Prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and reproductive capacity of boars under the influence of copper citrate

Peroxide oxidation processes play a leading role in ensuring the motility, survival and fertilizing ability of sperm. A special role is given to limiting antioxidants (vitamins, amino acids, microelements). Therefore, the development of standardized feeding programs to provide antioxidant nutrition is one of the effective methods of reproductive biotechnology. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of copper citrate on the quality of sperm production and the formation of prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis in sperm of boars. The experiment used adult boars of a large white breed, analogs in age, live weight and quality of sperm products. Experimental groups were fed copper citrate above the norm by 10% and 20%. It has been determined that feeding combined feed to boars with the addition of this compound in an amount of 10% above norm probably increases the weight of ejaculate by 12.5% (P<0.05), the sperm motility and survival by 6.5% (P<0.01) and 13.5% (P<0.001), respectively. Such changes in sperm occur against the background of an increase in SOD activity by 80.6% (P<0.05), a decrease in catalase by 43.5% (P<0.05), a slowing down of peroxidation processes — a decrease in diene conjugates and TBA-active compounds. The additional introduction to the diet of copper citrate by 20% more than normal increases the concentration of spermatozoa by 13.2% (P<0.01), the number of live spermatozoa by 20.7% (P<0,01), with a simultaneous decrease in their survival, due to the acceleration of peroxidation processes — an increase in the content of diene conjugates, TBA-active compounds and DAA and a decrease in reduced glutathione. It has been found out that the fertilizing ability of sperm significantly depended on the amount of fed microelement. Sows inseminated with sperm of boars receiving copper supplement in the diet by 10%, had higher fertility rates by 7.1%, multifertility by 3.6%, and a litter weight at weaning by 8.8%. The additional administration of copper citrate reduced the fertility of sperm by 20%, as the fertility rate of sows of III group was the lowest and was 7.7% and 14.3% lower compared to I and II groups. A similar trend occurred in terms of high fertility, a litter weight at birth and weaning. Therefore, the additional feeding of a small amount of copper has a positive effect on the functional activity of sperm and the processes of normal fertilization, growth and development of embryos and newborn piglets by optimizing the formation of prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis.

Development of technology and doses of native and immobilized invertase in beekeeping

The increased sucrose content of acacia honey is associated with the influence of two factors that restrain the intensity of the disaccharide breakdown process. On the one hand, this is an insufficient invertase activity of the pharyngeal glands in worker bees, and on the other hand, nectar consists mainly of sucrose. According to National Standard of Ukraine 4497:2005, natural honey from white acacia should contain no more than 10% sucrose, but very often beekeepers violate the technology of honey collection and an insufficiently mature product is pumped out. Such honey is not allowed for sale. To avoid such consequences, the use of the enzyme preparation invertase at the stage of the nectar maturation process will contribute, it will make it possible to obtain a product with a lower mass fraction of sucrose. This invertase preparation is used as a food additive in the confectionery industry as a technological tool for the production of invert syrup from sucrose solutions. However, the available information in printed sources on the use of artificial invertase and its effect on the breakdown of disaccharide in beekeeping has not been sufficiently studied. The article investigates the methods of introducing an enzyme preparation into the body of bees for processing nectar. The doses of native and immobilized invertase in beekeeping have been determined. It has been experimentally established that the best way to introduce invertase is to add the enzyme directly to the cells of the combs before placing them in the nests for filling with nectar. Application of 0.2% milk whey powder in syrup stabilizes and prolongs the effect of the enzyme in the honeycomb. The optimal dose of enzyme introduction into the honeycomb is 2–3 mg per 50 mg of syrup with 0.2% milk whey powder.

Innovative technology of obtaining organic marble beef

The aim was to develop an innovative technology for obtaining high-quality organic marble beef. In the experimental farm “Polyvanivka” of the Institute of Grain Crops NAAS the cultivation of bulls of the gray Ukrainian breed up to 30 months of age has been organized using fodder which is traditional for steppe zone of Ukraine. The work has been performed according to the research program of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine no. 37 “System of work in populations and conservation of biological diversity of genetic resources of farm animals” (“Preservation of breed gene pool”). The expediency of organic production of high-quality marble beef obtained in the steppe zone of Ukraine from gray Ukrainian cattle has been proven. This breed has such economically useful features as the duration of production use, longevity, high growth energy (stable average daily gain over 1 kg), and the conversion of diet into products (feed consumption is 70–80 MJ per 1 kg of growth) correlating with the age of the animal, slaughter rates (>60%, meat content is >4 kg per 1 kg of bones, hard skin is >30 kg which belongs to the category of bull production). We have found that it is necessary to determine the cattle fatness not by subcutaneous fat which has no dietary value, but by the beef marbling as a sign of its quality which takes into account the presence of intramuscular and intermuscular fat including unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A and D, as well as the amount of protein and moisture and taste and culinary features of the carcass flesh, such as tenderness, juiciness and aroma. This meets the requirements of the consumer. The proposals based on the results of research on technological changes in animal husbandry promote the development of meat cattle breeding and are of great economic importance for strengthening the health of the population and food safety in Ukraine.

Influence of liposomal drug on the intensity of proteins oxide modification processes in subclinical mastitis of cows

The article contains the experimental studies of the liposomal drug based on plant raw materials ― hypericum (Hypericum perforatum L.) effect on the intensity of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) in the blood and milk of cows with subclinical mastitis. Studies have shown that cows with signs of subclinical form of mastitis in the serum have an increase in the content of aldehyde-derived OMP370 and ketone-derived OMP430, respectively, 1.3 and 1.2 times relative to similar indicators in healthy animals. In the milk of sick cows, the content of derivatives OMP370 and OMP430 was1.99 and 2.29 times higher, respectively, than in animals of the control group. At the beginning of the study sick cows’ milk was recorded a significantly low value of the activity of the enzymatic link of antioxidant protection ― superoxide dismutase. At the same time, a 2.6-fold (P<0.001) increase in the number of somatic cells was noted compared to their number in the milk of clinically healthy cows. Intracisternal injection of liposomal drug to cows caused a decrease in the intensity of oxidative processes. In the blood of sick cows the content of aldehyde derivatives OMP370 on the 9th day of the experiment was 23.1% (P<0.05) less than before the drug, and in milk the content of OMP370 decreased by 61.8% (P<0.01). Similar changes were observed with respect to the level of ketone derivatives. In particular, on the 9th day of the experiment, the content of OMP430 decreased by 11.7% (P<0.05) compared with its value in the blood of sick animals before the introduction of the study drug, and in milk it decreased by 64.2% (P<0.01). During the treatment on the 9th day of the experiment, the number of somatic cells in milk decreased by 41.8% (P<0.01). In the course of treatment on the 3rd and 9th day there was a tendency to increase superoxide dismutase activity in the milk of sick cows compared with the beginning of the experiment. Thus, intracisternal injection of liposomal drug to cows with subclinical mastitis leads to a decrease in aldehyde and ketone derivatives of proteins oxidative modification in serum and milk. At the same time, an increase in the activity of the enzymatic link of antioxidant protection and a decrease in the number of somatic cells in the milk of cows were recorded.

Endogenic retroviruses of PERV A/C in genome of Ukrainian pigs and their correlation with the level of fat in carcasses

The article presents the analysis of the PERV retrovirus subtypes A and C frequency in populations of Ukrainian and foreign breed pigs. Different frequencies of the PERV A/C genome presence in animals of the studied breeds were established. The largest relative number was observed in the group of wild pigs (86%), the smallest was in the groups of Poltava meat and Piétrain breeds. Animals free of both virus subtypes were found in all study groups. The article considers the hypothesis of an increase in the frequency of PERV retrovirus in the pigs’ genome during domestication. Its integration caused a gene mutation responsible for fat deposition which led to increased fat amount in carcasses and could be picked up by selection in the process of creating breeds. However, there is no obvious link between the spread of the virus in modern breeds in different areas of productivity. Also, there is no association between carcass fat amount and the presence of PERV in the genome. It is established that the information on the PERV A/C distribution in pig breeds hold in Ukraine is useful in terms of the possibility of using each of them for xenotransplantation. Also, this information can be used to justify the selection of founding breeds in order to create lines of pigs free from the endogenous retrovirus genome.

The role of the dehydration stage in the post-hypertonic hemolysis of mammalian erythrocytes

The aim of this study was to assess the level of damage to mammalian erythrocytes under post-hypertonic shock depending on the concentration of NaCl in the dehydration medium and to determine the effect of hypertonic NaCl solutions on the condition of mammalian erythrocytes by flow cytometry. To achieve this goal, spectrophotometric and cytometry research methods were used. The data obtained showed that post-hypertonic lysis of mammalian erythrocytes depends on the concentration of NaCl in the dehydration medium. The most sensitive to the effects of post-hypertonic shock are rat erythrocytes, the least sensitive are rabbit cells. Cytometry studies revealed significant changes in the histograms of the distribution of erythrocytes of all mammalian species with increasing salt concentration in the dehydration medium. These changes are species-specific and are probably related to changes in cell volume and morphology. The data revealed a relationship between the level of post-hypertonic hemolysis and the values of such indicators as the median distribution and the coefficient of variation. Thus, an increase in the sensitivity of mammalian erythrocytes to post-hypertonic shock with increasing salt concentration in dehydration medium was usually accompanied by a decrease in the median cell division, and higher values of the coefficient of variation are characteristic of mammalian erythrocytes resistant to post-hypertonic shock.

Features of the influence of oat extract on the antioxidant activity of goose liver

The use of antioxidants in poultry feeding helps to relieve stress of various etiologies. Natural antioxidants have a number of advantages over synthetic ones. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Avena sativa oat extract on the peculiarities of the functioning of the antioxidant system of goose liver during the physiological stress of contour and juvenile feather formation (from the 14th to the 56th day). The state of the antioxidant system in liver tissues was determined by the coefficient of antioxidant activity, the content of the final products of lipoperoxidation, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of fat-soluble vitamins. The results of the experiment showed that the goslings of the control group during the formation of contour feathers have a decrease in antioxidant activity of the liver by 2.36 times, and juvenile — 1.90 times compared to the initial value of this indicator. Adding oat extract to the diet of geese during feather formation increases the antioxidant activity of their liver. Under the influence of the extract, the physiological stress associated with the formation of contour feathers (28 days) is significantly reduced by reducing the content of the main substrate of lipoperoxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, despite the decrease in the activity of all antioxidant enzymes. Increasing antioxidant activity in the liver during the formation of juvenile feathers is due to the inclusion of alternative mechanisms of antioxidant protection, implemented by increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidants: superoxide dismutase by 29.6 (P≤0.05), catalase by 34.6% (P≤0.05), glutathioperoxidase by 41.2% (P≤0.01), and the content of vitamin E by 32.7% (P≤0.05) and β-carotene by 30.9% (P≤0,05). Under the influence of the extract there is not only a significant increase in the weight of geese at the end of the experiment, but also an improvement in their pterylographic performance. Therefore, in the future, it would be advisable to conduct similar studies on wild bird species in kennels, as the process of feather formation is of fundamental importance for these birds.

Effect of hop cones and vitamin E on ketogenesis and antioxidant status in transition dairy cows

The purpose of the work was the correction rumen fermentation in the transition cows to prevent metabolic disorders. For the experiment, two groups of Ukrainian dairy black-and-white breed cows were formed, 10 animals per group. The experiment lasted 3 weeks prepartum and 3 weeks postpartum. Animals received a balanced diet, which consisted of haylage, silage, barley, wheat, corn, soybean meal, salt, mineral and vitamin premix. The first group was the control. To the diet of second group 300 mg of α-tocopherol acetate (0.6 g of Rovimix E-50) and 1 g/kg of dry hop cones per kg of dry matter was added. Before calving, the tested feed additive reduced the concentration of peroxide oxidation products in the cows blood (P<0.05) without affecting other parameters. Changes that are more significant detected after calving. A decrease in the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides (P<0.05), TBARS (P<0.05), and beta-hydroxybutyrate (P<0.05) were observed in the blood of the cows of the experimental group. Therefore, the addition into diet of transition cows of α-tocopherol and hop cones inhibits the lipid peroxidation and reduces the ketones formation. So, this feed supplement can be used to prevent ketosis and steatosis in cows.

Diagnostic value of integrated immunohematological indices as markers of chronic stress in laying hens

The study of stress in the conditions of industrial technologies of keeping laying hens and determining the level of technological stressors influence on the physiological state of poultry is a necessary condition for the development of new methods of stress prevention in choosing the best ways to keep them. The aim of the study was to determine the informativeness of integrated immunohematological indices for the diagnosis of stress-induced disorders in laying hens under the influence of technological stressors of varying intensity. Chronic technological stress was modeled by long-term keeping of laying hens at high planting density. The intensity of the stressor was determined by increasing the density of laying hens. Integral immunohematological indices were determined on the basis of an extended general blood test. It has been found that in laying hens, which due to prolonged exposure to high density were in a state of chronic stress, there is a high level of endogenous intoxication and impaired immunological reactivity, as evidenced by increased Leukocyte shift index, Immunoreactivity index, Leukocyte to erythrocyte sedimentation rate ratio, lymphocyte to monocyte ratio, heterophil to monocyte ratio. It is shown that under chronic stress in laying hens there is activation of the cellular part of the immune system, active adaptive response of white blood, as well as the predominance of delayed-type reactions over immediate-type hypersensitivity, as indicated decrease in lymphocyte-granulocyte index, general index, lymphocytic index and lymphocyte to eosinophil ratio. Thus, integrated immunohematological indices are promising markers for the diagnosis of chronic stress in laying hens.

Indicators of immunoreactivity in rats under conditions of different nutrition regimen

The research deals with the integral haematological indices such as markers of immunoreactivity and phagocytic activity of neutrophils in animals kept in conditions of a nutrient imbalance. The animals were divided into four experimental groups: I — animals receiving full-value semi-synthetic ration (control group); II — animals receiving low-protein ration (LPR); III — animals receiving high-sucrose diet (HS); IV — animals receiving low-protein/high-sucrose diet (LPR/HS). It has been found that in animals kept in conditions of nutritional protein deficiency there was a disturbance of the specific immune response, as evidenced by a decrease in the immunoreactivity index and an increase in the index of neutrophils and leukocytes ratio. At the same time, no significant changes in the index of blood leukocytes shift and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were found, indicating the preservation of the non-specific immune response activity. However, in animals of this experimental group compensation of endotoxemia and a decrease in the adaptation index were observed, indicating an inhibition of the adaptive mechanisms. Similar changes in the integral haematological indices were observed in animals kept on a high-sucrose ration. It has been shown that animals consuming a low protein/high-sucrose ration have low immunological reactivity, as evidenced by a 3.4-fold decrease in the immunoreactivity index and a 1.5-fold increase in the blood leukocyte shift index, and disturbances in specific immune response (marker is an increase in the neutrophils and lymphocytes ratio), as well as a significant decrease in the phagocytic index, indicating the ineffectiveness of immune reactions involving neutrophils. At the same time, the intensification of the adaptive mechanisms and a three-fold increase in the reactive neutrophil response index indicates the subcompensation stage of endotoxemia. It is concluded that studied integral haematological parameters can be used as additional early diagnostic markers of impaired immunoreactivity and endotoxemia in animals kept in conditions of different protein and sucrose content in the diet.