Selenium is an essential trace element in the diet of humans and domesticated animals. It is a component of more than 30 selenoproteins, which play a significant role in the body. Selenoproteins protect cells from damage inflicted by free radicals, the cause of many chronic diseases. They also participate in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, control reproductive functions and exert neuroprotective effects. In addition to its anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, selenium stimulates the immune system. The role of selenium is aided by vitamin E and sulfur-containing amino acids. Selenium deficiency contributes to pathological changes in farm animals, which incur large financial losses each year. Low selenium levels can lead to the development of nutritional muscular dystrophy, also known as white muscle disease, in lambs, kids, foals, calves and poultry from birth to 3 months of age. Selenium deficiency may also cause exudative diathesis in poultry as well as dietary necrotic liver degeneration and mulberry heart disease in pigs. Parturition problems resulting from reduced tension of the muscular layer of the uterus, postparturient paraplegia, placental retention and purulent inflammations of the uterine lining are also attributed to low selenium levels. Selenium deficiency contributes to the formation of ovarian cysts and increased embryonic mortality in the first 3-4 weeks after insemination. Selenium and vitamin E facilitate neutrophil migration to the mammary gland, and they enhance the bactericidal effects of neutrophils, thus shortening and alleviating the symptoms of clinical mastitis. Selenium poisoning is rarely encountered, and it most often results from an overdose of selenium supplements. The most common forms of selenosis are chronic selenosis, referred to as alkali disease, and acute selenosis, popularly known as blind staggers.

Twenty bitches with acute endometritis-pyometra complex (EPC) and 20 clinically healthy bitches were examined. The following coagulation parameters were determined in haemostatic evaluations: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen concentrations (FBG), D-dimer concentrations (D-D), antithrombin activity (AT), and blood platelet counts (PLT). Morphological and biochemical blood parameters were also analysed. Examinations of animals affected by EPC revealed blood coagulation and fibrinolytic disorders, and the noted results (PT 13.7 ±1.06 s, aPTT 23.4 ±1.04 s, TT 15.6 ±0.68 s, FBG 2.2 g/L, D-D 785.4 ±103.05 μg/L, AT 111.1 ±13.51%, PLT 169.30 ±126.31 103/μL) point to a high risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The findings indicate that the coagulation parameters of bitches affected by EPC should be analysed before treatment as the noted disorder can significantly complicate therapy and ovariohysterectomy, and endanger the patients' life.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium is one of the most dangerous crop diseases, which has a wide geographic distribution and causes severe economic losses in the production of major cereal species. The infection leads to the accumulation of mycotoxins in grains, which compromises its suitability for human and animal consumption. The study demonstrated that grain samples from warmer regions of Poland, including Sulejów and Tomaszów Bolesławicki (results differed across years of the study), were colonized mainly by F. graminearum and were most highly contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). Samples from Northeastern Poland, i.e., Ruska Wieś, which is located in a cooler region, were characterized by a predominance of Fusarium species typical of the cold climate, i.e., Fusarium poae and Penicillium verrucosum. A Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed that the severity of grain infection with F. avenaceum/F. tricinctum was affected by the mean daily temperature and high humidity in May, and the corresponding values of the correlation coefficient were determined at R = 0.54 and R = 0.50. Competitive interactions were observed between the F. avenaceum/F. tricinctum genotype and DON-producing F. culmorum and F. graminearum, because the severity of grain infections caused by these pathogens was bound by a negative correlation.

Zearalenone (ZEN) widely contaminates animal feed of plant origin. The recommended safe concentrations of ZEN in feeds for various animal species are set mainly based on the mycotoxin's hormonal properties (NOEL). Our growing knowledge about biologically active concentrations of ZEN, molecular mechanisms and cells/tissues targeted by ZEN indicates that the harmful effects exerted by this mycotoxin on animals may be far greater than previously believed. This experiment was performed on pre-pubertal gilts divided into a control group (n=9) and an experimental group (ZEN, n=9). The control group received placebo, whereas the experimental group was administered ZEN at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg feed (equivalent to 5 μg/kg BW/day) for 42 days. On days 14, 28 and 42 blood samples were collected from the animals to determine the concentrations of selected zearalenols, serum biochemical and haematological parameters. Conjugated ZEN was found in the blood serum of the experimental gilts. Changes in the analysed biochemical parameters included a transient increase in albumin and cholesterol levels. A statistically significant increase in the concentrations of neutrophilic and acidophilic granulocytes was observed in the white blood cell system. The results indicate that long-term per os exposure of pre-pubertal gilts to low doses of ZEN (below NOEL) has a modulatory effect on liver function and white blood cells.

Vascular toxicity induced by xenobiotics is associated with dysfunctions or damage to endothelial cells, changes in vascular permeability or dysregulation of the vascular redox state. The aim of this study was to determine whether per os administration of zearalenone (ZEN) influences selected hemostatic parameters in prepubertal gilts. This study was performed on female gilts divided into a control group which received placebo and an experimental group which received ZEN at a dose of 5.0 µg·kg−1 b.w. × day−1. On days 14, 28 and 42, blood samples were collected from the animals for analyses of hematological, coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters, nitric oxide, von Willebrand factor antigen content and catalase activity. The results demonstrated that the treatment of gilts with ZEN at a dose below no observable adverse effect level did not affect the primary hemostasis and the blood coagulation cascade. However, ZEN could have temporarily affected the selected indicators of endothelial cell function (increase of von Willebrand factor, decrease of nitric oxide levels) and the oxidative status plasma (decrease of catalase activity) of the exposed gilts. In summary, these results suggest that the adaptive response to ZEN-exposure can induce a transient imbalance in the vascular system by acting on vascular endothelial cells.

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