Humic substances are currently being considered as a new feed component in replacement of antibiotic growth stimulators to improve growth and health in animals. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of humic substances to the feed at concentrations of 0.8% and 1.0% on the growth parameters, carcass yield, selected blood enzymes, minerals, and the bone quality in broiler chickens. One hundred fifty COBB 500 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into one control and two experimental groups (n = 50) with three replications (16, 16 and 17 per pen), and fattened for 35 days. The broilers of the experimental groups (H0.8 and H1.0) were fed commercial feed mixtures with added humic substances (at 8 g·kg-1 and 10 g·kg-1). The control group was fed a diet without the addition of humic substances. A slight increase in the final body weight and feed conversion ratio was noted in the experimental groups (P > 0.05). Significantly higher yields of breast and thigh meat (P < 0.05) were recorded for the experimental group H1.0. The blood cholesterol level was lower for both experimental groups. A lower concentration of alkaline-phosphatase was observed in group H1.0. A decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and calcium was recorded for group H0.8. A significantly higher content of calcium and lower content of phosphorus was found in the bones of experimental animals. The 1% addition of humic substances had a positive impact on growth parameters (P > 0.05), improved selected blood indices and increased the calcium content in the bones of broilers (P < 0.05).

Faixová, Z., ·. Faix, ª. Leng, P. Váczi, Z. Maková, R. Szabóová: Haematological, Blood and Rumen Chemistry Changes in Lambs Following Supplementation with Se-yeast. Acta Vet Brno 2007, 76: 3-8 The effects of feed supplementation with organic form of selenium (Se) on ruminal enzyme activities (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and GDH), blood enzyme activity (GPx), serum enzyme activities (LDH, CK) and haematological indicators were examined in lambs. Ten animals were divided into two groups and fed experimental diets for 3 months. The first group received a basic diet (BD) providing a daily intake 50.6 µg of Se only. The diet for the second group consisted of BD supplemented with selenium 0.3 mg·kg -1 DM in the form of Se-enriched yeast and giving a total daily intake 278 µg of Se per animal. Lambs of the second group which were fed additional Se had increased concentrations of Se in plasma (P < 0.001), greater activity of blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < 0.001) and lower activity of creatine kinase (CK) (P < 0.05) in serum. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P < 0.001) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (P < 0.001) in ruminal fluid were found to be significantly higher in Se-yeast group of lamb compared with the group given BD with no differences for Se concentration in ruminal fluid and ALT, AST and GGT activities. Total erythrocyte count and osmotic resistance of red blood cells were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in selenium-supplemented animals. White blood cell count was increased in lambs given BD (P < 0.05). It was concluded that Se supplementation can influence ruminal enzyme activities and cell membrane resistance of lambs.

Introduction. The virulence of Candida albicans is conditioned by several virulence factors, one of which is the formation of biofilm which reduces the sensitivity of the yeast to conventional antimycotics. This study determines the antifungal and antibiofilm activity of five essential oils (EOs) of the Lamiaceae family: Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Origanum vulgare, and Hyssopus officinalis. Materials and method. In the preliminary research, the antifungal effect of eachof the EOs was tested in the concentration range of 200-0.4 mg/mL on planktonic Candida albicans (C. albicans) cells. A total of 13 C. albicans clinical isolates and one reference strain were evaluated on biofilm formation. Results. Nine isolates (69.2%) showed weak biofilm production and four strains (30.8%) were detected as moderate biofilm producers. The EOs of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare were seen as effective antifungal agents on planktonic cells with the MIC 0.4 mg/mL. The highest average MIC values were recorded in Salvia officinalis EO (24.0 and 14.8 mg/mL). All isolates were used to determine EOs efficacy on the inhibition of adherence phase and biofilm formation. The biofilm production of C. albicans after exposition by EOs was quantitatively examined by crystal violet dye. Conclusions.The most effective for adherence phase and biofilm formation were EOs of Origanum vulgare (0.1 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL) and Thymus vulgaris (0.1 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL). The obtained results show that EOs of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare are potential agents for antifungal treatment or prophylaxis by reducing the resistance of pathogen.

The antifungal activities of 14 selected essential oils (at the concentrations of 0.5 %, 5 %, and 30 %) against the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis (18 isolates and one reference strain) were investigated. The isolates of M. pachydermatis were obtained from swabs of external ear canals of healthy dogs using sterile swabs. The determination of the efficacy was based on a modified disc diffusion method (CLSI M44-A2). The best antifungal efficacy (100 %) was shown by clove, cinnamon and oregano at the concentration of 30 %; less significant efficacy was shown at the concentration of 5 % (38 %, 33 % and 5 %, respectively). Satureja inhibited the growth of Malassezia (efficacy of 16 %) only at the concentration of 30 %. Bergamot, lavender, juniper, cedar, sage, tea-tree, grapefruit, pine, chamomile and yarrow essential oils were not able to form inhibition zones as defined in the methodology used (greater or equal to 15 mm) in all concentrations used. Therefore, according to the interpretation criterion, they were considered ineffective. In all cases, the concentration of 0.5 % was not effective against the growth of Malassezia yeasts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of modified glucomannan (Mycosorb®) on plasma chemistry of broiler chicks after deoxynivalenol (DON) inclusion in the diet from hatching to 6 weeks of age. Three groups of broiler chicks were formed with 14 birds in each group. The three diets included control (0.2 ppm deoxynivalenol), deoxynivalenol-contaminated (3 ppm deoxynivalenol) and deoxynivalenol- contaminated (3 ppm deoxynivalenol) plus Mycosorb®(2 g/kg diet). After 6 weeks of feeding all birds were sacrificed and blood samples for chemical analyses were collected. Serum calcium and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly elevated and magnesium, total protein, triglycerides and free glycerol were decreased in chicks fed deoxynivalenol-contaminated diet compared with those fed the control diet. Inclusion of Mycosorb®in the diet decreased plasma alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities and reversed plasma levels of magnesium, triglycerides, free glycerol and total protein in chicks induced by dietary deoxynivalenol. Chloride level was not affected by diets. The inclusion of Mycosorb® to DONcontaminated diet, however, did not prevent or alleviate toxic effect on calcium metabolism. Supplementation of modified glucomannan Mycosorb® counteracted most of the plasma parameter alterations caused by deoxynivalenol-contaminated diet in chicks