The aim of this study was to compare recommendations for vitamin E supplementation regarding high polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and to compare the bioactivity of RRR- and all-rac-α-tocopherol with respect to oxidative stress in vivo and the oxidative stability of broiler meat. Fifty male broilers were divided into 5 groups. All groups received diets with a high inclusion of fat (7.5%), one with palm fat and the others with linseed oil, which were either unsupplemented or supplemented with vitamin E to contain in total 85 or 200 IU of vitamin E as all-rac-α-tocopherol and 85 IU as RRR-α-tocopherol. Oxidative stress in vivo was studied by measuring the DNA damage; measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma, liver, and breast muscle; and analyzing the antioxidant capacity of the lipid-soluble compounds, total antioxidant status of plasma, and antioxidant enzyme assays. The tocopherols in plasma, liver, and breast muscle were also analyzed. In vitro oxidative stability was studied by measuring MDA in fresh, stored, and heat-treated breast meat. Linseed oil, as opposed to palm fat, induced DNA fragmentation and MDA formation. Both forms and concentrations of vitamin E reduced DNA damage and breast muscle MDA. The groups receiving 200 IU of all-rac-α-tocopherol and 85 IU of RRR-α-tocopherol had much higher values for antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble compounds than did the controls. No differences were observed in the values of antioxidant enzymes. The α-tocopherol levels in tissues and plasma were significantly influenced by the level of α-tocopherol supplementation. Malondialdehyde formation in meat from the vitamin E-supplemented groups was decreased in comparison with that from the control linseed oil group. We conclude that both vitamin E concentrations were insufficient to prevent all harmful effects of lipid oxidation in vivo and that both were equally effective. On the contrary, to ensure good stability of meat lipids, higher vitamin E supplementation is needed, especially after heat treatment. The results of in vivo oxidative stress and meat lipid oxidation confirmed the currently accepted bioactivity of the RRR-α- to all-rac-α-tocopherol ratio of 1.39 in in vivo and in vitro systems.

Although we only included histologically proven cases of IgAV, the annual incidence rate of 5·1 per 100,000 adults is 3-6-times higher than previously reported.

1. This study examined the effect of α-tocopherol (α-T), sweet chestnut wood extract (SCW) and their combination on oxidative stress in vivo and oxidative stability of meat in broilers given diets rich in PUFA. 2. A total of 60 male broilers were individually caged and divided into 6 groups of 10. The C-PALM group received a diet with 7·5% palm fat and the other 5 groups with 7·5% linseed oil. The linseed oil groups were either un-supplemented (C-LIN) or supplemented with α-T or/and SCW as follows: αT-85 (C-LIN diet + 68 IU vit E as all-rac-α-T/kg), αT-200 (C-LIN diet + 183 IU vit E as all-rac-α-T/kg), SCW (C-LIN diet + 3 g SCW/kg) and αT-SCW (C-LIN diet + 68 IU vit E as all-rac-α-T/kg + 3 g SCW/kg). Different parameters of oxidative stress were measured. 3. Linseed oil induced DNA fragmentation and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, while α-T reduced both parameters, and SCW reduced the DNA damage. A combination (αT-SCW) also reduced plasma MDA. Larger antioxidant capacity of lipid soluble compounds were recorded in groups αT-85, αT-200 and αT-SCW than in the controls but there were no differences between these groups in antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant status. A combination (αT-SCW) increased tocopherol concentrations in breast muscle and in comparison to the C-LIN group MDA concentrations were reduced in groups αT-85, αT-200 and αT-SCW. 4. It can be concluded that neither of the α-T concentrations were able to prevent all the negative effects of lipid oxidation in vivo and only high concentrations of α-T improved the stability of meat. With the exception of DNA damage, SCW had no impact on in vivo and in vitro measured markers of oxidative stress but may have a sparing or regenerating effect on α-T.

The effect of linseed oil supplementation on performance, fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of linseed oil supplementation on performance, fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits. Twelve male SIKA rabbits were divided into two groups. The control group (n = 4) received commercial diet and the linseed group (n = 8) received commercial diet containing 9% of linseed oil, which was sprayed onto the pellet. rabbits were slaughtered at 115 days of age, 52 days after the start of the experiment. Live weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were recorded. The fatty acid composition of muscle, adipose tissue and liver was determined by the in situ transesterification method and gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-fId). In order to evaluate the oxidative status of rabbits, the malondialdehyde (mdA) concentration in plasma, liver and muscle were measured. The results show that it is possible to enhance proportion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (pufA) in rabbit's muscle, adipose tissue and liver by adding linseed oil in the diet without detrimental effect on productive performance. Linseed oil addition improved fatty acid composition in all tissues by increased pufA proportion and decreased proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid. Linseed oil also reduced n-6/n-3 pufA ratio in all tissues. However, linseed oil addition led to significantly higher mdA concentrations in plasma, liver and muscle. Since pufA are highly susceptible to oxidation, further research is needed to focus on protecting animal and their products from lipid oxidation by adding various natural antioxidants to the diet.

The aim of this study was to estimate perinatal and neonatal mortality rates from day 2 to day 30 in Slovenian Holstein Friesian population and to assess risk factors for increased losses. Data from 420,556 calves of Holstein Friesian cows born in Slovenia in the period from January 2005 to December 2016 were analysed. Data were obtained from the Central register of bovine animals. The average perinatal calf mortality, including abortions and stillbirths, was 8.24% and neonatal mortality from day 2 to day 30 4.28%. The most important effects on perinatal calf mortality rate were the number of calves at calving and the age of dam at calving, while herd size and calving season were the most influential in the neonatal period from day 2 to day 30.

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Various floor systems are used in cattle housing with different characteristics in terms of roughness, abrasion, wetness, bedding material, ease of cleaning, etc. Thus, the activity and welfare of the animals are greatly influenced by the type of floor. The floor of the barn can influence the development of health diseases, technopathies and the production and quality of animal products. Therefore, in the present case study, we studied the effects of two different flooring systems on the performance and on some behavioral and cleanliness parameters in heifers. Two floor systems (concrete slatted flooring (CSF) and high welfare flooring (HWF)) and two breeds (Charolais and Limousin) were used in the experiment. Heifers on HWF tended to show a higher frequency of grooming, rubbing and aggression than those on CSF, but not of standing, lying, eating, drinking, rumination, resting, stereotypies and covering of the animals. In addition, animals housed on HWF also appeared to show higher cleanliness than those housed on CSF. Results indicated that animals housed on HWF exhibited more social and self-care behaviors, suggesting that animals housed on such floors show more species-specific behaviors and have higher welfare.