Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

The fairy shrimp is a freshwater crustacean found in both temporary and permanent freshwaters. In Thailand, fairy shrimp are farmed as live food for ornamental fish. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial compositions in two fairy shrimp species, Branchinella thailandensis and Streptocephalus sirindhornae. Both species were cultured, and total DNA was extracted. The V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina Miseq. All data were analyzed by Illumina 16S Metagenomics (version 1.0.1) workflow in Base Space- Illumina. Each read was blasted against the Illumina-curated version of the Greengenes database to determine the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) corresponding to the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The results showed that the Shanon-Weiner diversity index of bacterial compositions in B. thailandensis and S. sirindhornae were 2.135 and 3.122, respectively. The evenness and genus-level richness of the bacterial composition in B. thailandensis were 0.364 and 354 genera, respectively. The dominant bacterium found in B. thailandensis was Nevskia. In S. sirindhornae, the evenness and genus-level richness of the bacterial composition were 0.521 and 400 genera, respectively. Azohydromonas was the dominant bacterium. Our results showed that the compositions and proportions of bacterial communities were specific to each species of fairy shrimp. This study will be useful for further experiments in aquaculture and ecological studies related to symbiotic interaction.

Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) are antimicrobial- -resistant Enterobacteriaceae important in the livestock production sector, especially dairy cows because these antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can be transferred to consumers via consumption. If antimicrobials are continually used in dairy farms, this may result in antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, investigation of antimicrobial resistance and finding new alternative methods for inhibiting ESBL-producing E. coli is essential. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the ability of selected antimicrobials to inhibit E. coli ATCC 25922, control bacteria and ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from dairy farms. We also investigated the capacity of polyphenol extract from 10 varieties of medicinal plants to inhibit ESBL-producing E. coli using a broth microdilution method. It was found that control bacteria were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents, i.e., ampicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, imipenem, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. However, ESBL-producing E. coli exhibited both susceptibility and resistance to selected antimicrobials. The polyphenol extracted from Psidium guajava Linn at the lowest concentration was 4.5 mg/mL, which could inhibit control bacteria, but at the same concentration could not inhibit ESBL-producing E. coli. These phenomena indicated that ESBL-producing E. coli had both susceptibility and resistance to antimicrobials. Polyphenol, which could inhibit non-resistant E. coli, could not inhibit ESBL-producing E. coli.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture in acute and chronic phases of radial and ulnar nerve injuries in histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical aspects. In the study, the rabbits were divided into four groups namely acute nerve injury (ANI) group, chronic nerve injury (CNI) group, positive control (PC) group and negative control (NC) group. In the ANI, CNI and PC groups, damage was created on the nervus radialis and nervus ulnaris by applying pressure for 60 seconds using a hemostatic forceps under anesthesia. No damage was created in the NC group. Fifteen sessions of electroacupuncture were applied to the rabbits in the ANI, CNI, and NC groups every other day using LI-4 (Large Intestine Meridian-4, He Gu), LI-10 (Large Intestine Meridian-10, Shou San Li), LR-3 (Liver Meridian-3, Tai Chong), and ST-36 (Stomach Meridian-36, Zusanli) electroacupuncture points. Electroacupuncture was not applied to the rabbits in the PC group. Decapitation was performed under general anesthesia at the end of electroacupuncture applications. After the euthanasia procedure, the samples obtained were evaluated for histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, degenerative foci in the treatment groups were found to be fewer than in the PC group whereas NGF and S-100 immunoreactivity were higher in the treatment groups than in the PC group. Whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the treatment groups and the NC group in terms of oxidative stress factors, there was a statistically significant difference between the treatment groups and the PC group. In light of all these data, we have concluded that electroacupuncture is an effective treatment method for peripheral nerve injuries.

This study was carried out to determine the time-dependent changes in the ultrasonographic image of the ovary with computer-assisted analysis programs at certain intervals after ovulation and to determine whether computer-assisted analysis programs and ovulation programs can be managed in cases where the ovulation time is unknown. The study included 40 purebred Arab mares. The study was subdivided into 4 different time periods of 6 (Group 1), 12 (Group 2), 18 (Group 3) and 24 (Group 4) hours following ovulation. In addition, after ovulation and ultrasonographic examination, natural insemination was performed at 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours, and pregnancy examination and follow-up were performed at 15-30-45 days. In the echotexture analysis, mean grayness value (MGV) and contrast (CON) measurements were at different levels according to the time groups (p<0.001). Homogeneity (HOM) measurements were at different levels according to the time groups (p<0.001). A very strong, significant negative correlation was determined between MGV and pregnancy rates (r=-0.91, p=0.01, p<0.05). No significant relationship was observed between HOM values and pregnancy rates (r=0.19, p=0.23, p>0.05). A very strong, significant negative correlation was determined between CON and pregnancy rates (r=-0.92, p=0.01, p<0.05). It was concluded that the use of ultrasonographic echotexture in mares after ovulation provided very important information. In cases where the time of ovulation was not known, by looking at the values of echotexture parameters, it was seen that the highest pregnancy rates were at the 6th hour and the lowest pregnancy rates were at the 24th hour. As the echotexture parameters MGV and CON increased, it was determined that pregnancy rates decreased, but there was no relationship between them and the HOM value.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of feed supplements with alfa-amylase and beta-glucanase (Optipartum C+ 200) on ingestive-related behaviour biomarkers registered with real-time sensors: rumination behaviours and reticulorumen parameters (pH and temperature). Cows (n=20) in the treatment group (TG) were fed with Optipartum C+ 200 (Enzymes feed supplement: Alfa-Amylase 57 Units; Beta-Glucanase 107 Units) from 21 days before calving until 30 days after calving with a feeding rate of 200 g/cow/day. Cows (n=22) in the control group (CG) were fed a feed ration without feed supplement. Measurements started from 6 days before calving and continued until 21 days after calving. The following indicators were registered: with the RumiWatch System: Rumination time; Eating time; Drinking time; Rumination chews; Eating chews; Drinking gulps; Bolus; Chews per minute; Chews per bolus. With the SmaXtec system: the temperature, pH of the contents of the cows’ reticulorumens, and cows’ walking activity.
According to our results, feed supplementation with alfa-amylase and beta-glucanase (Optipartum C+ 200) in the TG group resulted in increases in the following parameters: 9% rumination time and eating time, 19% drinking time, 11% rumination chews, 16% eating chews, 13% number of boluses per rumination, 5% chews per minute and 16% chews per bolus. The rumination time showed a strong, positive relation with rumination chews and bolus indicators in both groups (TG and CG) (p<0.001); while the rumination time in both groups of cows showed an opposite direction and was negatively related to eating time and eating chews (p<0.05).
We found a 1.28 % lower reticulorumen pH and a 0.64 % lower reticulorumen temperature in cows fed with the supplement compared with cows in the control group. Cows in TG were 8.80% more active than those in the CG group. For improvement of ingestive-related behaviour we suggest adding a feed supplement with alfa-amylase and beta-glucanase (Optipartum C+ 200).

With the improvement of people’s living standards and rapid economic development, the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing in most parts of the world. DM presents an important potential threat to human health. In the present study, a model of diabetes in female mice was established, and fasting blood glucose was detected at week 4, after which the biochemical profiles were evaluated by histopathological analysis. The success rate of modeling in the normal control (NC) group and the low/ middle/high-dose streptozotocin (STZ) group were 0, 0, 25% and 60%, respectively. In the middle-dose and high-dose STZ groups, the liver index was increased significantly compared with the NC group (p<0.05). The blood biochemical indicators of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in three STZ injection groups were as follows: alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase in middle- and high-dose STZ groups, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum creatinine in the high-dose STZ group, and blood urea nitrogen in the middle-dose STZ group were significantly increased (p<0.05). The level of total triglycerides was lower, obviously, in the high-dose STZ group than in the NC group (p<0.05). The mice showed marked steatosis, green-dyed fiber tissue coloring in varying degrees, and the contour of the hepatic lobules basically disappeared in STZ injection groups. The results suggest that to establish a diabetes model for female ICR mice, the optimum dose of STZ is 100 mg/kg.

In this study, the effects of isoxsuprine hydrochloride applied 14 and 15 days after insemination in Anatolian Merino Sheep on lamb yield and some blood parameters were investigated. The research was conducted during the breeding season and 54 ewes inseminated on the same day were used. The ewes were assigned to three groups. Group I: For the placebo effect, physiological saline was injected on the 14th day into half of the control group and on the 15th day into the other half after insemination (n=18). Group II: Tocolytic drug was injected on the 14th day after insemination (n=18). Grop III: Tocolytic drug was injected on the 15th day after insemination (n=18). As the tocolytic drug, isoxsuprine hydrochloride (HCl) 3 ml (Utelax, Sanovel, Türki̇ye) was used intramuscularly. The number of pregnant and viviparous ewes, single and multiple birth ewes, lambs per viviparous ewes were determined as reproductive parameters. Blood progesterone, cortisol and calcium concentration were determined. As a result, it was determined that the single application of isoxsuprine hydrochloride (3 ml) in the implantation period did not have a positive or negative effect on reproductive parameters, and did not change the blood progesterone, calcium and cortisol concentration in ewes.

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis, that can still be classified as endemic despite its ancient origins which causes economic losses and public health problems. Although effectively controlled by vaccination in animals, there is currently no vaccine for use in humans. Outer Membrane Proteins (OMP) that play an active immunogenic and protective role in the Brucellae family. OMP19 is present in all Brucella species as a surface antigen and is a potent immunogen responsible for Brucellosis intracellular infection. For this reason, the study was aimed to be used safely as a potential recombinant vaccine candidate against all Brucella infections, especially in humans and pregnant animals. This study evaluated a Brucella lipoprotein antigen, i.e. 19 kilodalton (kDa) outer membrane protein (OMP19), which was amplified and cloned into the pETSUMO vector system. The immunogenic power of the purified recombinant OMP19 antigen against brucellosis was compared with that of OMP19 (Raybiotech Inc, USA) in a mouse model and the obtained rOMP19 antigen was found to be similar to the commercially available recombinant protein.

By providing the body with essential nutrients, colostrum plays an immune and immunostimulating function. Colostrum quality depends on multiple factors, including microbial presence. This study aimed to explore the effect of non-aureus staphylococci on colostrum quality. Physical and chemical properties, fatty acid profile of cow colostrum were determined. In our study, we identified three non- aureus staphylococci species in the colostrum: S. sciuri, S. xylosus and S. warneri. The percentage of dry matter in staphylococci positive and negative colostrum samples did not differ significantly. Contents of fat, protein, and lactose in the colostrum were similar. The content of butyric (С4:0) and capric (С10:0) acids was significantly higher in the colostrum fat from samples positive for non- aureus staphylococci. Total bacterial count was lower in non- aureus staphylococci positive samples, while pH increased. The percentage of β-casein was lower in colostrum with a positive culture for non- aureus staphylococci.

Goose astrovirus (GoAstV) is a novel avastrovirus that typically causes gosling gout and results in 2 to 20% mortality. GoAstV capsid protein is the sole structural protein, which is responsible for viral attachment, assembly, maturation as well as eliciting host antibodies. However, the epitopes within capsid protein have not been well studied. In this study, a monoclonal antibody, named 1D7, was generated against GoAstV capsid protein by hybridoma technology. Western blot results showed that this MAb could react with recombinant capsid protein expressed in E. coli. Also, it recognized the precursor of capsid protein, VP90 and VP70, in GoAstV-infected cells. Besides, excellent specificity of MAb 1D7 was further demonstrated in indirect immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemical analysis. Epitope mapping results revealed that MAb 1D7 recognized the epitope ³³QKVY ³⁶ within Cap protein. Sequence alignment indicated that ³³QKVY ³⁶ is a conserved epitope among the isolates of goose astrovirus type 2 (GoAstV-2), suggesting the potential for its use in GoAstV-2 specific diagnostic assay. These findings may provide some insight into a function of the GoAstV capsid protein and further contribute to the development of diagnostic methods for GoAstV infection.

This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid-A (SAA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in healthy and various diseased cats and establish reference intervals (RIs) for these acute phase proteins (APPs) in healthy cats. The animal material of the study consisted of 40 healthy cats and 152 cats with various diseases. The serum APPs in the diseased group were higher than those in the healthy group, and age affected Cp concentration in healthy cats. Also, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) positive (+) group had significantly higher AGP concentrations than the SIRS negative (-) group. In conclusion, this study contributes to the limited number of studies on RIs in serum APPs concentrations in healthy cats. The results of this study suggest that APPs are valuable diagnostic tools for identifying the inflammatory processes of various diseases, and AGP concentration could help determine the severity of the inflammatory condition.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of heat stress on production performance and oxidative stress in different plumage colors of Japanese quail. For this purpose, a total of 100 birds were used in this study. The 25 birds belonged to Wild-type (n=25, grey), Tuxedo (n=25, black), Golden (n=25, yellow) and Recessive white (n=25). The birds were reared for 42 days in an environmentally controlled room at 39°C and relative humidity of 60-65%. The body weight, body weight gain (g/bird/day), and feed conversion ratio were not different between the groups (p>0.05). However, the feed intake (g/bird/day) of the Wild-type had a higher value than the Tuxedo (black) group counterparts between 15 and 21 days different (p<0.05). There was no significant effect of heat stress on the carcass traits (p>0.05). Spleen weights were different between the groups (p<0.05). The yellow group had the highest spleen weight. The highest MDA level was found in the Recessive White variety, followed by Wild-type (grey), Golden (yellow) and Tuxedo (black), respectively. However, there were no statistical differences amongst the groups (p>0.05). There was also no statistical significance in glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (p>0.05). The heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) level was significantly different between the groups (p<0.001). The highest percentage was observed in the Golden (5.06%) and the lowest in the White (1.43%) variety.
There was no superior color variety of Japanese quail regarding fattening performance and carcass traits. It is conceivable that when considering the stress response of the different colors, the Golden group is more sensitive to stress due to the hepatic and cellular level of HSP70.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of controlled-release monensin on the automatic registered body condition score (BCS), and biomarkers registered using a fully automated inline analyzer, such as milk β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), milk yield (MY) and milk lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
Two experimental groups were formed: (1) monensin group (GK) supplemented with monensin (a monensin controlled release capsule (MCRC) of 32.4 g, n = 42) and (2) control group (GO) (capsule containing no monensin, n = 42). Treatment began 21 days before calving, and the experiment was finished one month after calving. In order to gather data about MY, BHB, and LDH, Herd Navigator a real-time analyzer (Lattec I/S, Hillerød, Denmark) was used together with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden). BCS was measured using 3D BCS cameras (DeLaval, DeLaval International AB). All data were registered at one, 15 and 30 days after calving. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA) package. It was concluded that in the group of cows with monensin supplement (a monensin controlled release capsule of 32.4 g,), the body condition score was statistically significantly higher at the 15th (+0.24, p=0.003) and 30th (+0.52, p<0.001) days after calving, the productivity of cows in this group increased by 10.25% from the 1st to the 15th day and by 22.49% from the beginning of the experiment to the 30th day (p<0.001), lactate dehydrogenase activities at the 15th and 30th days after calving in this group were lower (p<0.001), and also in this group, the number of cows with a value of β-hydroxybutyrate of 0.06 mmol/L decreased from the beginning of the experiment to 30 days after calving by 4.70% (from 19.00% to 14.30%) compared with the control group.

The present study investigated the distribution and chemical properties of nerve cell bodies within the trunk of the vagus nerve in juvenile female pigs (n=4) using double-labelling immunofluorescence. The neurons appeared mostly as single cells or formed streaks of cells or small ganglia. Many of the perikarya were cholinergic (VAChT-positive; VAChT+) or adrenergic (DβH+) in nature and no SP+ or CGRP+ neurons were encountered. There were no distinct left-right differences regarding the number and chemical coding of the neuronal somata, however, these characteristics significantly varied between particular nerve segments investigated. The vagosympathetic trunks, and thoracic and abdominal segments of the vagus nerve contained on average (the numerical values represent the means for both the left and right corresponding nerve segments) 142, 236, and 111 PGP 9.5-positive neurons, respectively. Proportions of cholinergic and adrenergic neurons were as follows: 0% and 100%, 54.2% and 33.2%, and 52.8% and 35.4%, respectively. Relatively many neurons in the thoracic and abdominal segments stained also for NOS (39.2% and 39.9%, respectively). It remains to be determined whether the porcine intravagal neurons represent a developmental relic, or whether they have any specific functional significance.

Avian encephalomyelitis (AE) is a viral disease of poultry. Although the disease has a milder clinical course in turkeys than in chickens, reproductive flocks of turkeys are vaccinated against AE. Commercial AE ELISA kits are specifically designed for chickens, which makes it difficult to implement these tests in serological monitoring of turkey flocks. The aim of the study was to compare the AE serological results provided by two ELISA kits from different producers when testing an AE-vaccinated flock of turkey hens and their progeny. We detected differences in the sensitivity of the ELISAs for testing specific anti-AE antibody levels in turkey serum samples.

Theileriosis is a hemoparasitic disease that affects a wide range of different animal species and is caused by various species of Theileria. This study aimed to determine the molecular epidemiology of Theileria annulata through microscopy and PCR, in crossbred cattle in some districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. For this study, a total of 384 blood samples were collected from cattle in the Peshawar (n=120), Charsadda (n=94), Nowshera (n=84), and Swabi (n=86) districts. Microscopy and PCR were used to determine the overall prevalence of theileriosis, which was found to be 15.8 and 22.6%, respectively. Theileria annulata was detected in blood samples through PCR in the study area, and the target gene i.e., Tams 1, of positive samples was sequenced. The sequences in the current study revealed high sequence homology (ranging from 96 to 100%) with Tams 1 sequences of neighboring countries present in the NCBI database. Season, breed, age, and sex were found to be important risk factors among the several risk factors examined, whereas, among different clinical manifestations, lymphadenopathy showed a strong association with theileriosis. According to Cohen’s kappa and ROC analysis, microscopy was proven to be a fair diagnostic test for detecting theileriosis in cattle, and may be used in combination with molecular techniques for screening a large number of animals.

The aim of the study was to verify the quality of ram semen, frozen in 1982-1983, from the historical collection of the Bank of Biological Material of the National Research Institute of Animal Production. A total of 18 ejaculates from 3 Świniarka type rams were analyzed to assess sperm motility (subjectively), total motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration (CASA), membrane integrity (SYBR-14/PI) and chromatin structure (SCSA). In order to determine sperm fertilizing ability 49 ewes were intracervically inseminated (200×106 sperm per AI) with frozen- thawed semen 12 and 24 hours after detection of estrus. Sperm motility parameters, membrane intact spermatozoa and DFI did not differ among the analyzed rams. Spermatozoa concentration was significantly higher for ram no. 2 than for rams no. 1 and 3. The lambing rates (27.3 to 36.0%) did not differ significantly for individual rams. The ram semen, which had been stored for around 40 years, showed satisfactory quality and fertilizing capacity, allowing for its use in artificial insemination.

Ruminal acidosis is frequent in cattle fattening systems associated with grain-rich fibre-poor diets. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ruminal lesions compatible with ruminal acidosis intensive fattening farms and its risk factors on farm. Rumens of 218 out of 1960 bullocks from six farms were classified in slaughterhouses, and the management practices and the type of feed were compared. The prevalence of lesions compatible with ruminal acidosis was high (65%), where 47% and 18% of the animals had ruminal lesions compatible with subacute and acute disease, respectively. Prevalence of lesions differed significantly between the farms, with differences in the management and feeding practices. Ruminal lesions compatible with ruminal acidosis are prevalent in cattle fattening units in Portugal and husbandry and feeding practices are likely to have an impact.

Borreliosis is the most frequently diagnosed tick-borne disease caused by spirochete bacteria belonging to the genus Borreliae - Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii. Clinical manifestations in dogs include fever, lameness, polyarthritis and glomerulonephritis. Diagnosis is mainly serological and is based on an immunoenzymatic test followed by a Western blot confirmatory test. Early treatment with antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin, for four weeks, usually reduces the risk of chronic disease. Tick control, including tick repellents, is highly reliable in preventing transmission. Vaccines are available to reduce transmission and the clinical manifestations of infection in dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs are a breed that often test positive for antibodies against B. burgdorferi without showing any clinical symptoms of the disease. Quantitative determination of the immunoglobulin level for spirochetes has indicated that Bernese Mountain Dogs may have an increased susceptibility to Borrelia spp. infections of a hereditary nature.