of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB ) exposure on the immune response and the 1 growth performance of Heterobranchus longifilis catfish; and determined the maximum tolerable limits for AFB in H. longifilis. Five experimental isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets amended 1 with varied concentrations of AFB [Diet A (2.0 μg AFB .kg-1); Diet B (7.3 μg AFB .kg-1); Diet C 1 1 1 (17.6 μg AFB .kg-1); Diet D (48.0 μg AFB .kg-1) and Diet E (93.0 μg AFB .kg-1)] were fed to 450 1 1 1 juvenile H. longifilis in five groups of 15 separate plastic tanks for a period or 56 days. At time points day 7, 14, 28 and day 56, five fish were randomly sampled per tank and assessed for innate immunity and growth response. Fish fed diets amended with AFB exhibited significant reduction 1 (P < 0.05) in the serum lysozyme and epidermal mucus lysozyme activity, epidermal mucus alkaline phosphatase activity and in the phagocyte respiratory burst activity. These parameters decreased with increasing concentrations and duration of dietary AFB (P< 0.05). Dietary AFB 1 1 caused significant reductions in the growth performance of juvenile H. longifilis marked by reductions in the percentage gain in length, reduction in percentage gain in weight and a reduction in the specific growth rate. Based on these results, juvenile H. longifilis catfish appears to tolerate diets containing up to 17.6 μg. Kg-1 AFB in diets.

Effect of Green Algae Chaetomorpha antennina Extract on Growth, Modulate Immunity, and Defenses against Edwardsiella tarda Infection in Labeo rohita

The current study focused on assessing the outcome of methanol extract of Chaetomorpha antennina (MECA) on the growth performance and immune modulation in both specific and non-specific immune responses through the assessment of neutrophil, serum lysozyme, serum myeloperoxidase, antiprotease, ceruloplasmin, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) activity in Labeo rohita (rohu) at 28 days post treatment along with assessment of the disease resistance capacity against Edwardsiella tarda at 30days post immunization. Fishes (n = 144; average weight 50.0 ± 0.23 g) were evenly divided into four treatments, with 12 fishes per tank in triplicates. The MECA was injected intraperitoneally in the fishes at different doses as 0, 25, 75, and 150 mg/kg of the body weight. The results demonstrated that fish treated with MECA have an increased body weight, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) with respect to the control group. Results suggested that the MECA inclusion can significantly enhance (p < 0.05) the levels of serum lysozyme, neutrophil function, serum antiprotease activity, cellular RNS, and ROS production. Exposure to MECA of 75 mg/kg showed a significantly higher survival percentage against E. tarda disease infection. These results indicate MECA as a stimulant of immunity in L. rohita against E. tarda. The results suggested that MECA is a potent immunostimulant in finfish aquaculture and can offer higher economic welfare.