Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) emerged in late 2019 and has since caused a global pandemic. Experimental studies and sporadic reports have confirmed susceptibility of dogs and cats to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. However, the importance of pet animals in the epidemiology of this infection is unclear. This study reports on a first large‐scale serosurvey of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in dogs and cats in Europe. From 26 February 2020, just one day after the first confirmed human case of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in Croatia, to 15 June 2020, dog and cat serum samples were collected from animals admitted to three veterinary facilities in Croatia. Additionally, on 25 May 2020, a total of 122 serum samples from employees of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb were collected. Total of 656 dogs and 131 cat serum samples were tested using an in‐house microneutralisation test (MNT). Human serum samples, as well as 172 randomly selected, dog sera were tested using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA‐positive human sera were subsequently tested using MNT. Neutralising antibodies were confirmed in 0.76% cats and 0.31% dogs. ELISA reactivity was recorded in 7.56% tested dog sera. On the other hand, 5.19% of administrative, basic and pre‐clinical sciences department personnel and 5.13% of animal health service providers and laboratory personnel tested ELISA positive. Neutralising antibodies were not confirmed in any of the human samples. In conclusion, seropositivity among pet animals in Croatia is low, especially when compared to results from China. A small number of seropositive animals with a low titre of neutralising antibodies suggest infections are rare and are following infections in the human population. Additionally, contact with animals does not seem to be an occupational risk for veterinary practitioners.

The inclusion of phenolic compounds enhanced growth performance, decreased lipid oxidation, decreased cholesterol value and increased beneficial fatty acids content. Positive effects varied depending on phenolic compound used and, therefore, it would be interesting to further investigate synergistic effects of investigated phenolic compound.

Herein we present the synthesis of versatile amidino substituted benzothiazole 3-10 and benzimidazole 12-19 derivatives substituted with the variable number of hydroxy and methoxy groups. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were explored for their antioxidative activity in vitro by using three biological assays, namely DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. The obtained results indicated that the variable number of hydroxy groups together with the type of the amidino substituent strongly influenced the antioxidative activity and reducing power of tested compounds. The most promising antioxidative activity showed trihydroxy substituted compounds 6, 10, 15 and 19. In general, it was noticed that unsubstituted amidino group induced the more pronounced activity in comparison to derivatives bearing 2-imidazolinyl group.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of different dietary n6/n3 ratios and DHA/EPA addition on the testis histology, antioxidative status and lipogenesis of streptozotocin-treated rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). The rats were divided into five groups: CON (n6/n3 ratio, 7), CON-DM1 (STZ; n6/n3 ratio, 7), N3-DM1 (STZ; n6/n3 ratio, 1), N6-DM1 (STZ; n6/n3 ratio, 60) and DHA-DM1 (STZ; n6/n3 ratio, 1; added DHA/EPA). Antioxidative status was improved in the DHA-DM1 group. Seminiferous tubule diameter, testicular pathohistological scoring and total lipid content were improved in the N6-DM1 group compared to the other streptozotocin-treated groups. Streptozotocin treatment induced changes in testis fatty acid profile depending on n6/n3 ratio. The fatty acid profile of N6-DM1 group was characterised by similar or increased values for n6 fatty acids compared to the CON group, while the DHA-DM1 group had the lowest content of n6 fatty acids. The content of n3 fatty acids was increased in the N3-DM1 and DHA-DM1 groups. These results suggest that a n6/n3 ratio could significantly influence testicular antioxidative status, histology and lipogenesis and that these effects vary depending on the supplemented fatty acid.

Crossbreeding of Holstein cattle with bulls of other breeds has garnered increasing interest with respect to efforts to improve performance traits and to decrease problems with fertility and health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of the fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene on milk production traits and fatty acid composition of Simmental and first-generation Holstein × Simmental crossbred cows. A total of 105 cows (72 Simmental and 33 crossbred Holstein) were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method and their fatty acid profiles were analysed. The crossbred Holstein cows with diplotype TW/AR had significantly higher fat content and yield compared to the purebred Simmental cows of the same diplotype. The Holstein × Simmental cows with the diplotype AR/AR were also characterised by significantly lower content of C16:0 and saturated fatty acids, but higher C18:1n9, monounsaturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid content compared to the same diplotype of the Simmental cattle. These results indicate that with accurate breeding plans, crossbreeding Holstein cows with Simmental bulls could be directed towards a more desirable fatty acid composition of milk and dairy products.

Macedonian Veterinary ReviewDalmatian turkey is a slow growing breed kept in free range systems. It is a type of "old fashioned poultry" whose meat is present on the market and accepted by consumers. However, no information about its meat quality and fatty acid profile is available. The chemical composition of the meat was influenced by gender and meat type and these differences could be important from the consumer's point of view. Fatty acid composition was characterized by the predominance of n6 fatty acids, especially C18:2n6 and a high n6/n3 ratio. Increased time of storage strongly reduced the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC PUFA) and increased atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices (AI and TI) in thigh tissue. The content of beneficial n3 PUFA was influenced by meat type, with lower values of C18:3n3 and higher values of LC PUFA in the breast compared to the thighs. The potential intake of LC PUFA of comercial turkey in the human diet was lower in comparison to poultry fed with complete feed mixtures. An interesting fact was the higher DHA values in comparison with DPA values in breast tissue, which is characteristic of old poultry breeds. The Dalmatian turkey is a highly valued traditional product and an important archaic breed for gene preservation and biodiversity. Nevertheless, Dalmatian turkey meat could be even further improved by minimal dietary manipulation to become a product with additional health promoting effects.

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