The influence of the reproductive status was tested in the blood serum of 30 sheep (10 pregnant sheep on the 15th day prior to lambing, 10 lactating sheep on the 20th day of the lactation and 10 non-pregnant sheep). The influence of age was determined in the blood serum of 20 sheep and 20 lambs. Analysis of the impact of age in sheep and lamb on the concentration of thyroid hormones showed that 30-day old lambs had significantly higher (P<0.01) concentration of T3 and T4 compared to the other age categories of sheep. At the same time, 100-day old lambs had significantly higher concentration of T4 if compared to the 1 and 3-year old sheep. Referring to the reproductive status, there was significantly lower (P<0.01) concentration of T3 determined in the blood of lactating sheep than of nonpregnant and pregnant sheep. These findings point out unsatisfactory energy supply in the older sheep, sheep during late pregnancy and sheep at the beginning of lactation

Abstract. The study examined the effect of raw and roasted cereals (corn, oat and barley) and soybean in diet on growth performance and blood parameters of lambs fattening. Totally 60 lambs after ablactation at average of 50 days, were tested and equally divided into three groups: an experimental I (E I), experimental II (E II) and a control (C) group. The fattening period lasted 56 days. Lambs of the C group were fed on mixture with crude forages, those from the E I on mixture with roasted cereals and lambs of the E II on mixture with both roasted cereals and soybean. The lambs from E I and E II groups grew faster (by 13.62 and 19.40 %), gained higher final body weight (by 6.72 and 8.08 %) and spent less food per kg of daily gain weights (by 14.03 and 13.24 %) although feed consumption in E I was lower (by 2.33 %) but in E II higher (3.49 %) in comparison with the C group. The blood serum concentrations of cholesterol-total and cholesterol-HDL were lower for lambs EI groups compared with lambs C and E II groups. ALP activity was higher for lambs EI and EII groups compared with C group. Urea concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) lower, and that of albumin higher in E II group compared to C group. There were no differences among groups for the serum minerals content, other biochemical indicators and enzymes. Obtained differences in slaughter properties of lambs (carcass weight and dressing) indicate their better productive effects. Concerning the gained production results may be concluded that the use of roasted cereals and soybean in feed mixture in lambs fattening is justified.

Interest for breeding mouflons in Europe is growing by the day, so it is important to extend our knowledge regarding their physiology. To establish reference intervals of biochemical values for mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon), serum samples from 35 males and 26 females were analyzed using the automatic analyzer Olympus AU 640 for 22 serum biochemistry parameters. All mouflons aged from 1 to 4 years were apparently healthy and in good body condition and kept at an average altitude of 87 m (45°4′N, 18°6′E). Obtained results were tested according to age and sex categories by the repeated measurement model with Tukey's post hoc test. Data showed a significantly higher (P<0.01) concentration of total serum bilirubin and chloride in adult pregnant female mouflons compared to adult male mouflons. A significantly higher (P<0.01) value of sodium and a lower (P<0.01) value of serum phosphate in adult pregnant female mouflons compared to adult male mouflons have been determined. These data provide the baseline information about serum biochemical parameters which can be used to manage the health in mouflons.

No abstract

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element for human and animal health, is covalently incorporated into amino acids, acts as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes, and is involved in the maintenance of the immune system. The main goal of this investigation was to show the effect of Se supplementation, at levels slightly higher than the recommended values, combined with natural zeolite clinoptilolite on Se deposition in tissues (muscle and liver) and on the immune and antioxidative status of supplemented growing pigs. The experiment was carried out during a 98 d period on 60 pigs. Pigs were fed a standard feed mixture based on corn and soybean and were divided into four groups, according to the level of dietary selenium supplementation as follows: C-0.3 mg/kg DM organic Se, E1-0.5 mg/kg DM sodium selenite, E2-0.5 mg/kg DM organic selenium; E3-0.5 mg/kg DM organic Se+0.2% zeolite. Higher (P &lt; 0.05) selenium concentrations were determined in the muscle and liver in growing pigs fed with higher organic Se in combination with zeolite compared to the lower organic Se concentration. Addition of organic Se increased (P &lt; 0.05) Se deposition in muscle and liver compared to the equal amount of inorganic Se (E2 vs. E1). Higher organic Se in combination with natural zeolite addition increases (P &lt; 0.05) proportion of pigs' cluster of differentiation (CD)45+ compared to the same amount of inorganic Se and lower organic Se addition. The proportion of CD45+ and CD4+ lymphocytes was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in E3 group compared to the other groups. Higher (P &lt; 0.05) proportion of CD21+ lymphocytes were measured in the E2 and E3 groups compared with the other groups. The highest (P &lt; 0.01) activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in pig erythrocytes was observed in the E3 group, while higher (P &lt; 0.05) activity of glutathione reductase (GR) was in all experimental groups related to the control one. A dietary addition of 0.5 mg/kg DM of organic Se in combination with zeolite (0.2% DM) has increased (P &lt; 0.05) Se deposition in liver, muscle, and blood, compared to the dietary addition of 0.3 mg/kg DM of the organic Se.

The effect of zeolite clinoptilolite (CLIN) on some metabolic parameters in blood serum and haematological values in weaned piglets fed with increased levels of zearalenone (ZEN) was investigated over a 14-day period. The research involved four groups of weaned piglets aged 40 to 54 days. All groups were fed on fodder mixture for growing pigs containing 20% crude protein and 12.57 MJ ME/kg. The first control group (C1) received a concentrate mixture without added ZEN or mycotoxin adsorbent Min-a-Zel Plus®. The second control group (C2) was fed on fodder mixture containing 0.2% of modified clinoptilolite (Min-a-Zel Plus®; levels of zearalenone <5.1 ng/g). Piglets in the experimental group (E1) were fed on fodder mixture containing added zeralenone (3 mg/kg) (Sigma-Aldrich Co) and 0.2% of Min-a-Zel Plus® preparation. The second experimental group (E2) was fed on fodder mixture to which 3 mg/kg of zearalenone was added, but with no addition of Min-a-Zel Plus®. Oestrogenic effect of ZEN was evident in the sinergistic action with insulin which was manifested in an increased total protein level, lower level of glucose, triacylglycerols, serum iron, a higer level of cholesterol and higher aminotransaminase activity. The metabolic antioestrogen effect of ZEN was established in group E2, whereas group E1 manifested the agonistic effect due to oestrogen reduction by clinoptilolite