Apocrine sweat gland carcinomas (ASGCs) are rare malignant skin tumours in dogs and humans. The literature published so far focuses mostly on the clinico-epidemiological aspect of these tumours, but little is known about their pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to determine whether the p53 gene is involved in the carcinogenesis of the apocrine sweat gland in dogs and whether ultraviolet radiation (UV) is related to it. Forty canine ASGCs were submitted to laser capture microdissection to isolate neoplastic cells, from which DNA was subsequently extracted. PCR amplification and sequencing of p53 exons 2–8 was then performed, followed by computer analysis of the obtained sequences. Sixteen mutations within the p53 gene were found in 13 tumours. The mutations involved C → T, T → C, G → A, and CC → TT transitions, C → G transversion and adenine deletion, which are gene alteration types known to be related to UV radiation in the process of skin carcinogenesis in humans. Six of the thirteen tumour cases displayed the C → T transitions in the same location in exon 4 and three of the thirteen cases displayed T → C in the same location in exon 5. The results of the present study indicate both the participation of the p53 gene and the influence of UV radiation in the formation of ASGCs in dogs.

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence and effects of chosen bioaccumulative substances i.e. heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on fish, as well as provide information on time trends and potential threat to human health. Chemical substances which pollute water may affect living organisms in two ways. First of all, large amounts of chemical substances may cause sudden death of a significant part of the population of farmed fish, without symptoms (i.e. during breakdown of factories or industrial sewage leaks). However, more frequently, chemical substances accumulate in tissues of living organisms affecting them chronically. Heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent substances with a long-lasting biodegradation process. In a water environment they usually accumulate in sediments, which makes them resistant to biodegradation processes induced by, e.g., the UV light. These substances enter the fish through direct consumption of contaminated water or by contact with skin and gills. Symptoms of intoxication with heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs may vary and depend on the concentration and bioavailability of these substances, physicochemical parameters of water, and the fish itself.

Sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is an important disease affecting cattle in certain geographical regions. However, the pathogenesis of brain damage is not completely understood. We previously observed that excess dietary sulfur may influence thiamine status and altered thiamine metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced PEM in cattle. In this study, we evaluated the activities of thiamine-dependent enzymes [α-ketogluterate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)] and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in the cerebral cortex of sulfur-induced PEM-affected cattle (n = 9) and clinically normal cattle (n = 8, each group) exposed to low or high dietary sulfur [LS = 0.30% versus HS = 0.67% sulfur on a dry matter (DM) basis]. Enzyme activities in PEM brains were measured from the brain tissue regions and examined using ultraviolent (UV) light illumination to show fluorescence or non-fluorescence regions. No gross changes under regular or UV light, or histopathological changes indicative of PEM were detected in the brains of cattle exposed to LS or HS diets. The PDH, α-KGDH, and COX activities did not differ between LS and HS brains, but all enzymes showed significantly lower (P < 0.05) activities in UV-positive region of PEM brains compared with LS and HS brains. The UV-negative regions of PEM brain had similar PDH activities to LS and HS brains, but the activities of α-KGDH and COX were significantly lower than in LS and HS brains. The results of this study suggest that reduced enzyme activities of brain PHD, α-KGDH, and COX are associated with the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced PEM.

Responses of the skin over the dorsum to solar UV irradiation (2 hours/d for 6 consecutive days) were investigated in hairless descendants of Mexican hairless dogs. Assessment of skin color changes, using a spectrophotometer, indicated that luminance values began to decrease from the third, day of UV irradiation, reached the minimal value at 3 weeks, and almost recovered 12 weeks after completion of UV irradiation. The number of the dihydroxyphenylalanine-positive melanocytes increased significantly (P < 0.01) from the third day of UV irradiation, reached its maximal value at 2 weeks, and recovered to normal at 12 weeks after completion of UV irradiation. On the second day of UV irradiation, the epidermis became focally thick, with disarrangement of component cells that had degenerative changes. In addition, a few so-called sunburn cells with pyknotic nuclei were seen in the epidermis. On the third day of UV irradiation, apparent suntan reaction developed, and a large number of epithelial cell in the epidermis were heavily pigmented with melanin granules. At 12 weeks after completion of UV irradiation, the epidermis appeared almost normal. On the other hand, significant changes were not detected in the dermis throughout the study.

Objective: To determine the effect of various UVB radiation sources on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Animals: 18 healthy Hermann's tortoises. Procedures: Tortoises were exposed to sunlight in an outdoor enclosure located in the natural geographic range of Hermann's tortoises (n = 6 tortoises) or a self-ballasted mercury-vapor lamp (6) or fluorescent UVB-emitting lamp (6) in an indoor enclosure for 35 days. Plasma samples were obtained from each tortoise on the first (day 0) and last (day 35) days of the study, and concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were determined. Amount of UVB radiation in enclosures was measured. Results: Mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations for tortoises exposed to the mercury-vapor and fluorescent lamps were significantly lower on day 35 (155.69 ± 80.71 nmol/L and 134.42 ± 51.42 nmol/L, respectively) than they were on day 0 (368.02 ± 119.34 nmol/L and 313.69 ± 109.54 nmol/L, respectively). Mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration for tortoises exposed to sunlight did not differ significantly between days 0 (387.74 ± 114.56 nmol/L) and 35 (411.51 ± 189.75 nmol/L). Mean day 35 plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration was significantly higher for tortoises exposed to sunlight versus those exposed to mercury-vapor or fluorescent lamps. Sunlight provided significantly more UVB radiation than did the mercury-vapor or fluorescent lamps. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations differed between tortoises exposed to sunlight and those exposed to artificial UVB sources. Exposure to sunlight at a latitude similar to that of the natural geographic range is recommended for healthy and calcium-deficient tortoises.

Objective—To determine the effects of UVB radiation produced by artificial lights on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) Animals—9 juvenile domestic rabbits. Procedures—After an acclimation period, rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane, and an initial blood sample was collected for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Rabbits were randomly assigned to receive 12-hour exposure to UVB radiation produced by 2 compact fluorescent lights daily (n = 5) or no UVB supplementation (4) commencing on day 1. The UVB radiation emitted into the cage was measured at 9 points approximately 34 cm from the surface of the UVB light sources (representing the position of the rabbits in the cage) after 10 hours of exposure on days 1, 8, and 14. On day 14, another blood sample was collected from anesthetized rabbits for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Results—The UVB radiation level was 8.3 to 58.1 μW/cm2 for the exposed rabbits and consistently < 0.001 μW/cm2 for the control rabbits. Mean ± SD serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in the rabbits that were or were not provided supplemental UVB radiation for 14 days differed significantly (66.4 ± 14.3 nmol/L and 31.7 ± 9.9 nmol/L, respectively). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Exposure to UVB radiation produced by artificial light significantly increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in juvenile rabbits. Because vitamin D is an essential hormone in vertebrates, these findings suggested that the provision of supplemental UVB radiation to captive rabbits may be important.

In the experiment with swine there was studied the influence of ultra-violet and various doses of narrow-band red radiation on efficiency and safety of animals. It has been established, that efficiency and safety of animal skilled groups in comparison with animals of control group has risen. Use of an ultra-violet and narrow-band red irradiation with frequency rate of inclusion of red light three times has a day allowed to raise average alive mass of young plants of pigs on 2,5 kg or on 9,1% (Р less than 0,01), a daily average gain - on 9,6%(Р less than 0,001) and safety of animals - on 10%