Clinical-biochemical status of hens due to changes of battery cages height location

In the conditions of industrial poultry farming, the body of hens is constantly exposed to numerous technological stressors, the least studied of which are long-term ones, that can provoke chronic stress. One such technological stressor is an increase in the level of cage equipment, which is used by producers to obtain a larger amount of products from 1 m2 of poultry area. The aim of this work was to study the physiological state of the hen’s body based on the clinical biochemical analysis of their blood serum, depending on the battery cages height. In the conditions of a modern complex for the production of edible eggs in a poultry house with an area of 2 915 m2, 4 groups of hens were formed, each of them was kept on a separate floor-analogue in terms of area and cage equipment. Each floor was equipped with «Big Dutchman» 3-tier battery cages. Battery cages of each floor were separated from each other by a lattice floor so that cages of 1–3 tiers entered up to the 1st floor, 4–6 tiers – up to the 2nd, 7–9 tiers – up to the 3rd, and 10–12 tiers – up to 4th floor of cage equipment. Biochemical parameters and activity of hens blood serum enzymes were determined on a BioChem FC-360 biochemical analyzer. For this, 30 blood samples with a volume of 1.0–1.5 ml were taken from axillary veins of laying hens in each group at the age of 18 weeks (at the beginning of the study) and at 52 weeks. It was found that increasing the layering of cage equipment does not have a negative impact on the hen’s body. So, for keeping hens in cages of multi-tier battery cages located on floors 2–4 (4–12 tiers), the biochemical status and activity of their blood serum enzymes were within the physiological norm. Whereas, for hens kept in battery cages of the a multi-tiered system on the 1st floor there was an increase in glucose levels of 60.5–71.0%, creatinine – by 9.7–12.3%, phosphorus – 82.6–100.0%, was observed a decrease in calcium to phosphorus ratio 46.7–50.0%, which was confirmed by an increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase by 22.3–27.0%, as well as an increase in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase by 3.2–13.8%, lactate dehydrogenase - by 48.5–65.1% and gamma-glutamyl transferase – by 16.4–20.6%. It has been proven that the main consequences of chronic stress caused by keeping hens in the lower floor cells of the multi-tiered battery cage are reflected in the biochemical parameters of their serum, namely increased glucose, creatinine, enzyme activity and violation of calcium to phosphorus ratio.

Cytomorphological changes of a cat’s cadaver’s parenchymal organs in the early postmortem period in the forensic veterinary examination aspect

The cytomorphological changes of a cat’s cadaver’s parenchymal organs in the early postmortem period in the aspect of forensic veterinary examination are established in the work. The aim of the work is to clarify the processes of necrobiosis at the cellular level under aerobic environment in the first day after the death of the animal as a cytomorphological criterion in terms of forensic veterinary examination in deciding the age of death in the early postmortem period. It is proved that the most dynamic cytomorphological changes are found in the spleen and pancreas tissue; cytoarchitectonics of liver, lung and heart tissue changes less intensively. Intense cytomorphological changes in kidney tissue and brain were not observed. It was found that parenchymal organs samples cytological research after the first day of the postmortem period to determine the cells histological topography is impossible. It was found that the cytoarchitectonics dynamics of kidney and brain tissue is uninformative to solve the problems of forensic veterinary examination, but the necrobiosis of liver, lung and heart cells is moderately informative. High informativeness of cytomorphological picture change in spleen and pancreas tissue has been established, as the intensity of cytomorphological changes dynamics and their informativeness to solve the question of the age of death are directly correlated. It is recommended to use the cytological rapid method as an additional in the practice of forensic veterinary examination to address the issue of animal death age in terms of its non-obviousness before the appearance of late cadaveric phenomena.

The morphological changes relationship in the small intestine mucous membrane with the dynamics of the enterocyte’s membranes polypeptide composition in cattle during the fetal period of their ontogenesis

The article presents current data on the relationship of morphological changes in the jejenum intestine mucous membrane with the dynamics of the polypeptide composition in the cattle enterocytes membranes during the fetal period of ontogenesis. The study was carried out on 80 fetuses of Holstein cattle, aged 2–9 months, with a body weight of 0.6–39 kg. It was found that during the fetal period of ontogenesis, structural transformations took place in the jejunal mucous membrane of cattle, characterized by intense morphofunctional changes in its structural components. The polypeptide composition of the jejunal enterocytes plasma membrane in cattle during the fetal period of ontogenesis was determined, in particular, in the apical and basolateral membranes, respectively, 27 and 25 protein fractions with a molecular weight of 9.6–14.2 kDa to 300 kDa were found, respectively. With the help of the correlation analysis for the received data, reliable interconnections of morphological changes in the jejunal mucous layer with the dynamics of the polypeptide composition of the cattle enterocyte’s membranes during the fetal period of ontogenesis were obtained. It has been proven that the thickness of the intestinal wall with villi and the mucous membrane with villi is directly related to the content of proteins with a molecular weight of 250 kDa and 155 kDa on the apical domain of enterocytes (P ≤ 0.01–0.001). The height of the villi is associated only with the content of polypeptides with a molecular weight of 250 kDa and 155 kDa (P ≤ 0.05–001) in the apical membrane and is inversely related to the content of polypeptides with a molecular weight of 9.6–14.2 kDa, 21 kDa, 22.5 kDa, 26 kDa, 33 kDa, 35 kDa, 170–185 kDa (P ≤ 0.01–0.001). The width of the villi is related to the content on the apical membrane of proteins with a molecular weight of 170–185 kDa and 21 kDa (P ≤ 0.05–0.01). The thickness of the intestinal wall with villi and mucous membrane with villi is associated with the content of proteins with molecular weights 155 kDa, 100 kDa, 87 kDa, 66 kDa, 52 kDa) and 43 kDa (P ≤ 0.05–0.001) on the basolateral domain of enterocytes and inversely dependent on the content of polypeptides with molecular weights of 19 kDa, 21 kDa and 31 kDa (P ≤ 0.05). The height of enterocyte villi is directly related to the content of polypeptides with a molecular weight of 155 kDa and 52 kDa (P ≤ 0,05–0,01) in the basolateral membrane and is inversely dependent on the content of polypeptides with a molecular weight of 24 kDa, 22.5 kDa and 17 kDa (P ≤ 0.05–0.001). The width of the villi of enterocytes is reliably inversely related only to the content of proteins with a molecular weight of 155 kDa on the basolateral membrane (P ≤ 0.05).

The effect of humic substances on carbohydrate metabolism in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats

The article presents study results of the effect of humic nature biologically active additive «Humilid» on carbohydrate metabolism, namely on glucose, insulin and C-peptide in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The purpose of the experiment was to investigate how “Humilid” affects carbohydrate metabolism in rats; to study and analyze the effect of the humic nature biologically active substance «Humilid» on metabolic processes. In the work we used biochemical methods for studying the blood of experimental rats. Adult male white rats were taken for the experiment, from which four groups were formed. The experiment lasted three weeks, during which the animals from the first experimental group received daily in addition to the main feed an aqueous solution of feed additive «Humilid» at dose 5 mg / kg of body weight of the active substance, and had free access to water. Rats of the second and third groups were injected with alloxan as a single intraperitoneal injection. The rats of the third group additionally received an aqueous solution of feed additive «Humilid». It was identified that “Humilid” has an antioxidant activity, which may be one of the mechanisms of its antidiabetic action, as it is known that alloxan causes free radical damage to β-cells with weak antioxidant protection. The use of a biologically active feed additive of humic nature was found to have a hypoglycemic effect in both healthy animals as well as in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. It was found that the use of “Humilid” in rats enhances energy processes in their bodies of experimental animals. There was a decrease in glucose content in rats from second group by 11.9% (P ≤ 0.001) compared with the control one. At the same time, the glucose content in animals from third and fourth groups was higher by 35.9% (P ≤ 0.001) and 20% (P ≤ 0.001) higher than in animals from the control one. The insulin concentration in the blood of rats from the second group was 7.4% higher (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the animals from first group. The concentration of C-peptide was within the reference values. The levels of insulin and C-peptide concentration in animals of the third and groups were lower by 47.8% (P ≤ 0.001) and 32.4% (P ≤ 0.001) and 55.5% (P ≤ 0.001) and 37.5% (P ≤ 0.001) in comparison with animals of first group. A pronounced hypoglycemic effect, which was due to an increase in the sensitivity of tissues to glucoregulatory hormones and an increase in the body’s tolerance to excessive intake of carbohydrates. The obtained results of the study indicate the regulatory effect of humic feed additive «Humilid» on key links in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, which is characterized by the decrease in blood glucose level due to activation of the synthesis and secretion of insulin and C-peptide.

Changes in the physicochemical properties of whey and cottage cheese produced from the milk of Ukrainian black-and-white dairy cows with different genotypes of kappa-casein during storage

The article presents experimental materials on the study of changes in the whey and cottage cheese physicochemical properties which are made from the milk of Ukrainian black-and-white dairy cows with different kappa-casein genotypes during storage. The experimental part of the work was carried out in the conditions of a pedigree plant for breeding Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed of the «Profintern» unit of the State Enterprise «Gontarivka» in the Institute of Animal Science of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences (NAAS). Based on the analysis results of the chemical composition, there were no significant differences between the groups for most indicators during storage in the period from the first to the 15th day, although in absolute values they can be placed in the following order: cottage cheese made from milk of cows with the BB genotype, AB and AA. It was found that the concentration of active acidity, similar to most quality indicators of cottage cheese, was determined at the beginning of storage by a higher value in cows with genotype BB by 0.9 and 0.5% compared to animals with genotypes AA and AB. With the extension of the shelf life, the rate of acid formation tended to decrease and on the 15-th day was 3.8–3.1%, compared the initial values. In contrast, the difference between the samples from the representatives with the BB and AA genotype in terms of the activity of hydrogen ions during this period was 1.6% and the AB genotype – 0.9%. Despite the fact that the duration of storage had a negative effect on the hydrogen ions’ concentration in cottage cheese, made from cow’s milk with different genotypes of kappa-casein, its moisture-retaining properties, on the contrary, have improved. It was found that cottage cheese and whey, regardless of the cows’ genotype at the kappa-casein locus, during storage have a relatively stable composition and meet the requirements of the current DSTU. The recommended shelf life is 15 days. The best combination of the studied parameters in the production of BB genotype cows reflects the higher course of metabolic processes in the body, which led to an improvement in its quality.

Functional zones of Peyer’s patch (PPs) in rabbits’ caecum

A feature of rabbit gut-associated lymphoid tissue is that its structure is more developed than in other animal species. In rabbits it is composed of sacculus rotundus, vermiform appendix and Peyer’s patches. These immune formations contain an organized component of lymphoid tissue – lymphoid nodules (B-cell zone) and interfollicular region (T-cell). Secondary lymphoid nodules with germinal centers presented in them are formed due to antigen stimulation. The caecum of Hyplus rabbits at the age of 30 -, 60 - and 90-days was investigated. Each age group consisted of 5 rabbits. Experimental rabbits are clinically healthy, unvaccinated and untreated against ecto- and endoparasites. Peyer’s patches of the caecum were selected for the study and fixed in 10% of formalin. Subsequently, the specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin were prepared from the obtained samples. On the 30th day of life, Peyer’s patches in the cecum were detected by gross examination. On the histological level, they had formed interfollicular region and lymphoid nodules. In turn, lymphoid nodules were divided into primary and secondary ones. A well-defined mantle zone and germinal centers were observed in the secondary lymphoid nodules. The regularities of their area indicators increase (mean value, median and interquartile range (IQR)) and their correlation were studied. The most intensive growth of the mantle area and the germinal center was observed from the 30th to the 60th day. The relative area of the mantle zone and the germinal center as part of the secondary lymphoid nodule was determined. Its value did not change during the experimental period.

Analysis of the death causes in sturgeon fish on a farming environment

Artificial breeding of sturgeon fish ensures the preservation of the species as a component of the organic world system, restoration of the population and obtaining a high-quality and valuable fish product. The fact of a significant number death of Siberian (Lena) sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) raised on a farm (Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine) was investigated. A complex of hydrochemical, ichthyological, hydrobiological, mycological and microbiological research methods was used. It was found that due to the violation of the technological conditions for keeping sturgeon fish in the enterprise, there were changes in their behavior, peculiarities in movement, loss of appetite with the death of a significant number of fish. An increase in water temperature by two degrees, technical work nearby the pools led to a deterioration in water quality, a change in the behaviour of fish and its death. This case is an example of the lack of education in employees from enterprise, the economy of the owner’s funds: the norms for planting fish of the third and fourth years of life have been violated. No infectious diseases were found in the fish pools. As a result of this work, recommendations were made on the conditions of keeping sturgeons, maintaining the water quality at the proper level, using various types of feed and vitamins to restore the physiological state of animals and to prevent the occurrence of such situations in the future.

Use of mixed ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt in feeding highly productive cows during the late dry period

The results of establishing the optimal feeding doses of Zinc, Manganese, and Cobalt in the form of their mixed-ligand complexes for high-yielding cows of Holstein, Ukrainian Red-Spotted and Ukrainian Black-Spotted dairy breeds during the late dry period were presented, their influence on the future productivity and reproductive qualities of cows were also determined. It was found that lower doses of mixed-ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese, and Cobalt in the feed mixture stimulated its consumption better. The cows of the 4th experimental group consumed more of the feed mixture, where the concentration of Zinc and Manganese was 35 mg, and Cobalt – 0.49 mg per 1 kg of DM. At various doses of mixed-ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese, and Cobalt, the increase in live weight in cows of the control group was 24.3 kg, and in the experimental groups, it ranged from 23.7 kg to 26.9 kg, which is 8.6% and 10.7% (P < 0,05) more in the 3rd and 4th groups compared with the control. A decrease in the concentration of mixed-ligand complexes of Zinc, Manganese, and Cobalt in the diets of dry cows in the experimental groups by 10, 20, 30 and 40% had a positive effect on their further milk productivity. During the first 100 days of lactation, they milked 60-180 kg of milk more compared to the control with an increase in fat content by 0.01–0.05%. Also, in the milk of experimental group’s cows, compared with the control, the protein content increased (3.22–3.23% versus 3.14%), and the feed costs per 1 kg of milk in them were lower by 3.5–9.4%. Smaller doses of zinc, manganese, and cobalt contributed better to lengthening the period of prolonged action of their mixed-ligand complexes on the body of lactating cows. The calves’ live weight at the birth in the 4th experimental group exceeded the indicator of their peers from the control group by 2.3 kg or 8.81%, while the calves obtained from cows of the 2nd experimental group prevailed the control by 1.6 kg, or 6, 13 %, from the 3rd experimental group – by 1.8 kg, or 6.90%, and the 4th experimental group – by 1.7 kg, or 6.51%. The duration of the service period in all experimental groups of cows was within the recommended norms and was 87.8 days in the control group, and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th experimental groups, respectively 84.7 days, 82.2; 80.6 and 83.5 days, respectively, and there was less in control by 3.1–7.1 days or 3.3–8.2%. The insemination index in the cows’ control group was 1.5, and in the experimental one – 1.2–1.4, which is 6.7–20.0% less.

Limiting factors of cows’ productive longevity on the industrial complex

The research was carried out in the conditions of a large industrial complex ‟Agro-Soyuz” of the Dnipropetrovsk region for the production of the milk from Holstein cows. It has been established that due to ineffective management decisions in the industrial complex, animals leave the herd annually because of metabolic disorders and operational risks with certain dynamics depending on age. It was found that the stimulation of lactogenic function in cows with an increased rate of concentrated feed causes some metabolic disorders, which account for 30.4% of the total number of non-infectious diseases and animals retirement from the herd. It is characteristic that metabolic disorders are observed almost to the same extent in first-calf heifers and in older lactation cows. At the same time, the displacement of the abomasum in animals of the third and fourth lactations under the conditions of an industrial complex was not observed, and depletion of the body (cachexia) was characteristic of first-calf heifers, which among metabolic disorders occupied 33.3%. Cows of the fourth lactation did not suffer from enteritis. Because of adipose tissue purulent inflammation (phlegmon), an average of 5.92% of cows were eliminated from the herd. As the animals age, there was an increase in extremities disease and a decrease in the incidence of hypogalactia. It has been proven that first-calf heifers were more sensitive to mastitis of the udder than older animals. Young cows left the herd due to mastitis at the level of 17.16%, while for hypogalactia - only 7.5%. Through exploitation risks, an average of 27.04% of animals are leaving the herd annually, and this indicator grows with age: if the first-heifers are leaving at the level of 23.13%, then the cows of the second lactation were culled at the level of 28.57%, the third and fourth – respectively 30.56 and 29.41%.

Metabolism state in laboratory rats when using amaranth oil and Humilid

The search for new natural non-toxic biologically active substances for animals used to correct and stimulate metabolic processes, and through it the ability to control the growth and animals’ productivity, the state of their natural resistance is the main task of the present. The paper presents study results on the effect of cold-pressed amaranth oil and biologically active additive of humic nature «Humilid» when used simultaneously on the general body condition, growth indicators of laboratory rats, morphofunctional and biochemical parameters of their blood. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: – to investigate how cold-pressed amaranth oil affects the metabolic processes in the body of laboratory rats; – to conduct research and analyze the effect of the cold-pressed amaranth oil and a humic nature biologically active substance «Humilid» simultaneous use on the indicators of their homeostasis. To accomplish the tasks, the following research methods were used: physiological, morpho-functional, and blood biochemical analysis in experimental laboratory rats. Sexually mature male white rats of 2 months age were used in the experiment. For the study, three groups of animals were formed. The experiment lasted four weeks, during which the animals of the first experimental group received daily, in addition to the main feed settled amaranth oil in the amount of 0.1 ml per rat, and free access to the drinking water. Rats of the second experimental group in addition to the main feed received settled amaranth oil in the amount of 0.1 ml, and free access to the drinking of 0.005% solution Humilid. It was found that the simultaneous use of cold-pressed amaranth oil and Humilid in laboratory rats had a positive effect on the state of erythron, erythrocytes count increased by an average of 28% (P < 0.001), hemoglobin concentration by 10% (P < 0.05). At the same time in animals the biosynthetic function of the liver improved, the total protein content in the blood significantly increased by 10% (P < 0.05), and the amount of albumin by 25% (P < 0.01). Energy processes in the body of experimental animals were increased, that pointed a decrease in blood glucose levels by 22% (P < 0.05). The obtained data obtained indicates that the simultaneous use of amaranth oil and Humilid had a positive effect on the state of homeostasis and metabolic processes in the body of laboratory rats. Thus for them synergistic action is noted.