Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Bojarojc-Nosowicz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: P. Brym Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: E. Kaczmarczyk Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: A. Stachura Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: A.K. Habel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland Title: Polymorphism and expression of the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene in non-infected cows and in cows naturally infected with the bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the influence of TNF-alpha gene polymorphism at position -824 A > G on TNF-alpha gene expression in BLV-positive animals with aleukaemic (AL) and persistent lymphocytosis (PL) forms of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and in BLV-negative cows. Polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene at position -824 A > G had a complex influence on TNF-alpha gene expression in cows infected with BLV. In animals with various TNF-alpha genotypes, mRNA levels were stable and similar, but significant differences were noted in the percentages of PBMCs expressing membrane TNF-alpha (mTNF-alpha) protein (PBMCs that were positive for mTNF-alpha). In healthy cows, significant differences in TNF-alpha gene expression were not noted at any of the analysed levels. BLV infection and EBL progression resulted in differential TNF-alpha gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels, but the differences in the amount of the transcript and the percentages of mTNF-alpha+ cells exhibited a reverse trend. The lowest mRNA levels and the highest percentage of PBMCs expressing mTNF-alpha protein were determined in BLV-positive cows. These complex results regarding TNF-alpha gene expression in BLV-positive cows could be attributed to the presence of virus or viral protein/proteins modifying the expression of the TNF-alpha gene. Keywords: TNF-alpha gene, polymorphism, gene expression, mTNF-alpha, BLV, EBL Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 1-9 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8676-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8676-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8676-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A.D. Omur Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey Author-Name: K. Coyan Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey Title: Protective effects of the antioxidants curcumin, ellagic acid and methionine on motility, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity in freeze-thawed Merino ram sperm Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of curcumin, ellagic acid and methionine on sperm parameters following the freeze-thawing of Merino ram semen. Ejaculates were collected via an artificial vagina from four Merino rams, evaluated microscopically and pooled at 37 °C. The pooled semen samples were diluted in a Tris-based extender and separated into groups containing curcumin (1, 2, 4mM), ellagic acid (1, 2, 4mM), methionine (1, 2, 4mM) and no antioxidant (control). The diluted semen was cooled to 5 °C slowly and equilibrated for 3 h. After the equilibration, the samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour, and plunged into liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) for storage. Frozen straws were thawed at 37 °C for 30 s in a water bath for microscopic sperm evaluation, individually. All antioxidants led to a higher percentage of sperm motility in comparison to the control group. The freezing extender supplemented with methionine (1mM), curcumin (1 and 2mM) and ellagic acid (1 and 2mM) led to higher percentage of sperm plasma membrane integrity when compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Antioxidant supplementation also resulted in a higher percentage of sperm acrosome integrity in comparison to the control. Methionine, curcumin and ellagic acid (1mM: 27.7 ± 2.4, 28.0 ± 2.1 and 26.8 ± 2.0) groups provided higher protection in terms of sperm mitochondrial activity when compared to other groups (P < 0.05). The findings of this study show that varying concentrations of curcumin, methionine and ellagic acid have markedly different effects on the spermatological variables under study. Keywords: curcumin, ellagic acid, methionine, ram semen, semen cryopreservation, spermatological parameters Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 10-16 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8677-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8677-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8677-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Gulmez Saglam Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Faculty, University of Kafkas, Kars, Turkey Author-Name: M. Sahin Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Faculty, University of Kafkas, Kars, Turkey Title: Coxiella burnetii in samples from cattle herds and sheep flocks in the Kars region of Turkey Abstract: This study was aimed at determining the presence of C. burnetii in cattle and sheep herds in the Kars region of Turkey using serological and molecular methods. As a serological technique, C.burnetii IgG in blood sera and milk samples were investigated with ELISA. The results of these examinations revealed that 108 (43.2%) out of 250 sheep blood serum samples and 52 (14.85%) out of 350 cattle blood serum samples were seropositive for C. burnetii antibodies by ELISA. Out of 350 cattle and 250 sheep milk samples examined with ELISA, 36 (10.28%) and 42 (16.8%) were found to be seropositive, respectively. For molecular analysis, a Trans-PCR amplifying the IS1111A transposase gene of C. burnetii was conducted. Five (1.42%) out of 350 cattle milk samples, and one (0.4%) from 250 sheep milk samples were found to be positive for C. burnetii DNA. The results obtained in this study have demonstrated the presence of Q fever in cattle and sheep in the Kars region, and the dissemination of the infectious agent within milk. This situation poses a potential risk for animal and human health. Ultimately, this study points the way to future investigations into the presence of C. burnetii, which causes Q fever in cattle and sheep, and will contribute to the protection and control of the disease. Keywords: Coxiella burnetii, Q fever, cattle, sheep, sera, ELISA, PCR Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 17-22 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8678-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8678-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8678-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Gebauer Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Osvaldova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Kudlackova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Maceckova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: F. Sisak Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Havlickova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Ondrackova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Leva Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Faldyna Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Matiasovic Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Maternal immunity induced by inactivated S. Typhimurium vaccine is less protective to S. Derby challenge than to S. Typhimurium challenge in suckling piglets Abstract: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica serovar Derby are the most common serovars of Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica found in pigs in Europe. We previously observed that suckling piglets of sows vaccinated with an S. Typhimurium-based inactivated vaccine are protected against homologous strain challenge. To develop this vaccine for commercial use, potential crossprotectivity of this vaccine to challenge with S. Derby was tested. Two sows were vaccinated with an S. Typhimurium-based inactivated vaccine while two other sows remained serologically negative. Four-day-old suckling piglets from both groups were orally challenged with S. Derby or S. Typhimurium. Maternally-derived immunity against S. Typhimurium protected piglets against S. Typhimurium challenge, when a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in S. Typhimurium count was found in ileocaecal and submandibular lymph node, tonsil, ileum and ileum content. On the other hand, after S. Derby challenge, significant (P < 0.05) decrease in S. Derby count was detected only in ileum content. Although both serovars belong to the same O:4 serogroup, other antigenic structures, for example the flagellin, are different. In a subsequent in-vitro experiment, we found that serum from vaccinated sows inhibited the motility of S. Typhimurium but not the motility of S. Derby. Our results indicate that protectivity of S. Typhimurium vaccine against S. Derby infection is limited. Keywords: vaccination, crossprotectivity, antibody Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 23-27 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8679-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8679-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8679-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Mohammadi Gheisar Author-Workplace-Name: Dankook University, Cheonan, Choongnam, Republic of Korea Author-Name: A. Hosseindoust Author-Workplace-Name: Dankook University, Cheonan, Choongnam, Republic of Korea Author-Name: I.H. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: Dankook University, Cheonan, Choongnam, Republic of Korea Title: Effects of dietary Enterococcus faecium on growth performance, carcass characteristics, faecal microbiota, and blood profile in broilers Abstract: This research was performed to evaluate the effect of supplementing broiler diets with a probiotic containing Enterococcus faecium on growth performance, carcass characteristics, faecal microbiota, and blood profile. A total of 384 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (mixed gender) with an average initial BW of 39.2 g were used in a 35 days feeding trial. The chicks were allotted to pens with 16 birds per pen and eight replications per treatment with food and water provided ad libitum. Treatments were: (1) basal diet, (2) 0.25% probiotic, and (3) 0.5% probiotic. Results indicated that body weight gain (BWG) on Day 7 to 21, Day 21 to 35 and overall (0 to 35) increased (P < 0.05) linearly but feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected. A linear increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the relative weight of breast muscle when comparing the 0 to 0.5% concentration of probiotic, but breast meat colour was not affected by treatments. A significant impact (linear effect, P < 0.05) was observed on drip loss on Day 1. Inclusion of probiotic decreased (P < 0.05) the count of Salmonella linearly but the counts of E. coli and Lactobacillus were not affected. There was no remarkable influence on blood profile. Thus, it was concluded that inclusion of a probiotic containing Enterococcus faecium improved growth performance and altered the intestinal microbial population, without any negative effects on meat colour and blood profile in broiler chickens. Keywords: broiler, carcass characteristics, Enterococcus faecium, faecal microbiota Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 28-34 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8680-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8680-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8680-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Sevcikova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Modra Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Blahova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Dobsikova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Plhalova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: O. Zitka Author-Workplace-Name: Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: D. Hynek Author-Workplace-Name: Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Kizek Author-Workplace-Name: Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Skoric Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Svobodova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Biochemical, haematological and oxidative stress responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) after sub-chronic exposure to copper Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of copper-based pesticides (at concentrations of copper of 20, 30, 40 and 70 µg/l) on one-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) during 28 days of exposure. Abnormal behaviour was observed in fish exposed to 70 µg/lfrom Day14. Histological alterations were noticed only in liver in the groups exposed to 40 and 70 µg/l.Significant changes (P ˂ 0.05) in almost all haematological indices were found, especially in the group exposed to the highest concentration of copper (70 µg/l). Biochemical analysis revealed various significant (P ˂ 0.05) differences among the tested groups. Significant differences in copper tissue concentration (P ˂ 0.05) among groups were found in liver, gills and kidney. Among antioxidative enzymes, significant changes were revealed mainly in catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activity (P ˂ 0.05). In gills, metallothionein content increased significantly (P ˂ 0.05) in the group exposed to the highest copper concentration (70 µg/l) compared with the other tested groups, including the control. A significant (P ˂ 0.05) change in total glutathione content was recorded in liver and gills, although the reduced/oxidised ratio was not affected. Oxidative damage to lipids increased significantly (P ˂ 0.05) with increasing copper concentration in liver and kidney. The results demonstrate the deleterious influence of copper on common carp even at low, environmentally relevant concentrations. Keywords: metals, fish, antioxidant defence, pesticides Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 35-50 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8681-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8681-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8681-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: H.W. Myung Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: A.J. Lee Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: J.Y. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: J.H. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: K.D. Eom Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: H.J. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: S.H. Do Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: H.Y. Kim Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Author-Name: D.J. Chung Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Title: Secondary abdominal pregnancy with foetal mummification diagnosed using computed tomography in a dog: a case report Abstract: An intact female Maltese dog, rescued two months previously, and weighing 2.7 kg, was presented for ovariohysterectomy. There were no typical clinical signs and evidences of parturitions. A firm abdominal mass was palpated, which was identified as a round-shaped radiopaque mass in survey radiography. The mass was tentatively diagnosed as an extrauterine foetus with mummification on computed tomography (CT). Surgical removal of the mass and ovariohysterectomy were performed. Histopathological examination yielded a final diagnosis of abdominal ectopic pregnancy Keywords: ectopic pregnancy, mummified foetus, vertebral column, CT, dog Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 51-55 Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/8682-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8682-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201601-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:61:y:2016:i:1:id:8682-VETMED