Anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from wireless technologies has increased dramatically. The boar semen used for artificial insemination is essential in sustaining the ...pig industry, and additionally it is also exposed to the effects of the RF-EMR of wireless technologies. Furthermore, there are no data on the effects of RF-EMR on semen quality, and this is the first analysis of sperm's morphometric parameters for assessing the effect of RF-EMR on the spermatozoa subpopulations of boars. This study investigated the effect of RF-EMR on in vitro exposed breeding boar semen spermatozoa motility and the proportions of spermatozoa subpopulations according to their morphometric head and tail parameters. The semen samples of 12 boars were divided into control and experimental groups. The samples in the experimental group were exposed in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic chamber at a frequency of 2500 MHz (the frequency band used in 5G technology) and an electric field strength of 10 Vm
for two hours. After exposure, the spermatozoa motility was evaluated for both groups. A morphometric analysis of the semen smears was performed using SFORM software (Version 1.0; VAMS, Zagreb, Croatia). The progressive spermatozoa motility was significantly reduced in the experimental group (74.7% vs. 85.7%). PC analysis and cluster analysis revealed two spermatozoa subpopulations: S1, spermatozoa with a more regular head shape and a smaller midpiece outline, and S2, spermatozoa with a more elongated head shape and a larger midpiece outline. The experimental semen samples had a greater proportion of the S1 spermatozoa subpopulation (68.2% vs. 64.4%). The effect of RF-EMR at 2500 MHz on the in vitro exposed boar semen resulted in decreased progressive spermatozoa motility and a lower proportion of the spermatozoa subpopulation with a higher fertilizing potential.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of in-feed clinoptilolite (CPL) on serum metabolic and antioxidative biomarkers, acute phase proteins and reproductive performance in cows ...during pregnancy and lactation. A total of 78 Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned into two groups: the treatment group, cows fed CPL (n = 38) which received 50 g of powdered CPL twice a day from day 180 before parturition to day 60 postpartum; and the control group (n = 40). Blood samples were taken on days 180, 90, 60, 30 and 10 before parturition, on day of calving and on days 5, 12, 19, 26, 33, 40 and 60 postpartum, and were analysed for metabolic biomarkers: glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), antioxidative biomarkers and acute phase proteins: paraoxonase-1 (PON1), apolipoprotein A-I, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA). CPL supplementation increased concentration of glucose and significantly decreased (P < .05) level of BHB during puerperium. The SAA concentration in CPL-fed cows was significantly decreased (P < .05) on days 33, 40 and 60 postpartum as well as Hp concentration on days 0 and 12 postpartum. The results of this study suggest that the CPL-fed cows may have improved metabolic status due to the tendency of greater glucose levels and decreased BHB values during early lactation. In addition, acute phase response was lower (P < .05) in CPL-fed cows. Such an outcome might be attributed to the effect of dietary CPL on intensity and severity of the negative energy balance and inflammatory response in dairy cows.
•Dietary clinoptilolite improves metabolic status in dairy cows.•Acute phase response was lower in clinoptilolite-in feed supplemented cows.•Clinoptilolite supplementation could affect severity of the NEB in dairy cows.•Dietary clinoptilolite improved reproductive performance in dairy cows.•Clinoptilolite supplement had a positive influence on milk yield in dairy cows.
Joint disease has a high correlation with bull reproductive failure at semen collection centers or in natural breeding programs. The majority of changes involve the digital region, with various ...etiologies and pathomorphologies. An X-ray examination is often indicated, but has not become a routine procedure in bovine practice. The aim of our research was to determine radiographically visible changes in the digital region and determine their anatomical distribution in stud bulls that do not show clinical signs of lameness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vivo radiographic study of the digital region in Simmental stud bulls. The study included 30 adult Simmental stud bulls in breeding condition. Five (16.66%) bulls had no changes on their digits, and 25 (83.33%) had different groups of changes on their digits. The anatomical site of occurrence and the frequency of pathological changes on each individual digit were determined. In 76% of bulls, changes are visible on both the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Mostly radiographic findings of changes in the digital region in stud bulls without clinical signs of the disease correspond to chronic degenerative changes in their bones and joints, but they do not have any significant influence on the health status or semen production of stud bulls. However, the distribution of radiographic findings in these stud bulls does not correspond with the previously described distribution in other categories of cattle.
In the past two decades many substances of natural or synthetic origin were studied as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) and some of them, particularly immunomodulators ...(IMs) and nutraceuticals (NCs), have shown to be capable of stimulating functions of the immune system and improving general health. At the same time, they were shown to be harmless for animals and the environment. Promising results have been obtained with natural clay minerals, zeolites among which clinoptilolite (CPL) is the best known as zootechnical and biomedical feed ingredient widely reported in scientific literature and used in farm animal nutrition. CPL has a potential to replace AGP due to its unique anti-bacterial properties, safety and efficacy as dietary supplement in food animals unifying potentials of an IM and NC. Currently, there are many reasons for CPL utilization in animal biotechnology and veterinary medicine because of it’s detoxificating, antioxidant, hemostatic, anti-diarrheic, growth-promoting and immunostimulating properties. Also, in human medicine it is an adjuvant in immunodeficiency states, oncology (after chemotherapy and radiotherapy) or reducer of radioactive elements. The aims of this review were to compile and discuss scientific data on safety and efficiency of nutritive modulation by dietary CPL (and other zeolites) as an alternative to AGP in animals of veterinary importance In particular the aim is to analyse its potentials and limitations in cattle regarding metabolic and endocrine status, oxidative stress and systemic/local inflammatory responses involved in reproductive and metabolic disorders of dairy cows. Altogether, these analyses will contribute to objective validation of practical significance of CPL as a novel feed additive able to maintain and improve health, fertility and performance in cattle production.
Endometrial adenocarcinomas present rare neoplasia of bitches. This case report describes mucinous endometrial adenocarcinoma in a bitch with concurrent pyometra for the first time. A mass on the ...uterine stump was removed during surgery of a 13-year-old bitch with clinically suspected pyometra. Histopathology revealed mucinous endometrial adenocarcinoma. The tumor was classified according to human classification, responding to women's type I (endometrioid carcinoma). Immunohistochemistry showed a positive expression of estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor, p53, and p16 gene, while vimentin was not expressed.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of the dog’s age, semen quality, and the duration and season of semen transit on whelping rate and litter size after insemination with ...transported chilled extended semen. The sperm rich fraction was collected from 43 dogs of 18 breeds, which were presented at the Clinic for chilled semen transport, in the period from 2017 to 2021. Immediately after collection, the total sperm concentration and count, motility, membrane integrity (HOS test), the percentage of live spermatozoa and sperm morphology (eosin nigrosin staining) were evaluated. The sperm rich fraction was centrifuged and diluted with Tris – fructose - citrate extender with the addition of 20% (v/v) egg yolk, then chilled and prepared for shipping. A dose consisted of at least 200x106 live, motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa. The data on the dog’s age, chilled sperm transit time, the season of transit, and the whelping rate and litter size after insemination were recorded. The whelping rate was 55.8% with a mean (±SEM) litter size of 4.71±0.58 pups. The total number of spermatozoa was higher in artificial insemination (AI) that resulted in whelping compared to unsuccessful AI (P<0.05). No difference was observed for any of other sperm quality parameters tested, such as the dog’s age or season of transit regarding whelping rate or litter size. Transit time significantly affected the whelping rate (P<0.01), at (mean±SEM) 21.50±1.28 and 37.00±5.59 h in successful and unsuccessful AI, respectively. In conclusion, analysis of the factors related to the dogs identified total sperm count and transit time as factors that significantly affected whelping rates in bitches inseminated with transported chilled extended semen.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of the transition period on lipid mobilisation and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity, as well as the relationship between the indicators of ...lipid metabolism and PON1 activity. Twenty-four Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (aged 2-7 years) were included in the study. Parameters of lipid metabolism (triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, NEFA and BHB) and PON1 activity were monitored on days -30, -10, -2, 0, 5, 12, 19, 26 and 60 relative to parturition. Triglyceride concentration was significantly decreased from parturition until day 60 after calving, as compared to the values obtained before calving (P < 0.05). Both total cholesterol and HDL-C concentrations significantly decreased at calving, with an increase during lactation (P < 0.05). Serum NEFA concentrations significantly increased at calving (P < 0.05) and stayed at the highest values up to day 19 after calving. Serum BHB concentrations increased significantly after calving on days 12 and 19 (P < 0.05), which may be a consequence of increased NEFA around parturition. These changes indicate fat mobilisation from adipose tissue due to the energy deficit during the transition period. Serum PON1 activity decreased at calving but increased significantly on days 26 and 60 postpartum, suggesting a reduced antioxidant status in the postpartum period. Additionally, PON1 significantly positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.42) and HDL-C (r = 0.49) and inversely correlated with NEFA (r = -0.33). The results suggested that PON1 activity is related to lipid metabolism and lipomobilisation syndrome and could be considered as a putative marker for metabolic and inflammatory-related disorders in transition dairy cows. Key words: non-esterified fatty acids, p-hydroxybutirate, negative energy balance, oxidative stress, inflammation Ciljevi su ovog rada bili istraziti utjecaj prijelaznog razdoblja na mobilizaciju lipida i aktivnost paraoksonaze-1 (PON1) te odnos izmedu pokazatelja metabolizma lipida i aktivnosti PON1. U istrazivanje su bile ukljucene 24 mlijecne krave holstajnsko-frizijske pasmine u dobi od dvije do sedam godina. U serumu su odredivani pokazatelji metabolizma lipida (trigliceridi, ukupni kolesterol, HDL-C, slobodne masne kiseline i beta-hidroksibutirat) i aktivnost PON1 i to 30, 10 i 2 dana prije teljenja, na dan teljenja te 5., 12., 19., 26. i 60. dana nakon teljenja. Koncentracija triglicerida bila je znacajno snizena od porodaja do 60. dana laktacije u usporedbi s vrijednostima dobivenim prije teljenja (P < 0,05). Koncentracije kolesterola i HDL-C bile su znacajno nize kod teljenja s postupnim porastom tijekom laktacije (P < 0,05). Koncentracija slobodnih masnih kiselina bila je znacajno veca kod teljenja (P < 0,05) i zadrzala se na vecim vrijednostima do 19. dana laktacije. Koncentracija beta-hidroksibutirata bila je znacajno veca 12. i 19. dana nakon teljenja (P < 0,05), vjerojatno kao posljedica povecane koncentracije slobodnih masnih kiselina oko teljenja. Ove promjene ukazuju na mobilizaciju masti iz masnoga tkiva kao posljedica nedostatka energije tijekom prijelaznog razdoblja. Aktivnost PON1 bila je smanjena kod teljenja i znacajno se povecala 26. i 60. dana laktacije sto ukazuje na smanjeni antioksidacijski status u postpartalnom razdoblju. Takoder, aktivnost PON1 znacajno je pozitivno korelirala s ukupnim kolesterolom (r = 0,42) i HDL-C (r = 0,49) i obrnuto korelirala s koncentracijom slobodnih masnih kiselina (r = -0,33). Rezultati ukazuju da je PON1 povezana s metabolizmom lipida i lipomobilizacijskim sindromom te da bi se mogla smatrati mogucim pokazateljem metabolickih i upalnih poremecaja mlijecnih krava u prijelaznom razdoblju. Kljucne rijeci: slobodne masne kiseline, beta-hidroksibutirat, negativni energetski balans, oksidacijski stres, upala
Elektromagnetsko se zračenje emitira iz prirodnog okruženja, ali i uporabom industrijskih i svakodnevnih uređaja za bežičnu komunikaciju, stoga su ljudski i životinjski organizmi stalno izloženi ...zračenju. Tijekom posljednjih godina, zbog brzog tehnološkog napretka, elektromagnetsko zračenje iz umjetnih izvora premašilo je vrijednosti zračenja prirodnog podrijetla. Opća zabrinutost svih nas, zbog sve
većeg broja uređaja (mobilnih telefona, prijenosnih računala, Wi-Fi-ja i mikrovalnih pećnica), koji koriste radiofrekvencijsko elektromagnetsko zračenje (RF-EMZ) opravdana je zbog sve brojnijih dokaza o njihovoj štetnosti na žive organizme. Suvremeni uređaji moderne tehnologije emitiraju radiofrekvencijske elektromagnetske valove malih frekvencija koje ljudsko i životinjsko tijelo apsorbira što može imati potencijalne štetne učinke na: mozak, srce, endokrini sustav i reproduktivnu funkciju. Muški je reproduktivni sustav jedno od najosjetljivijih tkiva na RF-EMZ-e. Tako je primjerice, iz trenutno dostupnih studija provedenih in vitro i in vivo, jasno da RF-EMZ-e ima štetne učinke na spermatogenezu, odnosno kakvoću ejakulata ljudi i životinja – broj spermija u ejakulatu, preživljavanje, morfologiju i gibljivost spermija - utječe na stanični metabolizam i endokrini sustav i može prouzročiti genotoksičnost, genomsku nestabilnost i oksidativni stres, a to može prouzročiti neplodnost. Štetni učinci RFEMZ-a dijele se na toplinske i netoplinske. Većinanegativnih bioloških učinaka pripisuje se netoplinskim učincima, a toplinski se učinci nastali RF-EMZ mobilnog telefona, smatraju manje štetnima. Zbog stvaranja prevelike količine reaktivnih kisikovih spojeva u muškom spolnom sustavu hipertermija skrotuma i povećani oksidativni stres mogu biti ključni mehanizmi putem kojih RF-EMZ-e utječe na plodnost muškaraca. Navedeni su i negativni učinci povezani s vremenom korištenja, ponajprije mobilnog telefona. Stoga je cilj ovoga preglednog rada opisati neke od učinaka RF-EMZ-a na muški spolni sustav.
The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of parity on the resumption of ovarian cyclicity and to characterize metabolic factors affecting ovarian cyclicity. The study was ...conducted on a total of 24 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. The cows were divided into 2 groups comprising 12 animals each, according to parity as primiparous or multiparous. The serum samples were analysed for the indicators of metabolic status: non-esterfied fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. The resumption of ovarian cyclicity was determined by progesterone concentrations and gynaecological examination. The concentrations of HDL-C and NEFA were either significantly higher or lower, respectively, in relation to the resumption of ovarian cyclicity. These findings suggested that overcoming the negative energy balance (NEB) is the most important prerequisite for determining the resumption of ovarian cyclicity. This study also revealed a significantly longer period until the first service in primiparous cows as compared to multiparous cows. In conclusion, the primiparous cows were more susceptible to metabolic stress during the transition period, and their metabolic and endocrine profiles were more unbalanced compared to the multiparous cows. Key words: negative energy balance, parity, ovarian cyclicity, dairy cows Cilj ovog rada bio je istraziti ucinak pariteta na povratak ciklicne aktivnosti jajnika i odrediti metabolicke pokazatelje koji utjecu na ciklicnu aktivnost jajnika. Istrazivanje je provedeno na ukupno 24 krave holstajnskofrizijske pasmine. Krave su bile podijeljene s obzirom na paritet u dvije skupine od po 12 zivotinja u svakoj prema paritetu na primiparne i multiparne. U uzorcima seruma analizirani su pokazatelji metabolickog statusa neesterificirane masne kiseline (engl. akronim NEFA), betahidroksi butirat (BHB), glukoza, trigliceridi, ukupni kolesterol i kolesterol iz lipoproteina visoke gustoce (engl. akronim HDL-C). Ponovno uspostavljanje ciklicne aktivnosti jajnika bilo je odredeno pomocu koncentracije progesterona i ginekoloskim pregledom. Utvrdena je znacajno visa koncentracija HDL-C i niza koncentracija NEFA u odnosu na ponovno uspostavljanje ciklicne aktivnosti jajnika. Ovi nalazi upucuju na zakljucak daje nadvladavanje NEB-a najvaznije preduvjet koji odreduje ponovno uspostavljanje ciklicne aktivnosti jajnika. Nase je istrazivanje takoder pokazalo da su primiparne krave imale znacajno duze razdoblje do prvog osjemenjivanja nakon teljenja u odnosu na multiparne krave. Stoga se moze zakljuciti da su primiparne krave osjetljivije na metabolicki stres tijekom prijelaznog razdoblja te da su njihovi metabolicki i endokrini profili neuravnotezeniji u usporedbi s onima u multiparnih krava. Kjucne rijeci: negativni energetski status, paritet, ciklicna aktivnost jajnika, mlijecna krava