Herbicides and food additives are included in many food products for humans. Non-used products or products beyond their expiry date are deposited in places of utilizatioin of solid municipal wastes, where they can take effects on the organisms of mouse-like rodents. Among the herbicides, glyphosphate takes first place in the world for volume of production, and is the most intensely used in agricultural farming. The discussion about negative impact on the organisms of mammals, especially against the background of using various substances and environmental factors, continues. In this study, we determined the combined effect of glyphosphate and food additives on the organism of laboratory animals, which manifested in changes in body weight, condition and indices of mass of the internal organs and blood parameters. Four groups of laboratory male rats were formed, which over 42 days received: unlimited access to clean water; 1% aqueous solution of glyphosate; 1% solution of glyphosphate and 1% solution sodium benzoate; 1% solution of glyphosphate with 1% solution of saccharin. Glyphosphate and glyphosphate with sodium benzoate and saccharin significantly reduced the daily increases in body weight of animals compared to the control group. The studied substances have notable suppressive effect on the immune system and haematopoiesis in general, which is manifested in reduce of relative mass of the thymus and spleen against the background of increase in the amount of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. The inhibition of haematopoiesis is indicated by decrease in the amount of erythrocytes, neurophils and hemoglobin of blood of animals from the experimental groups. The impact on the digestive system of glyphosphate and food additives is indicated by occurance of the effect of “irritation” of mucous membranes, and, as a result, disorders in absorption followed by the disorder in metabolic processes. A dysbalance occurs in enzymic systems of the organism, which is manifested in distrophic processes, especially in the liver parenchyma, indicated by the activity of blood enzymes (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase), total number and ratio of proteins of blood plasma. We determined the impact of glyphosphate and its mixes with benzoate and saccharin on the pancreas, which manifests in severe pancreatitis with steep increase in the level of glucose of blood. The results of the study allow us to state that mixture of glyphosphate and food additives can cause toxic effect in animals and humans, which often contact with herbicides.

Pharmacological effects of the medicinal plant Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. 1868 (Araliaceae) are related to presence of over 150 secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, sterols, polysaccharides, terpenoid saponins and terpenoid acids, though the main biologically active substances of A. elata are saponins and flavonoids. Some clinical tests and experimental studies have proved the influence of A. elata on the organism through increase in physical work capacity, exerting an anti-stress effect against a broad range of harmful factors, including stress from cold, immobilization, ultraviolet radiation and low pressure. The literature also reports the anti-ulcer, anti-secretory, antifungal, anti-tumour, and antimicrobial activity of preparations from this plant. In our laboratory experiment, we determined that ethanolic tincture of A. elata has no effect on the intensity of growth of body weight of young rats against the background of excessive content of fat in their diet. Excessive fat-feeding of male rats leads mostly to disorders in the functioning of the liver and development of steatosis. This was accompanied by reduction in relative mass of the liver, increase in activity of hepatic enzymes, dysproteinemia, increase in the level of bilirubin and decrease in the level of urea. Additional use of 0.1% ethanol led to impaired functioning of the kidneys, reduction of their relative mass, signs of dehydration, increase in the level of creatinine and total calcium in the blood. Use of ethanolic tincture of A. elata mitigates negative excess of fat, is accompanied by normalization of indices of mass of the organs, less notable dysproteinemia, impairment in the level of creatinine, glucose, urea, cholesterol, bilirubin and total calcium. Ethanolic tincture of A. elata has a low immunosuppressive action, against the background of a high fat diet it leads to increase in the amount of typical Escherichia сoli, decrease in Еnterococcus spp. and Enterobacter spp., significant decrease and in high concentrations (0.1% ethanolic tincture of A. elata) elimination of bacteria of Clostridium and Klebsiella genera, and also various yeast fungi in the intestine. In the examined male rats, against the background of excess of fat in the diet, no serious changes in the composition of the normal gut microbiota (Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Proteus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Candida spp.) was observed, nor were any lactose-negative enterobacteria (Citrobacter genus) found. Perspectives of further research include determining histological, histochemical and immune-histological changes in the organs of laboratory animals under the effect of ethanolic tincture of A. elata following excessive accumulation of fat.

Goods of plastic, due to their durability, universality and economical properties are broadly used in all spheres of life. On the whole, polymers are inert and nontoxic, but in the process of their production, various additives are used, which on contact or introduction into an organism has a negative effect on it. In our study, we determined the impact of some types of plastic (polyvinyl chloride, polysterene and polyethylene) on the organism of laboratory animals according to changes in their body weight, indices of mass of the internal organs, and blood parameters. For the experiment, we formed four groups of white male mice at the age of 3 weeks and average body weight of 50 g. For each group, we used different litter. For group I, the litter was sawdust; and for the other groups we added plastic products in different volumes to the sawdust; for group II finely cut polyvinyl chloride, for group III cut polyethylene, and for group IV granules of polystyrene. Every 3 days, we determined the body weight of the animals, and 32 days later we determined mass of the organs, clinical and biochemical parameters of the blood. Addition of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polystyrene into the substrate for mice did not have a significant effect on tempi of growth of body weight, and also relative mass of heart and lungs. Polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene have an immune-suppressive effect, and polyvinyl chloride affects both central and peripheral organs, and polystyrene mostly harms the peripheral organs. All used types of plastic cause leukocytopenia, following which neutrophilia of band neutrophils and monocytosis takes place as a result of damage to the biological barriers. We determined the systemic toxic effect of the studied types of plastic on the internal organs, which manifested in increase in their mass (liver, kidneys), steep increase in the activity of liver enzymes (AST, ALT), simultaneous decrease in activity of alkaline phosphatase and content of cholysterol and glucose in the blood serum of the mice. Also polyvinyl chlorine, polyethylene and polystyrene cause degeneration of the epithelium of the uriniferous tubule, which is manifested in reduction of globulins and creatinine in the blood of animals from the experimental groups following increase in relative mass of the kidneys. The results of our research allow us to state that different types of plastic can cause toxic effect on animals, as well as people who are in frequent contact with them.

Glyphosate is the main component of many broadly used herbicides due to its safety for humans and animals. It is known that the remains of glyphosate are present in allowable doses in fodders and food products, and, consumrd in low doses, it is found in insignificant amounts in milk, eggs and even in the internal organs (liver, kidneys) of animals. For determining combined impact of glyphosate and the commonest food additives on the composition of microbiota of animals, four groups of laboratory male rats were formed, which during 42 days consumed pure water without any restrictions; 1% aqueous solution of glyphosate; 1% solution of glyphosate in combination with 1% solution of sodium benzoate; 1% solution of glyphosate with 1% solution of saccharin. After killing the animals, 1 g of feces were collected and by serial dilutions with 10–1 to 10–9 sterile physiologic solution, a microbiological analysis was undertaken. Out of each dilution an inoculation of the studied material to the elective growth media was performed, by 0.1 cm3, then the material was incubated in a thermostat (24–72 hours, temperature 37 °С), the results were recorded after 24–72 h. The microorganisms were identified by studying morphological parameters, tinctorial, cultural and enzymic properties. Results are provided in CFU/g (colony-forming unit per gramm) of feces. The impact of glyphosate and glyphosate with food additives led to no changes in the number of Escherichia coli and emergence of this species of microorganism with changed enzymic activity. Also no changes occurred in the number of microorganisms of Bifidobactrium and Lactobacillus spp. Addition of glyphosate, and also glyphosate in combination with saccharin to the diet contributes to broader reproduction of microorganisms of Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas genera. Mixtures of glyphosate and food additives allow conditionally pathogenic yeast-like Candida fungi (Candida glabrata and C. albicans) to spread more widely in the intestine. Significant fluctuations in the number of Enterococcus spp. bacteria genus were observed: by 80 times within range of each of the three experimental groups of rats with addition of herbicide with benzoate and saccharin to the diet.

Succinic acid and its salts (succinates) positively affect the oxygenation of the internal environment, stabilize the structure and functional activity of mitochondria, and normalize the ion metabolism in the cell. Separate clinical studies and experimental surveys confirmed that having low toxicity succinic acid has well-manifested antioxidant, immunostimulating, adaptogenic properties. In this study, we determined the influence of succinic acid on the organism of laboratory animals against the backround of high-fat diet: the changes in body weight, indices of the mass of the internal organs, blood parameters and the changes in the intestinal microbiota were determined. For the experiment, we formed three experimental and three control groups of male white mice. The animals of the control group received 0.5% solution of succinic acid instead of water. In the experiment, we determined that succinic acid has no effect on the intensity of growth of weight of young mice against the background of excessive fat in their diet. Excessive consumption of fat by male mice leads to mainly disorders in the functioning of the liver, excretory and the immune systems. High-fat diet of mice is accompanied by impaired hepatic function, manifested in sharp hypoproteinemia due to globulins, increase in the activity of hepatic enzymes against the background of reduced activity of alkaline phosphatase, increase in the level of bilirubin, and decrease in glucose. Excess of fat in the diet leads to malfunctioning of the excretory system, manifested in the reduced index of kidneys’ weight, high content of creatinine and reduced level of urea in the blood. Addition of succinic acid has a positive effect on the functional condition of the liver and the kidneys, especially noticeable during long-term intake. High-fat diet causes disorders in the functioning of the organs of blood circulation and immune protection, accompanied by decrease in the relative mass of the thymus and spleen, low content of hemoglobin and the number of erythrocytes, but has no significant effect on the content of other cellular elements in the blood. By the middle of the experiment, succinic acid had exacerbated these processes compared to the control, but by the end of the experiment, by contrast, these processes were alleviated. Addition of the succinic acid to high-fat diet contributed to the change in the quantitative composition of the main representatives of the obligatory microbiota (Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and typical Escherichia coli) in the laboratory animals. Such changes in the intestinal microbiota may lead to such consequences as reproduction of the facultative microflora, and, thus, development of various diseases.

The article analyzes the regularities of the formation and development of the lymphoid lobules of the parenchyma of the somatic (Limphonodi cervicales superficiales) and visceral (L. jejunales) lymph nodes in domestic cattle in the fetal period of ontogenesis. We used routine histological techniques and author's modification of the impregnation of total median sections with silver nitrate. Visualization of various zones of lymphoid lobules was carried out taking into account the specific for different cell zones architectonics of reticular fibers. It has been established that signs of morphological heterogeneity of parenchyma of lymph nodes are first found in three month-old fetuses, which is associated with the concentration of lymphoid tissue along the marginal sinus. Separation of lymphoid lobules and their structural and functional differentiation are first detected in five month fetuses. In the lymphoid lobules of five month-old fetuses all structural and functional cell zones are observable, among which the regions of clonal proliferation of T and B lymphocytes are the least developed, and regions of the transit corridors for lymphocytes migrating medullary and the cords (zone of potential accumulation of plasmocytes and antibody formation) are the most developed. Structural and functional transformations of compartments in the prenatal period of ontogenesis are accompanied by a predominantly moderate increase of the relative volume of specialized T- and B-dependent zones of lobules, against a background of a gradual decrease of the volume of transit corridors for lymphocytes migrating and zone of potential accumulation of plasmocytes and antibody formation. Due to the small volume and relatively low rates of development of the lymphocytes clonal proliferation zones, the quantitative ratios of the cellular zones in lymphoid lobules of the lymph nodes of domestic cattle in prenatal ontogenesis remain relatively stable, while maintaining the maximum indices of the development of transit corridors for lymphocytes migration and medullary cords. Among the zones of lymphocytes clonal proliferation throughout the fetal period, T-dependent zones predominate, the relative volume of which is 5.0–7.5 times greater than the volume of B-dependent zones. Lymphoid lobules in the lymph nodes of the domestic cattle fetuses of all age groups are arranged along the marginal sinus in one row and have a polar structure due to the formation of lymph nodes at one pole of the lobules in the interfollicular zone. In the visceral lymph nodes (L. jejunum) of 8–9 month-old fetuses, individual lymph nodes can form in paracortical strands, on the border with the interfollicular zone.

The anatomy and features of the histological structure of the components of the eye of a one-humped camel were investigated. Ultrasound examinations of the eye, determination of the iridocorneal angle with a gynoscope were carried out on live animals in the clinic after the introduction of eye drops (xylocaine 2%, atropine sulfate 3%). The condition of the eye membranes was determined by histological methods. The studies were carried out on twenty eyeballs from ten clinically healthy adult camels, selected during slaughter in a meat processing enterprise. The anatomical and topographic features of the organ, its membranes and structures, absolute and relative mass, and linear measurements were determined. Thin histological sections of the eye wall were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, impregnated with silver nitrate, followed by examination under a microscope. In a one-humped camel, the eyelashes of both eyelids are very thick and long. The internal architectonics of the eyeball of a one-humped camel is similar to that of other animal species. The lens was found to be a transparent biconvex structure located inside the eyeball just behind the iris. The cornea of the eye occupies almost the entire visible part of the eye. The ciliary body is located behind the iris near the lens. The main functions of the ciliary body are the formation of intraocular fluid (aqueous humor), which fills the front of the eye. The ciliary body contains muscles that enable the eye to focus on objects located at different distances. A feature of the camel's eye is the very open iridocorneal angle. The retina is built up by nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye. The retina perceives light, generates impulses that pass through the optic nerve and are sent to the brain. The histological structure of the membranes of the eye was studied after applying routine methods. It has been established that the eyes are built by various types of tissues, in particular, epithelial (epithelium of the conjunctiva), dense loose connective tissue (the corneal substance itself), loose connective tissue and pigment tissue (choroid) and nervous tissue with a layer of melanocytes and keratinocytes.

Sausage products are the main type of meat products due to their high nutritional value and energy content, high gustatory qualities, long storage conditions and the possibility of their consumption without heat treatment. The main condition for the possibility of meat products commercialization is to achieve their safety when consumed by people. Microstructural analysis of smoked sausages was carried out using the samples of high-grade quality smoked sausages «Moskovksa» and «Braunschweigska» that were selected by means of control purchases in the retail chains of Dnipro city (Ukraine) from various manufacturers. The veterinary and sanitary examination of smoked sausages included the identification of five organoleptic and four techno-chemical criteria to identify the quality of raw materials and the product itself. Histological studies of the samples of sausages and analysis of sausage mince were carried out.  The study of microstructural analysis found that all samples of sausages are produced in compliance with organoleptic control standards and formulations prescribed in corresponding requirements documentation. It was established that the best sausage samples were «Moskovskaya» produced by meat-processing and packing plant of «Myasnaya Guildiya» trademark in Zhytomyr and «Braunschweigska» produced by «Alan» trademark. The analysis of sausage meat mass showed that manufacturers did not meet quantitative state ratio standards of aforementioned raw materials and the high-grade meat was replaced by low-grade canned or frozen meat. The smoked sausage forcemeat produced by «Alan» Ltd. mainly consist of rubbed meat, which may point to an attempt by the manufacturer to conceal the use of low-quality or low-grade raw materials. The smoked sausage samples of «Moskovskaya» produced by «Premia» trademark and «Braunschweigska» produced by «Farro» trademark exceeded the standard rate of fat tissue, while smoked sausages of «Dobrov» trademark exceeded the allowed content of the dense fibrous connective tissue.