Effect of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) on uterine antibacterial activity and immunoglobulin concentrations in mares was studied. In 2 in vitro experiments, 6 mixed-breed mares were ovariectomized, and uterine fluid and blood serum were analyzed. Antibacterial assay methods were used to determine inhibitory effects on Streptococcus zooepidemicus of uterine fluid samples collected on days 3, 5, and 8, and serum obtained on day 8 of treatment. Single radial immunodiffusion methods were used to quantify amounts of IgA and IgG in uterine fluid and serum on days 3, 5, 8, and 14 of treatment. Neither E2 nor P4 increased activity of serum and uterine fluid against S zooepidemicus. Numbers of colony-forming units per milliliter of bacteria were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in control Hanks' balanced salt solution with 1.0% gelatin (HBSSG) than in uterine fluids. Bacterial numbers were significantly (50%) greater in uterine fluids and serum than in HBSSG controls for both treatments. Both fluids, especially serum, supported significantly (P < 0.01) more growth of S zooepidemicus than did HBSSG when incubated for 0, 2, and 4 hours. These findings are in contrast to previous reports of antibacterial activity in the uterus of sexually intact mares undergoing an estrous cycle: great reduction of bacterial count in uterine fluid from mares in diestrus, and significant increases in bacterial numbers in uterine fluid or serum from mares in estrus. Treatment comparisons between serum and uterine fluid IgA and IgG concentrations were not significantly different, although overall IgA concentration in the uterus was higher than concentration in serum. The IgG concentration in uterine fluid was higher in P4- than E2-treated mares. However, IgG concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in uterine fluid on day 8 in P4-treated mares than on day 3 or 5. Results of this study indicate that neither immunoglobulin concentration nor hormone treatment has a direct effec.

Concentrations of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors were measured by radioreceptor assay in tumor (n = 319) and normal (n = 166) mammary tissue from 248 bitches. Correlations between ER and PR and between receptor expression in tumor and normal mammary tissue from the same bitches were evaluated. The influence of tumor, clinical, or hormonal variables on receptor expression also was studied. Approximately 80% of tumor and 95% of normal mammary tissue expressed detectable concentrations of ER, PR, or both. Direct correlation was found between ER and PR concentrations in normal and tumor tissues. Median ER concentrations were significantly higher (46 +/- 47 fmol/mg of cytosolic protein vs 27 +/- 24 fmol/mg of cytosolic protein; P = 0.0002) in normal than in tumor tissue. On the other hand, PR concentrations were significantly higher (57 +/- 52 fmol/mg vs 77 +/- 99 fmol/mg; P = 0.03) in tumors (especially benign tumors) than in normal tissue. Poorly differentiated malignant tumors expressed lower concentrations of receptors than did benign or well differentiated malignant tumors. The ER and PR concentrations decreased with increasing size of the lesion. Hormonal status of the bitch significantly (P < 0.05) influenced receptor expression in normal tissue: bitches in the luteal phase of the estrous cycle had higher concentrations of ER (69 +/- 62 fmol/mg) than did ovariectomized bitches (24 +/- 19 fmol/mg) or bitches in anestrus (38 +/- 45 fmol/ mg) or the follicular phase (13 +/- 7 fmol/mg). For PR, higher concentrations were observed in normal tissue during anestrus than during pseudopregnancy or in bitches treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Similar, but nonsignificant, variations were seen in tumor tissue except in medroxyprogesterone acetate-treated bitches in which PR concentrations were high in tumors and low in normal tissue from the same bitches.

Determination of possible relations between some metabolic activity indexes of Large White pregnant sows (with various pregnancy stages) and their offspring was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. In the experimental animals there was taken blood for hematologic and biochemical tests. In peripheral blood there was analyzed the average content of hemoglobin, total number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes and corpuscular volume. Content of total protein, albuminolesterin, concentration total kalium and nonorganic phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, activity of alanine- and aspartate transaminase were evaluated in blood serum. Blood tests were made on 84th day of pregnancy, in 30 days before farrowing, on the 2-nd lactation day and on the 2-nd and 35-th days of piglet life. Research results showed high degree of persistence of iron and zinc deficiency of pregnant sows in the conditions of modern national swine production. The obtained results proved the presence of close relationship between metabolic processes of sows and piglets that was revealed in low degree of stores supply with elements which had been in deficit for their mothers

Results of studies of peculiar properties of progesterone content in blood serum of outbred female rats under the influence of intensive ionizing radiation against the background of stress stimulation realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus were presented. There were the following animal groups: 1. controlled rats; 2. irradiated rats; 3. stressed animals; 4. rats subjected to ionizing radiation and stress. Research results showed that concentration of progesterone in serum blood of female rats in 3 days after immobilized stress decreased on 40% in comparison with the control indexes. More intensive decreasing of hormone level took place after irradiation in dose of 1 Gy (on 62% in comparison with the controlled group). Combine activity of ionizing radiation and stress involved the decreasing of hormone concentration on 25% in comparison with the controlled group. In ten days there was the restoration of changes. Increase of progesterone concentration in blood serum took place in all tested groups. Hormone level in blood serum of irradiated rats increased on 46,04 nmol/l in comparison with results of the third day after irradiation. Hormone level in blood serum of stressed animals increased on 11,63 nmol/l, in group subjected to the combined activity of ionizing radiation and stress – on7,65nmol/l. On the thirtieth day the indexes of progesterone concentration in blood serum of irradiated rats, stressed rats and rats subjected to ionizing radiation and stress were almost similar to the control indexes

Investigation of influence of complex probiotic preparation Laktimet obtained by means of cultivation of bifidus bacteria and lactic acid bacillus on morphological indexes of pancreatic gland of laying hens was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Two groups of laying hens of 121-130 days old were used in the experiment. The experimental hens were given probiotic Laktimet with water in dose of 1 ml/head every day in 4 cycles during 7 days and with 7 days intervals. Total condition, dynamics of body weight, and egg production were estimated. Research results showed that body weight of experimental hens increased on 6,4 % on the 10-th day; on 12,1% - on the 24-th day; on 6% - on the 40-th day; and 7,5% - on the 50-th day of experiment. Pancreas weight of experimental hens increased on 4-9%. Acinus size increased on 11%. Morphological indexes in exocrine pancreatic cells showed that altitude of basal pole increased on 3-7%. Application of probiotic Laktimet rendered positive influence on laying hens that was evident in increasing of their productivity (there was an increasing of live weight on 4-8%, and egg-laying capacity – on 18-33%). The positive dynamics of the majority of morphofunctional indexes of exocrinous and endocrine parts of pancreatic gland proved its significant role in maintenance of general state of laying hens and metabolic processes

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus the seasonal derangements of metabolic processes at high-producing cows usually take place in the period from March till May. Analysis of efficiency of application of national preparation CMP (complex-mineral preparation -iron (15 mg/ml); iodine (6,8 mg/ml); magnesium (6,0 mg/ml); selenium (0,32 mg/ml) and vitamin preparation Trivitim (vitamin A – 30000 IU; , vitamin D – 40000 IU; vitamin E – 20 mg) for the preserving of high milking yielding capacity and prevention of metabolic processes disorders was realized. Four groups of high productive cows were formed. First group was entered 10 ml of CMP intramuscular; cows of the second group were entered 10 ml of Trivitim intramuscular; cows of the third group were entered CMP and Trivitim in the same doses; and the fourth group was a controlled one. On the 1-st, 7-th and 15-th days there was realized evaluation animal clinical state, hematologic and biochemical blood indexes (leukocytes; erythrocytes; hemoglobin; thrombocytes; ESR; total protein; albumins; urea; creatinine; glucose; calcium; phosphorous; magnesium; iron), and average daily milk yield. There was also analyzed the phagocytic activity of neutrophilic leukocytes. Research results showed that content of leukocytes and ESR in blood in all experimental groups was within the standard limits. In the first experimental group there was state the increasing of hemoglobin (from 91,4 +/- 4,38 up to 111,83 +/- 4,3 g/l (P less than0,05) ) and erythrocytes (from 4,48 +/- 0,21 up to 5,97 +/- 0,45 10E12/l) content. The same changes were stated in cows of the 2-d and 3-d experimental groups. Content of hemoglobin and erythrocyte in blood of cows which were administrated with CMP and Trivitim increased from 90,6 +/- 0,06 to 99,83 +/- 3,61 g/l and from 4,51 +/- 0,27 to 5,55 +/- 0,28 10E12/l, respectively. Analyze of biochemical indexes of cow blood showed that content of total protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron increased. On the 15-th day there was stated the decrease of urea. Research results proved that the combined application of CMP and Trivitim was efficient and prevented subclinical disorders of metabolic processes

Results of estimation of metabolic processes state in pregnant sows at different stages of sow pregnancy realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus were presented. Research results showed that there were changes in the analyzed indexes (total protein; albumins; total lipids; triglycerids; lactate; urea; creatinine; glucose; cholesterin; bilirubin; ALP; AAT; SGPT; amylase; gamma GTP; calcium; phosphorous; magnesium; iron) of biochemical blood profile at different stages of sow pregnancy. The most expressed divergences of the analyzed indexes were stated at pregnant sows on the 90-th day of pregnancy (10 out of 19 indexes) which were caused first of all by feeding uncertainty. It was established that level of total lipids was low during all analyzed pregnancy days, notably that the lowest indexes were registered on the 60-th day period (2,81+/-19 g/l). The lowest level of triglyceride (0,12+/-0,04 mmol/l) was stated at the same period ,too. At a later stage, this index was within the limits of physiologic standard. High level of urea in blood was registered on the 80-th day of pregnancy. Low indexes of glucose were stated on the 90-th and 100-th days of pregnancy (3,44+-/0,63 and 3,38+/-0,26 mmol/l, respectively). High level of cholesterol was stated in course of all pregnancy stages. There was low content of protein in blood in 20% of pregnant sows at the second stage of pregnancy. High indexes of creatine were registered in 80% of animals, urea – in 20% of animals. High content of bilirubin was noted in 23% of pregnant sows, high concentration of lactic acid – in 100% of animals; low content of glucose – in 38%, low level of lipids in blood – in 61%; low level of triglyceride – in 23%

Investigation of frequency of occurrence and manifestations of liver pathology of swine during the postmortem examination at meat packing plant of the Republic of Belarus was realized. Data analysis of reports of postmortem veterinary-sanitary examination gathered from two leasing national meat packing plants showed that out of 236187 of evaluated swine carcasses and organs in 40860 (17,3%) of cases there were registered different liver pathologies. Among the total number of liver pathologies in 5721 cases (14%) there were stated liver pathologies caused by invasive diseases (echinococcus disease (Echinococcus granulosus) – 1,5%; cysticercosis – 0,2%; migration traces of ascarid larva - 12,3%), and 31830 cases (86%) were caused by noncontagious diseases. The highest percentage among noncontagious liver diseases was stated for dystrophic organ changes (83,6%); the other 17,2% were caused by fibroid induration. During the morphological liver analysis there were stated the dystrophic and necrotic changes in fractions with the profound disturbance of blood circulation. At the same there was noted the disturbance of the whole fraction stricture, acute capillary engorgement in the central and peripheral zones