The Effect of Season and Meteorological Conditions on Parasite Infection in Farm-Maintained Mouflons (Ovis aries Musimon).

Due to their limited environment, farm animals are at greater risk of parasitic infection than free-living animals, which also have greater natural resistance to parasitic diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of season and meteorological conditions (temperature and humidity) on the species composition and dynamics of parasitic infections in farmed mouflons. The study was conducted in a herd of mouflon (n = 40) in an extensive system: the animals remained on pasture all year round. The herd was dewormed twice per year with albendazole. Fecal samples were collected at monthly intervals over three years and tested. The prevalence of infection was defined based on coproscopic methods. For most of the studied protozoans (except for E. parva), a greater prevalence was recorded in spring and summer (i.w. from May to September). Regarding nematodes, Capillaria spp., Nematodirus sp., and the Trichostrongylidae demonstrated a much greater prevalence in winter (i.e., in January and December). Temperature and precipitation were found to be positively correlated with intensity of infection by protozoans. However, maximum air temperature was negatively correlated with infection intensity by some nematodes. The deworming practice used in the herd (selection of substance, date, and method of dosing) did not effectively protect the mouflons against parasitoses. Changes in the microclimate resulted in high extent and intensity of mouflon infection with gastrointestinal parasites. Understanding the dynamics of parasitic infections in mouflons during the year allows the development of an appropriate preventive programme.

The effect of the sex, age, and breed of farmed rabbits and the choice of management system on the extensity and intensity of Eimeria infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The most common causes of loss and diarrhea in rabbit farming are nutritional errors and coccidiosis. The infection can spread rapidly throughout a breeding area, reducing the rabbit population, and causing heavy losses. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the system of animal management on the extensity and intensity of infection by Eimeria of farmed rabbits, together with the effect of the sex, age, and breed of the rabbits themselves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 91 rabbits (Flemish Giant, New Zealand White, French Lope, Vienna Blue, California White, and mixed breed) from eight domestic (small-scale) farms from Poland. The prevalence and intensity of coccidial infection were determined by the Willis-Schlaf and McMaster coprological methods. The species were determined based on oocyst morphology: Their shape, color, form index, the presence or absence of micropyle and cap, and the presence or absence of residual, polar, and Stiedé bodies. RESULTS: Seven species of Eimeria were isolated from the tested rabbits: Eimeria magna, Eimeria media, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria stiedae, Eimeria coecicola, Eimeria exigua, and Eimeria irresidua. Most infections were found to be of relatively low intensity. No significant differences in the extensity of Eimeria protozoan infection were observed with regard to sex. However, rabbit age had a significant influence on the extensity of infection by E. magna and of Eimerian protozoans combined. The greatest extensity was observed in rabbits aged below 6 months. For all species of Eimeria, greater extensity was observed among rabbits kept in groups than individually. The system of rabbit management also had a significant influence on the intensity of infection. Those kept in groups demonstrated a significantly higher mean intensity of infection of E. magna and all Eimeria species combined than those kept individually. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that Eimeria protozoa are a common occurrence on small-scale rabbit farms. As coccidiosis treatment does not always give good results, prevention is very important in the fight against this disease. It is necessary to develop a new preventive paradigm that pays special attention to the factors that promote the spread and development of infection in domestic (small-scale) farms from Poland. For example, it would be recommended to use large, dry, bright rooms with access to the sun, as these are conducive to preventing the occurrence of coccidia infections.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) as bioindicators of environmental levels of selenium in Poland.

The objective of the study was to determine selenium content in selected organs (liver, kidney) of wild boars from different regions of Poland. Materials for the study were obtained from 28 sites located in 16 provinces of Poland. Selenium concentrations in organs were determined using spectrofluorometric methods after wet mineralization in HNO3 and HClO4 mixture. Mean selenium concentrations in the investigated wild boars from Poland were 0.230 µg/g wet weight in the liver and 1.327 µg/g w.w. in the kidneys. Hepatic and nephric Se concentrations ranged from 0.036-0.626 µg/g w.w. and 0.322-4.286 µg/g w.w., respectively. Selenium concentrations in the wild boars differed considerably according to geographical location. Concentrations of selenium were highest in wild boars from south-eastern provinces and lowest in animals from northern provinces. Most of Poland's area is environmentally deficient in this trace element, as evidenced by marginal selenium levels in the organs of the wild boars.

Serum selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium content in testes of Polish Konik horses from selenium--deficient area in North-Western Poland.

The aim of this study was to determine serum selenium concentrations in Polish Konik horses residing in the Odra Delta Nature Park (Poland) and to evaluate the activity of glutathione peroxidase and Se content in testes of this horse breed. In over 95% of cases, serum Se concentration was below the optimal range, and none of the horses examined was deficient in this trace element. The lack of Se deficiency in the animals examined suggests however, that the Polish Konik horses have a natural ability to the optimal use of nutrients available in their life area. Testicular content of Se and GSHPx activity in the colts was higher than those found in stallions, and a positive relationship between these antioxidants was demonstrated. The differences in Se contents and GSHPx activities in testes between colts and stallions suggest that selenoenzymes play important roles during the puberty of male horses.

Evaluation of selenium status and its distribution in organs of free living foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from an Se deficient area.

The objective of the study was to determine selenium status and its distribution in the organs of free living foxes from selenium deficient areas of north-western Poland. Samples of organs harvested from 40 foxes shot during the 2008-2009 hunting seasons served as experimental material. Selenium concentration in the organs was determined spectrofluorometrically. Selenium distribution in tissues depends largely on its dietary content. Our study indicated that concentrations of selenium in the examined organs followed the order: kidney>liver>spleen>lung>heart and kidneys were the organ with the highest retention of this element. Mean selenium concentration in fox kidneys was 0.60 +/- 0.15 microg/g wet weight. Several times less selenium on average was found in the liver (0.27 +/- 0.09 microg/g w.w.), lungs (0.17 +/- 0.06 microg/g w.w.), spleen (0.19 +/- 0.06 microg/g w.w.) and heart (0.13 +/- 0.05 microg/g w.w.). All the animals studied were deficient in selenium.