Mastitis in a flock of milking sheep.

INTRODUCTION: Determination of somatic cell counts (SCC) becomes more and more important also for ewe's milk. SCC can be a useful indicator of milk quality for milk processors while it can be a mastitis indicator for sheep keepers and an important selection criterion for breeders. The objective of our study was to acquire basic information about factors influencing SCC variability in lambing ewes of the Tsigai (T) and Improved Valachian (IV) breeds. Somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined in 866 milk samples in 2017 and 2018, during lamb sucking and during milking period. An instrument Fossomatic 90 (Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark) was used for analysis. Average SCC varied from 270 to 1897 × 103 cells/ml during lamb sucking and from 268 to 2139 × 103 cells/ml during milking period. Differences between the sampling periods were statistically significant in 2017. An increase in SCC was observed at the end of both sucking and milking periods. An overall evaluation of lactation brought about the average SCC at 364 × 103 cells/ml in 2017 (log(10) SCC - 2,25) and at 1,091 × 103 cells/ml in 2018 (log(10) SCC - 2,68). The indicator log(10) was significantly influenced by breed in 2017 (T - 2,61; IV - 2,75). The effect of lactation number and number of sucking lambs did not have any significant influence on SCC.

INTRODUCTION: La détermination du nombre de cellules somatiques (CCS) devient de plus en plus importante, y compris pour le lait de brebis. Le CCS peut être un indicateur utile de la qualité du lait pour les transformateurs tandis qu'il peut être un indicateur de mammites pour les éleveurs de brebis et un critère de sélection important pour les sélectionneurs. L'objectif de notre étude était d'acquérir des informations de base sur les facteurs influençant la variabilité de la CCS chez les brebis agnelées des races Tsigai (T) et Valachian améliorée (IV). Le nombre de cellules somatiques (CCS) a été déterminé dans 866 échantillons de lait en 2017 et 2018, pendant la tétée des agneaux et pendant la période de traite. Un instrument Fossomatic 90 (Foss Electric, Hillerød, Danemark) a été utilisé pour l'analyse. Le CCS moyen a varié de 270 à 1897 × 103 cellules/ml pendant la tétée des agneaux et de 268 à 2139 × 103 cellules/ml pendant la période de traite. Les différences entre les périodes d'échantillonnage étaient statistiquement significatives en 2017. Une augmentation du CCS a été observée à la fin des périodes de tétée et de traite. Une évaluation globale de la lactation a permis d'obtenir un CCS moyen de 364 × 103 cellules/ml en 2017 (log(10) CCS ­ 2,25) et de 1 091 × 103 cellules/ml en 2018 (log(10) CCS ­ 2,68). L'indicateur log(10) a été significativement influencé par la race en 2017 (T ­ 2,61 ; IV ­ 2,75). L'effet du nombre de lactations et du nombre d'agneaux de lait n'a pas eu d'influence significative sur le CCS.

CER 1 gene polymorphism in postmenopausal Roma and non-Roma Slovak women in connection with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the rs74434454 polymorphism of the CER1 gene and selected biochemical, densitometric and anthropometric markers in Slovak postmenopausal women of two ethnic groups: Roma and non-Roma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The scientific study included 303 postmenopausal women of the non-Roma and Roma populations who were divided into two groups based on densitometric measurements: control group (CG) and osteoporotic group (OG). Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood using a commercial NucleoSpin® Blood kit following a standard protocol. The TaqMan Real-Time PCR method was used for genotyping. Biochemical markers were measured with Cobas e411 and Cobas Integra400 plus analysers. RESULTS: In the control group of postmenopausal Roma women, the occurrence of the risk genotype GG was not observed. In the group of Roma women with osteopenia and osteoporosis, the GG genotype occurred at a frequency of 3.03%. In the group of non-Roma women (between CG and OG) statistically significant differences were found in all monitored biochemical markers except CTx-I (p<0.66). In contrast, in the group of Roma women, statistical significance was only found in the osteoresorption marker CTx-I (p<0.007). In the population of Roma women, we did not find a statistically significant difference between the AA, AG and GG genotypes in any of the monitored markers. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide the first and unique insight on the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the rs74434454 CER1 gene polymorphism and its relationship to markers of bone metabolism in two ethnically distinct groups.

Preliminary results of ethnic divergence of G1181C (rs2073618) and C290T (rs9525641) OPG gene polymorphisms in groups of postmenopausal Slovak women.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we focused on observation of the genetic polymorphisms of the OPG genes G1181C (rs2073618) and C290T (rs9525641), their interactions with biochemical markers and anthropometric parameters in groups of postmenopausal Slovak women (Roma and non-Roma, n = 311). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted and purified from peripheral blood leukocytes by the kit Ultraclean® Blood non-spin® (Carlsbad, CA, USA) using a standard protocol. Genotyping was performed by the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Biochemical markers were measured by the Cobas e411 (Roche Diagnostic, Tokyo, Japan) and Cobas Integra400 plus (Roche Diagnostic, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) analysers. RESULTS: We recorded a higher frequency of the T allele in the C290T polymorphism of the non-Roma control group (53.846%), in Roma groups: control (T - 56.618%) osteoporotic (T - 51.471%). In the G1181C polymorphism, the CC genotype occurred more in the osteoporotic group (34.286%) compared to the control group (27.885%). In the group of postmenopausal Roma women, a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between osteoporotic and control in the biochemical parameters' osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide I, and age. Statistically significant differences (p<0.0001) were also found in bone mineral density and T-score. The high odds ratio suggests the association of G1181C with osteoporosis. A close relationship was found between haplotypes, BMD, T-score, and IL-6 in control; and BMI, WHR, T-score, and osteocalcin in osteoporotic groups of Roma and non-Roma women. CONCLUSIONS: The results point to differences in the occurrence of genotypes and associations of haplotypes with the manifestation of osteoporosis in Roma and non-Roma women. However, a larger number of samples is needed to determine whether or not there are differences between the Roma and non-Roma populations.

Phylogenic study of denaturation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from different species by high and low temperature.

We studied the influence of storage at different temperatures on lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27; LD) isoenzymes from different tissues and different species, and analysed biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of denaturation during storage. Isoenzymes obtained from tissue extracts of mammals, poultry, reptiles. amphibians and fish were shown to have their own denaturation ranges at low temperatures by post-treatment assays and transition temperature analysis. These ranges were between -10 and -20 degrees C for most vertebrate LD isoenzymes. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the denaturation of LD isoenzymes was probably caused by a change in the hydrophobic interactions in the molecule. At higher temperatures, LD-1 isoenzyme was more thermostable than LD-5 from the same animal species, except for rats, the LD-5 activity of which was more thermostable than the LD-1 activity. These findings indicate that variable effects of storage of samples and reference materials at low temperatures should be considered, and that it is necessary to establish LD isoenzyme standards for animal clinical laboratory investigations.

[Biochemical aspects of the toxic effects of Supermethrin in a 140-day avian reproductive test]. / Biochemické aspekty toxického úcinku supermetrínu v podmienkach chronického 140-dnového aviárneho reprodukcného testu.

Chronic toxic effects of supermethrin on some biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, LDH, creatinine and total proteins) were investigated in 84 individuals of Japanese quail divided into four groups (control-K, experimental group I-P1, experimental group II-P2, experimental group III-P3) in the conditions of 140-day avian reproductive test. The three experimental groups received the tested substance at these doses: P1-10.7 mg/kg l.w./day, P2-21.4 mg/kg l.w./day, P3-35.7 mg/kg l.w./day. The results of observation of the enzyme activities AST and ALT show that only the AST activity (in the course of 140-day avian reproductive test) significantly increased to 1.225 mu kat/l in the females of experimental group P1, to 1.053 mu kat/l in P2 and to 1.014 mu kat/l in P3 against the control, in which the AST activity was 0.670 mu kat/l. The values of AST activity in the males were 1.143 mu kat/l in P1, 1.117 mu kat/l in P2 and 1.090 mu kat/l in P3 against the control 0.8395 mu kat/l. The investigation of variations in total LDH activity in Japanese quail after 140-day avian reproductive test has shown an increase in the LDH activity in the males (11.193 mu kat/l in P1, 11.269 mu kat/l in P2, 8.245 mu kat/l in P3 and 7.362 mu kat/l in K) as well as in the females (10.91 mu kat/l in P1, 12.023 mu kat/l in P2, 10.196 mu kat/l in P3 and 7.055 mu kat/l in K).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Biochemical aspects of the toxic effects of Supermethrin and the histochemical activity of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase in subchronic poisoning in sheep]. / Biochemické aspekty toxického úcinku supermetrínu a histochemická aktivita alkalickej fosfatázy, kyslej fosfatázy a nespecifickej esterázy v podmienkach subchronickej intoxikácie oviec.

Fifteen Slovak Merino sheep were included in the experiment. The animals weighing 21-28 kg were divided into three groups per five animals. In a six-week feeding experiment the animals of group I were given 50 mg supermethrin per kg live weight per day while those of group II received 200, and from week four of the experiment 300 mg supermethrin per kg live weight per day. During the experiment changes of aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1), alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2), acetylcholine esterase (EC 3.1.1.7), urea und creatinine levels in blood serum were observed. Six weeks after supermethrin treatment the sheep were slaughtered and histochemical evaluation of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2), acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and non-specific esterase (EC 3.1.1.1) was carried out in liver, kidney, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. In the course of the experiment changes of the enzymatic activities of aspartate aminotransferase observed in both experimental groups of sheep were similar to those seen in the control group of animals (Tab. I). As compared to the starting values, no significant changes in the activity of alanine aminotransferase were observed in group II of the experiment and in the controls. However, a significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase activity could be seen in the blood serum of sheep of group I (Tab. II). In both experimental groups of animals no significant changes in the acetylcholine esterase could be seen (Tab. III). As compared to the starting values, no significant changes were observed in creatinine levels of the control and the 1st experimental group of sheep (Tab. IV). In the sheep of the 2nd group a temporary significant decrease (p < 0.05) in creatinine levels was seen. The dynamics of urea levels was similar to starting values in all animals throughout the experiment Tab. V). In the control group of animals (Fig. 1) the high density of reaction product of alkaline phosphatase was determined in the microvilli of enterocytes of the small intestine. In the small intestine of the animals of both experimental groups, the activity of this enzyme was shown to be located in the same zone (Fig. 2). In all experimental animals in the parenchyma of the liver and kidney no significant changes could be observed. In both experimental and control animals the high activity of acid phosphatase was demonstrated to be located especially in the cytoplasma of enterocytes. The activity of non-specific esterase was located in the cytoplasma of enterocytes of the small intestine, in the intestinal crypts its activity was slight up to high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Clinical signs and mechanism of supermethrin intoxication in sheep.

Three Slovak Merino sheep, weighing 38, 40 and 41 kg, were given single doses of 1500, 2700 or 3000 mg supermethrin/kg body weight. Clinical signs of intoxication were observed, and after death or sacrifice free cyanide levels were determined in the rumen contents and liver. The sheep that received 3000 mg supermethrin/kg had 7.2 and 0.58 mg cyanide/kg in the rumen contents and liver, respectively; the sheep that received 2700 mg supermethrin/kg had 5.8 and 0.52 mg cyanide/kg in the rumen contents and liver, respectively; whereas the sheep given 1500 mg supermethrin/kg had no free cyanide detected in the rumen contents or liver.