System of antioxidant protection of the body of piglets under the action of feed additive “Sylimevit”

One of the conditions for obtaining high-quality pig products is the use of feed additives, which contain all the necessary biologically active substances, eliminating their deficiency in feed and acting as catalysts for metabolic processes in pigs. That is why the aim of the study was to study the effect of feed additive “Sylimevit” on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic parts of the antioxidant system of piglets after weaning. Two groups of piglets were formed – control and experimental, in the amount of 10 individuals in each group, selected on the principle of analogues – age, breed and body weight. During the weaning period, the piglets were kept under the sow in special machines, had constant access to the mother, and from the age of 5 days – free access to concentrated feed. Feeding of animals was carried out in accordance with the norms for a given age of pigs. Prior to the study, a clinical and physiological examination of the piglets was performed. Their general condition and activity when eating food were taken into account. On the 28th day of life, the piglets were weaned from the sow and regrouped from different nests in order to be further maintained during the period of fattening and rearing with a change in the structure of the diet, which served as technological stress for the animals. From the age of 5 days, piglets of all groups were fed pre-starter feed. Piglets of the experimental group, from 21 to 40 days of age, were additionally fed the feed supplement “Sylimevit” at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight per day. Feeding piglets Silimevit feed enhances their antioxidant status. The use of this feed additive in piglets contributed to the activation of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic parts of the antioxidant defense system of piglets after weaning, as indicated by an increase in blood 35-day-old piglets superoxide dismutase activity by 26.9 % (P < 0.001), catalase – 41.1 % (P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase – by 52.7 % (P < 0.05), glutathione reductase – by 53.5 % (P < 0.05), the content of reduced glutathione – by 75 % (P < 0.001). This is due to the fact that silimevit contains active substances such as milk thistle and vitamins, which are strong direct-acting antioxidants and directly interact with free radicals and reactive oxygen species.

Comparative characteristics of different methods of treatment of microsporia

Microsporia is the most common disease of fungal etiology, most often caused by the pathogen Microsporum canis. Treatment of this disease requires a comprehensive approach, because the disease is dangerous to humans. Therefore, in the treatment of microspores, it is important not only to carry out therapeutic measures, but also to prevent the spread of the pathogen of the fungus in the environment and increase the immune status of the organism in the fight against infection. The main source of infection is cats. In order to determine the effectiveness of treatment of microsporia by various methods, studied of the blood and skin of guinea pigs infected with the pathogen M. canis. Sick animals were divided into three groups. The first group was treated with the systemic antifungal itraconazole and topical treatment with a solution of clotrimazole. Treatment of the second group was performed with a topical antifungal agent (1% solution of clotrimazole) with vaccination with the antifungal vaccine “Vakderm”. For the third group, the developed drugs were used – antifungal agent “Micromar” and immunostimulant “Biogluk”. During treatment, hematological and immunological blood researches and histological skin examinations were performed. During treatment with antifungal drugs (itraconazole and clotrimazole) the number of leukocytes decreases from 11.13 ± 0.72 to 7.13 ± 0.22, rod-shaped neutrophils from 15.76 ± 1.29 to 5.50 ± 0.76, and segmental increases from 12.17 ± 1.47 to 24.17 ± 2.27, decreases ESR from 5.67 ± 0.67 to 2.33 ± 0.42, which occurs when inhibiting the inflammatory response of the organism to infection. Thrombocytopenia (from 231.17 ± 7.60 to 184.33 ± 7.65) and eosinophilia (from 2.70 ± 0.73 to 7.33 ± 1.33) are also noted. There is a slight increase in T-helpers and a decrease in T-suppressors. Histologically, the infiltration of the dermis by histiocytes and eosinophils under skin persists. In the treatment of microsporia by treatment with 1 % solution of clotrimazole and vaccination with the vaccine “Vakderm” the results of studies showed that the number of leukocytes decreases from 11.13 ± 0.72 to 5.35 ± 0.31 (P < 0.01), rod-shaped neutrophils from 15.76 ± 1.29 to 7.67 ± 0.56, and segmental increases from 12.17 ± 1.47 to 22.17 ± 0.91 (P < 0.001), decreases). The number of T-helpers is increasing. The histological picture on day 7 is characterized by hyperkeratosis, and on day 14 the hyperemia of the basal layer of the epidermis persists. When using the antifungal drug “Micromar” and immunostimulant “Biogluk” the results of studies showed that the number of leukocytes decreases from 11.13 ± 0.72 to 6.95 ± 0.10, rod-shaped neutrophils from 15.76 ± 1.29 to 6.17 ± 0.65, and segmental increases from 12.17 ± 1.47 to 22.00 ± 0.86, decreases ESR from 5.67 ± 0.67 to 2.17 ± 0.31. Increases the number of T-helpers and the number of natural killers and T-suppressors is gradually decreasing. Histological changes are presented in the form of dilation of blood vessels and visualization of single erythrocytes in the dermis on day 14 of treatment.

Territorial pattern between outbreaks of ASF among wild and domestic pigs in Ukraine

The article presents the results of the analysis of the epizootic situation in Ukraine regarding African swine fever among domestic and wild pigs from 2012 to 2020 and identifies the main sources of virus spread as well as weak links in the biological safety system of farms. When studying the statistical material of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection regarding animal morbidity, revealed a territorial pattern between the outbreaks of African swine fever among wild boars and domestic pigs of private farms and pig-breeding complexes, and proved the involvement of the European boar in the epizootic process as a natural reservoir and mobile focus of infection. Calculated the number of outbreaks of African swine fever among wild boars and domestic pigs within the same region and district, and studied the sequence of the emergence of foci on limited territories. Analyzed the natural focality of the disease, the probability of infection transmission to the domestic pig farm sector, and the role of infected objects in the spread of the virus among wild animal populations. From 2012 to 2020 inclusive, according to FAO statistics, 537 cases of African swine fever were recorded in Ukraine, 21.7 % of which were associated with wild boars. In 2017 and 2018, the role of the European wild boar in the epizootic process is best reflected, when 10.9 % (2017) and 20.4 % (2018) of outbreaks of African swine fever among domestic animals recorded in the same administrative districts, where during a year this desiase was detected among wild pigs. When analyzing statistical data of the recent years, the effectiveness of introducing more detailed monitoring of African swine fever among wild boars using modern laboratory methods and improving biosafety measures in the private sector and directly on hunting grounds has been proved. Further research is based on predicting the dynamics of the spread of African swine fever in Ukraine and the role of wild boar in this epizootic process. In addition, the role of wild boar in the spread of African swine fever in other countries and the most effective foreign methods of disease control and prevention will be analyzed.

Overview: prevalence and structure of metabolic diseases of laying chickens, their influence on egg quality and condition of young chickens

The article analyzes and presents statistics on the number of laying hens in Ukraine, production, consumption and import of eggs for the last 5 years, the spread of metabolic diseases of laying hens on the basis of a review of literature sources. Metabolic disorders are the largest group of poultry diseases classified as metabolic diseases and cause significant economic losses. Hepatitis, hepatodystrophy, cirrhosis, liver abscesses, cholecystitis, and gallstone disease are diagnosed in laying hens as a result of impaired carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and mineral metabolism. With a lack or imbalance of calcium and phosphorus or D-hypovitaminosis, in chickens develop diseases such as osteoporosis and hypocalcemia, which reduce egg-laying, quality of hatching eggs and young poultry, and can lead to the death of embryos and adults. Hypovitaminosis (A, D, E) and microelementosis (Co, Cu, Zn, J) in poultry cause decreased immunity, disorders of hormonal system, growth, reproductive functions, egg production, dysfunction of internal organs and nervous system, contribute to the formation of defective eggs, development in embryo of alimentary diseases, which affects the hatchability and quality of young poultry. In view of this, the norms of feeding and keeping poultry are constantly being improved based on an in-depth study of these processes. The subject of this work was a comparative review of the results obtained by various authors on the most common metabolic diseases of laying hens, their impact on productive traits (laying), quality characteristics of eggs, embryogenesis, quality of young laying hens of modern high-yielding crosses. This review of literature sources can serve as a tool for determining the future direction of research, as well as an indicator of its practical application.

Influence of probiоtic additive “Evitalia” on growth and blood indices of quails

The results of the studies on the determination of the optimal dose of the probiotic additive “Evitalia” (PAE) for the quails of the Texas breed have been presented in the article. The experiments were conducted on the quails aged 1–35 days. The object of the research was the probiotic additive “Evitalia” that consisted of eight components (the strains of lactic acidmicroorganisms, macro- and microelements). The subject of the investigation was the influence of PAE on the growth, preservation, the morphological composition and biochemical indices of blood. The studies were carried out in the following conditions of microclimate and sanitary regime: the air temperature in the pens-cages was 16–18 ºC in the autumn and winter period that was 5–7 ºC lower than it was provided by the standard; in spring the temperature was 23–15 ºС that was lower than it was provided by the standard (29–35 ºС). The concentration of carbon dioxide ranged within 0.20–0.25 % (2.0–2.5 l/m3), ammonia – 12–13.4 mg/m3, the general contamination of the air by microflora was 50–60 thousand KOE/m3. The experiments were conducted on the four groups of quails, 60 quails in each group. The quails of the control group were fed by water without PAE, the probiotic at the dose of 7 mg/500 ml of water was given to the quails of the experimental group 1 (E-1), 9 mg of probiotic/500 ml water received the birds of the experimental group 2 (E-2) and the quails of the experimental group 3 (E-3) were given the probiotic at the dose of 11 mg/500 ml water. The positive influence of the probiotic additive “Evitalia” on the growth and the body live weight gain of the quails was observedin the experimental groups as compared to the quails of the control group. The trustworthy increase in the growth and live weight gain of the quails was detected on the 7-, 14-, 21-, 35-day of their life (Р < 0.05), especially in the quails that received PAE at the dose of 9 mg (E-2). The quails of the experimental group 2 exceeded the others by the average daily live weight gains. The growth intensity of the quails in the experimental group 2 was 6.43 % higher than that of the control one, higher by 3.47 % and 5.57 % than in the experimental groups 1 and 3, respectively. The preservation of the quails in the control group was lower by 4.8 – 5.1 % as compared to the quails in the experimental groups. By the data on the growth of the body live weight, the composition and biochemical indices of blood of the quails it can be concluded that the optimal dose of the probioticadditive “Evitalia” is 9 mg/500 ml water that activates hematopoesis and stimulates the growth and development of quails.

Immune status of young pigs different methods of their breeding using means Globigen® Pig Doser and Globigen® Jump Start

The article deals with the influence of the use of means for young pigs Globigen® Pig Doser та Globigen® Jump Start, which due to the content of specific Ig Y have immunostimulatory properties. Assessing the level of nonspecific resistance of piglets, which are based on determining the content of T- and B-lymphocytes and their populations in the blood of animals 30-, 60- and 120-day-old, the trend of increasing the number of T-helpers, T-natural killers and B-lymphocytes in the experimental groups of animals of both farms. It was found that the content of T-helpers during single-phase rearing of pigs became more important under the action of Globigen® Pig Doser and ranged from 30.16−35.15 %, and during three-phase rearing – under the action of Globigen® Jump Start 34.58−35.08 %. An increase in the content of B-lymphocytes to the level of physiological norm was noted: FE PE “Glynjany Agro” (single-phase cultivation) in the first experimental group 16.75–19.45 %, in the second 17.66–21.11 %. At Ltd. “Meat Resources” (three-phase cultivation) 17.7–21.02 % and 18.91–21.01 %, respectively, in the first and second experimental groups. Regarding the indicators of the content of T-natural killers, there is a tendency to increase their number in the blood of animals of experimental groups by an average of 4.90 % for single-phase rearing and 3.09 % for three-phase rearing of pigs. Such data give grounds to claim that there is a formation of the immune response to the action of pathogens, which plays an important role in maintaining the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, which in turn reduces mortality and increases the average daily gain of young pigs. Under the action of immunostimulants, the safety of piglets in FE PE “Glynjany Agro” (single-phase rearing) at 30 days of age increased to 81.3−93.7 %, and in Ltd. “Meat Resources” (three-phase rearing) to 80.0−86.7 %. In piglets FE PE “Glynjany Agro”, up to 120 days of age, the average daily gain was 0.710 and 0.691 kg using Globigen® Pig Doser and Globigen® Jump Start, and in piglets from Ltd. “Meat Resources” these figures were 0.595 and 0.628 kg.

Protein-synthesizing, bile-forming, urea-forming and carbohydrate functions in cows with fatty degeneration of the liver

In dairy farms of Ukraine, where highly productive dairy cows are kept, liver lesions are often diagnosed in the postpartum period. Postmortem studies of the liver of cows that were forcibly slaughtered showed that in mostly animals were diagnosed with fatty degeneration of the liver. The main causes of fatty hepatosis were violations of the structure of rations, imbalance of feeding on essential nutrients and biologically active substances, low content of easily digestible carbohydrates and high protein content. The study was performed on cows aged 4–5 years with productivity for the previous lactation of 5.600–7.500 L of milk, in a winter-stall period of keeping, 2–3 weeks after calving. According to clinical and biochemical blood tests, two groups of cows were formed – 50 clinically healthy and 50 cows with fatty liver disease. In cows diagnosed with fatty liver degeneration, the disease was manifested by decreased productivity and fatness, loss of appetite, oppression, hypotony of the rumen, reticulum and omasum. In some cows, there was pain at the liver area, increasing boundaries of hepatic dullness, jaundice of the visible mucous membranes and sclera. The blood serum of all cows with fatty liver disease established a decrease in albumin content, indicating impaired protein synthesis function of the liver. In some cows, the content of total protein in the serum increased due to globulin fractions, mainly gamma globulins. The ratio between the content of albumins and globulins decreased, which indicates the development in the blood of sick animals dysproteinemia. The development of fatty infiltration of the liver caused an increase in the concentration of bile acids in the serum of all sick cows. This is due to reduced conjugation and excretion of cholates by affected hepatocytes from the bile capillaries. The formation, absorption, conjugation, and excretion of bilirubin in the bile is disturbed, which causes the accumulation of total and conjugated bilirubin in the serum of sick animals. The cholesterol content in the blood of cows decreased, caused a violation of the esterification of its esters by hepatocytes. The established changes in the content of bile acids, total and conjugated bilirubin, and cholesterol in the blood of sick cows indicate a violation of bile secretion, bile production, and cholestasis development. In some cows with fatty liver degeneration, urea formation function and carbohydrate function are impaired, leading to a decrease in blood urea content and glucose.

Treatment of postoperative wounds using pectin-based reinforced dressings and their antimicrobial activity

A reinforced pectin-based dressing with a reinforcing element containing the antimicrobial agent chlorhexidine bigluconate has been developed. In vitro studies have shown that the hydrogel pectin dressing containing 0.03 ÷ 1.5 % chlorhexidine bigluconate inhibits the growth of both gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (P. aeruginosa) bacteria. The dressing can be used in the complex treatment of postoperative wounds with infectious-inflammatory process. The efficacy of different doses of chlorhexidine bigluconate was characterized by growth inhibition and increase of microorganism-free areas on the culture medium around the site of dressing localization, and regardless of the type of bacteria. Bacterial growth inhibition radius size depends on the dose of chlorhexidine in the hydrogel pectin dressing. The inhibition of growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa is directly proportional to chlorhexidine bigluconate content. The increase of dressing saturation with chlorhexidine to 1.0 and 1.5 % recorded the maximum inhibition of the growth of microorganisms. A veterinary clinical trial has shown a good therapeutic effect in the wound healing, in particular in the complex treatment of postoperative and accidental wounds both in the presence of infectious-inflammatory process and in its absence. The reinforced pectin-based dressing with cotton (or polypropylene) reinforcement element containing chlorhexidine bigluconate reduces the cost of dressings and bandaging frequency during wound healing. It protects the wound surface from contamination, mechanical irritation, bacterial contamination and the development of secondary infection. The dressing promotes good water, air and heat exchange between the wound and the environment, adsorbs excess exudate, maintains a moist environment and does not cause hyperosmotic damage and drying of the wound. Surgical wound healing occurred under the initial tension for 7 days. Considering the method of its application, this dressing is suitable for use on different parts of the animal's body (neck, withers, chest and abdomen, lower back, buttocks, thighs, shoulders, etc.).

Bacterial contamination of chicken food egg with automated and manual sorting and packaging

Chicken eggs are a staple food for humans and are consumed all over the world. Chicken eggs have a leading position among food products in terms of nutritional value and taste. During storage, under the influence of air oxygen and microorganisms, eggs deteriorate, contamination of opportunistic and pathogenic microflora increases. Purpose: analysis of the results of bacteriological studies of eggs of various producers during automatic and manual sorting and packaging from the trading network in Sumy and the Sumy region in accordance with DSTU 5028:2008 “Edible hen eggs. Specifications” and Microbiological Criteria for Establishing Food Safety Indicators. Materials and methods. Bacteriological studies of shell washings and egg contents were carried out according to standard methods. Samples of edible chicken eggs with automatic and manual sorting and packaging corresponded to DSTU 5028:2008, Microbiological criteria for establishing food safety indicators and BIE No. 5061-89. Pathogenic and opportunistic pathogens of bacterial diseases were not isolated from the surface of eggs of the control group during automated sorting and packing, spore bacteria of the genus Bacillus (Bacillus subtilis) were isolated. In washes from the egg shell surface with manual sorting and packaging, Streptococcus spp was found – 12 % of the number of samples examined, E. faecalis – 34 %, P. aeruginosa – 11 %, and spore bacteria of the genus Bacillus (B. subtilis) – 43 %. The number of QMA&OAMO and CGB (coli-forms) in both groups corresponded to the established norms, but the QMA&OAMO indicator in the products of enterprises with manual collection and packaging was 34 % higher compared to eggs from enterprises with automated sorting and packaging. Automation of the process of sorting and packing eggs provides the best microbiological indicators of the safety of edible hen eggs in comparison with those when using manual labor during sorting and packing. A complete transition to the automation of production processes for the production of edible eggs in Ukraine is required.

The peculiarities of hormonal background in boars under correction of reproductive capacity by gadolinium orthovanadate nanoparticles

Determination of the influence of redox nanomaterials on the body of males is of great interest to researchers, because the basis of the pathogenesis of male infertility is oxidative stress. A necessary condition in the development of such drugs is the absence of toxic effects on sexual function. It has been proved that nanomaterials based on oxides of rare earth elements have a positive effect on reproductive capacity and, at the same time, they are not gonadotoxic. A comprehensive approach is of particular importance in order to justify their use as a means of reproductive capacity correction. Taking into account the toxicity parameters the mechanisms of their action need to be studied at the biochemical, morphological and clinical levels. The positive effect of gadolinium orthovanadate nanoparticles on the quality of boar sperm (especially in terms of motility and the number of motile sperm in the ejaculate) with an effective reduction of the oxidative load on the body have been shown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of these nanoparticles on the hormonal background of males with a decreased reproductive capacity under oxidative stress. Thus, the administration of hydrosol of gadolinium orthovanadate nanoparticles for 14 days revealed a normalization of sex hormones – an increase in total testosterone, in particular, on the 15th day of the study – by 22.6 % (P ˂ 0.01), and on the 30th day – by 77.4 % (P ˂ 0.001) compared with the group of animals before the administration. There was a decrease in the level of 17β-estradiol on the 30th day – by 25.0 % (P ˂ 0.01), which almost reached the values of the control group. A decrease in the content of globulin testosterone-estradiol-binding in boars of the experimental group, in particular, on the 15th day of the experiment – by 13.0 % (P ˂ 0.05), and on the 30th day – by 26.8 % (P ˂ 0.001) was determined, which, in turn, led to an increase in androgen saturation of the animal body – the index of free androgens at the end of the study was 43.2 %. The results are explained by the properties of the nanoparticles. Correcting oxidative stress, they increase the antioxidant potential, thereby normalizing the activity of endocrine glands and ways of regulating the germ-endocrine function of the gonads. The prospect of further research is to elucidate the effect of the correction of decreased reproductive capacity in boars under oxidative stress by nanoparticles of oxides of rare earth elements on the morphological state of the gonads.