Metabolic disorders in animals are one of the most important problems in modern cattle production. The paper presents results characterising the functional state of the liver in dairy cows with clinical ketosis. The study was conducted on 17 Holstein cows (9 of them were clinically healthy with negative test for ketone bodies in urine and 8 with positive test) in their second to fourth lactation with milk yield above 8,000 kg per previous lactation. Conducted research has shown that cows affected with ketosis, had hypoglycaemia, dysproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, increased liver enzymes and higher blood content of aromatic and sulfur-containing amino acids. Herewith the activity of cholinesterase and phospholipids were decreased. Albumins-globulins ratio and esterified to total cholesterol ratio was decreased in conditions associated with liver pathology due to clinical ketosis. Sick cows had signs of secondary osteodystrophy. Obtained results allowed us concluding that dairy cows ketosis caused significant changes in structural and functional state of liver, associated with abnormalities in of serum proteins synthesis, disturbed metabolism of amino acids, lipids and calcium.

Aim. To investigate the plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF, somatomedin C), triiodothyronine, thyroxine and insulin in cows during prepartum and postpartum periods. Methods. Enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay, clinical and statistical methods. Results. It was demonstrated that the plasma concentration of IGF, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and insulin is lower in postpartum cows compared to the interlactation ones. Strong positive correlation dependence (r = 0.7) between the levels of thyroxine and somatomedin C was found on the 2 nd –4 th day after calving. The plasma concentration of all the investigated hormones increased in cows on the 10-14 th day of postpartum period and remained stable until days 30–40. Strong correlation dependence between the levels of somatomedin C and insulin (r = 0.7) was found on the 10- 14 th day of the postpartum period. Conclusions. It was determined that somatomedin C is one of the energetic balance regulators in dairy cows.

The endocrine system plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the non-infectious pathology of dairy cows. However, the role of a number of hormones in pathology is not clear. These hormones include insulin-like growth factors and leptin. The insulin-like growth factor is synthesized predominantly in the liver in response to an increase in the level of somatotropic hormone in the blood. According to its physiological properties, it is close to insulin, structurally similar, has common receptors that trigger the same chain of reactions: stimulates transport of amino acids and glucose in the muscles, increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin, in adipose tissue, transport glucose, oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide, the inclusion of glucose in lipids. Leptin is synthesized by adipocytes, and its main physiological function is to reduce the synthesis of macroergic compounds and increase energy expenditure. Circulating in the blood, it helps to maintain an optimal level of glucose, which is necessary for the energy needs of the body. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of insulin-like growth factor, leptin, glucose, pyruvate and lactate in the blood of cows under secondary osteodystrophy, ketosis and hepatodistrophy. This will give an opportunity to better understand the pathogenesis and create theoretical preconditions for the development of informative diagnostic tests and effective means of treatment. The experiment was conducted on dairy cows, analogues by age, breed, productivity and physiological state. According to clinical features, urine analysis and values of biochemical parameters of blood of experimental cows were divided into four groups: 1 – clinically healthy cows, 2 – patients with osteodystrophy, 3 – patients with ketosis, 4 – patients with hepatodistrophy. The obtained results of research indicate that the internal non-contagious pathology in dairy cows deficiency of exchange energy is recorded, which induces an increase in the activity of gluconeogenesis and is expressed by lowering the concentration of glucose and increasing the content of pyruvate and lactate. At the same time, a decrease in the level of insulin-like growth factor and leptin was found. The lowest level of insulin-like growth factor and leptin was determined by ketosis. The decrease in the level of tissue hormones in the blood plasma of cows under osteodystrophy was within the statistical error.

This research aimed to determine the influence of stress of various etiologies in pigs caused by transportation and pre-slaughter conditions on meat quality. For this purpose, pigs were divided into 11 groups within two meat processing enterprises, depending on the duration of transportation (short, long without breaks and long with breaks) and the conditions of keeping animals before slaughter. Also, within the two groups were created two subgroups with pigs of different breeds. A total of 156 pigs were studied. Blood was collected from all pigs to determine cortisol and lactate levels, and a sample of meat from the longest back muscle. The pH of the meat was determined at different stages of its maturation, and the weight loss of the sample was determined. As a result of the research, it was found that the highest quality pork was obtained from pigs that experienced lower levels of stress before slaughter. Keeping pigs for 10 – 14 hours before slaughter without access to water and food resulted in higher stress levels, which were probably expressed in higher blood concentrations of cortisol and lactate. Pigs’ access to food and water during pre-slaughter retention allows for high-quality meat by reducing the influence of stress. Pigs’ access to water before pre-slaughter does not affect the stress level but positively affects the loss of meat weight during maturation. The higher the concentration of lactate in pigs’ blood, the faster the pH of the meat decreases after slaughter, which negatively affects its quality and moisture retention. If there is a long-term transport of pigs, there is no rest stop that can significantly reduce stress levels in pigs. Duration of transportation of pigs does not correlate with stress levels, as the conditions before slaughter content.

In dairy cows, metabolic disorders are mainly found in the last weeks of the dry period and the first weeks after calving (transit period). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the hormonal regulation of the concentration of glucose and its derivatives in the blood of dairy cows during the transit period. The study was conducted on cows of 2-4 lactations, with a capacity of 7.8-8.2 thousand kg of milk for previous lactation. Blood for research was taken from cows 7-10 days before calving and Days 2-4, Days 10-14, and Days 30-40 after calving. The concentration of glucose in blood plasma was determined by the glucose oxidase method, pyruvate − by the modified Umbright method, lactate – by reaction with paraoxydyphenyl, and hormone content – by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was established that high-performance dairy cows during the transit period experience substantial changes in carbohydrate metabolism and the functional state of organs and systems, which are aimed at ensuring high productivity. Thus, hypoglycaemia is found in cows within two weeks after calving. At the same time, with a decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood plasma of cows, the content of pyruvate and lactate increases, as well as the lactate/pyruvate ratio, which indicates an increase in gluconeogenesis. Negative energy balance and increased gluconeogenesis lead to a decrease in the synthesis of insulin and insulin-like growth factor. Compared to the final dry period, on Days 2-4 of lactation, the concentration of leptin in the blood plasma of cows decreased threefold and stayed at a low level until Day 40 of lactation. Plasma cortisol levels were highest on Days 2-4 and 10-14 of lactation. Intensive cortisol synthesis during the period of energy deficiency increases gluconeogenesis, which is possible due to lipolysis and proteolysis. In the first days after calving, the content of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the blood plasma of cows decreased. Inhibition of thyroid hormone production is a consequence of the physiological regulatory features of this period. Thus, in highly productive cows during the transit period, attention should be paid to maintaining vital body functions and their well-coordinated endocrine regulation, which will ensure a physiologically balanced metabolic rate, successful calving, high milk productivity, and animal health

Institute of animal biology of NAAS, V. Stus str., 38, Lviv, 79034

Background and Aim: Despite the positive aspects of consuming dairy products, there are also some reservations. Recently, a large number of publications have demonstrated convincing evidence of a relationship between the intake of dairy products and the development of cancer in humans. This study aimed to determine the level of insulin-like growth factor [IGF], which can cause cancer in consumers, in the milk of farm animals (cows, goats, and sheep) obtained at different stages of lactation. Materials and Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and statistical method were used for data processing. The IGF level in milk was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Milk was collected from cows of Holstein and Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed, goats of Alpine and Saanen breed, and sheep of Tsigai and East Friesian breed. Milk samples in cows were collected at the beginning, on the peak, and at the end of lactation. Results: The obtained results showed that the highest IGF level was detected in milk obtained at the beginning of lactation, but its level depended on the animal species. More specifically, the highest level of the hormone was typical for goat's milk and for cow's milk of Holstein breed. Slightly lower values were revealed in the milk of cows of Black-and-White Ukrainian breed and sheep. During lactation, the absolute content of IGF in the milk of all studied animal species decreased. It should be noted that the most pronounced decrease in the IGF level in milk during lactation was noted in sheep (25-40 times), and minor changes were observed in goats (12-14 times). The results also showed that there were individual variations in the IGF level in milk in farm animals. Conclusion: The highest IGF level was noted in goat's milk, and the lowest level was observed in sheep's milk. Cow's milk, in this regard, had an intermediate IGF level. The level of this particular hormone depends on the period of lactation and the individual characteristics of the animal. It is advisable to include IGF as one of the assessment factors of dairy products' safety because this hormone can cause cancer in consumers of milk and dairy products.

The article provides data on the comparative assessment of the study of acute and subacute dermal toxicity of powder for wounds made based on iodoform by various methods. The research was conducted using the classic method and according to the methodology of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD No. 410). When studying acute skin toxicity using the traditional method, it was established that the drug under study belongs to the IV toxicity class (low-toxic substances) and, when determined by the way according to the UGS (GHS) – to category 5. During long-term dermal application of powder for wounds, no significant changes in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, the average concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocytes (MCHC), the average volume of erythrocytes (MCV), the average content of hemoglobin in erythrocytes (MCH) and several platelets were established by the classical method. In addition, a slight increase in creatinine, urea, and the activity of ALT and AST was established against a slight decrease in the total protein content. When studying the acute toxicity of powder for wounds following the OECD method No. 410, it was confirmed that long-term dermal application of the investigated agent caused a slight increase in the weight coefficients of the liver, heart, and spleen and a probable increase in the weight coefficients of the kidneys against the background of a decrease in the body weight of animals. Also, in animals of all experimental groups, the number of erythrocytes increased by 0.6 %, 5.1 %, and 10.5 % (Р < 0.05), respectively, and the number of leukocytes decreased by 15.9 % (Р < 0.05), 21.8 % (Р < 0.05), 23.4 % (Р < 0.05), mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) by 2.4 %, 4.2 %, 9.2 % (Р < 0,05). When determining the biochemical indicators of blood serum, it was established that using the research product for 28 days caused a slight decrease in the total protein content in animals of the I, II, and III research groups. In addition, the animals of all experimental groups showed an increase in the level of creatinine, respectively, by – 10.6 % (Р < 0.05), 13.3 % (Р < 0.05), 15.4 % (Р < 0.05), urea at – 3.3 %, 7.3 % (Р < 0.05), 12.6 % (Р < 0.05).