Ixodes persulcatus Schulze (I. persulcatus) is distributed in Russia and Far East Asia including Japan, and has been implicated as the vector of several human pathogens. In particular, I. persulcatus acts as the only tick vector for human lyme borreliosis in Japan. In order to elucidate the mechanism of transmission of I. persulcatus-borne pathogens, we developed a laboratory colony of I. persulcatus. Ticks were fed on Syrian hamster and engorged ticks that had dropped off the animals were collected and maintained to allow them to molt. Tick rearing was performed in incubator at 20degC with 95% relative humidity and 12-hour light/dark photo-period regimen. We found out that adult females fed for 8+-2 days and had a pre-oviposition period lasting for 7+-2 days. The minimum egg incubation period was 1 month with the hatched larvae feeding for 3+-1 days and molting to nymphs 3-4 months thereafter. Meanwhile, the nymphs fed for 4+-1 days and molted to adult 2-3 months thereafter. For future analysis of gene expression profiles in I. persulcatus, we cloned and sequenced the actin gene (a housekeeping gene), and found that it is 92.7% to 98.6% homologous to the published sequences of related ixodid ticks. This laboratory colony of I. persulcatus will facilitate investigations on the role of tick-derived molecules on the transmission of I. persulcatus-borne pathogens and will be important for identification of potential anti-tick vaccine and acaricide target molecules.

Research and production experiment on studying the efficiency of calve growing depending on the methods of their husbandry at the prophylactic and lactic periods was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. It was established, that calves which were kept in course of the analyzed periods in group cages of a calf-house at the age of 180 days had live weight on 9 kg (or on 5,4%) higher than cattle kept in course of the prophylactic period in individual cages of a prophylactorium calf house, and at the same time their live weight was on 3 kg higher (or on 1,7%) rearers kept in the same period in group cages on the open air conditions. The average daily live weight gain of cattle was also higher on 7,2 and 1,6%, respectively. However, in the conditions of the group husbandry of growing stock in the calf houses there was stated that the analyzed animals were more often ill, so it could be concluded that the presented animal husbandry method could be used only in favorable epizootic conditions in animal husbandry farms. In the conditions of an open air husbandry the ways of infection diseases incidence was substantially lower, and calves showed high development indices in case of complete feed diets application

Results of realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus energy estimation of veterinary and hygienic methods of microclimate organization in livestock buildings were presented. As a result of the conducted veterinary and hygienic estimation of conditions of cattle maintenance in premises at cattle breeding farm in Vitebsk region (Belarus) it was found out, that one of the reasons of decreasing in productivity and livability of calves was the unsatisfactory microclimate at livestock buildings. In particular, air temperature in calf houses was marked below standard on 25-29%. Indices of the relative moisture exceeded the standard requirements on the average on 7% and concentration of ammonia - on 19-24%. Natural and artificial light exposure at premises did not correspond to veterinary and hygienic requirements. Research results analysis showed that a principal reason of unsatisfactory microclimate condition was the unsatisfactory system of ventilation, application of artificial prompting of air that involved the exceeding expenses for the electric power. The veterinary and hygienic measures with regard for power economy were characterized. It was stated that the proper use of ventilation, manure removing, feed-supplying and lighting systems made it possible to save up to 30% of power energy