Lectin binding of small intestinal goblet cells was examined in newborn, suckling, and weaned pigs. Sections of duodenum, proximal portion of the jejunum, distal portion of the jejunum, and ileum were embedded in a hydrophilic acrylic resin and treated with each of the following lectins: Canavalia ensiformis, Ricinus communis I, Glycine max, Ulex europaeus I, and Triticum vulgaris. Percentages of goblet cells binding each lectin were calculated within intestinal regions. Differences in lectin-binding affinity were detected among pigs of various ages and among various intestinal regions within pig age groups.

Failure to obtain passive transfer of immunity via colostrum can be detrimental to the health and survival of a young pup. It has been stated that pups that do not receive colostrum in the first 2 days after birth, be given adult dog serum as a source of protective immunoglobulins. Twenty-five Beagle pups were obtained by cesarean section from 6 Beagle bitches. The pups were allotted to 3 groups at birth. Group 1 was a control group and was allowed to suckle colostrum. Group-2 pups received 22 ml of pooled adult dog serum/kg of body weight (10 ml/lb) SC at birth. Group-3 pups were given 22 ml of pooled adult dog serum/kg by stomach tube at birth. Pups from groups 2 and 3 were separated from the bitch for 48 hours to prevent colostral antibody absorption and were fed a commercially available milk replacer by stomach tube. After 48 hours, all pups were returned to the bitch until they were weaned at 6 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected from all of the pups at birth and on days 1, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. The concentration of IgA, IgG, and IgM in serum was determined by radial immunodiffusion and compared by use of a one-way analysis of variance. The control pups had significantly higher serum concentrations of IgA and IgG, than the pups in groups 2 and 3 on days 1 and 2 and 2 and 7, respectively. Group-2 pups had significantly higher serum IgM concentrations on day 1 than either group 1- or group-3 pups.

We compared the frequency and severity of osteochondrosis lesions in young Thoroughbred horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy (CSM) vs that in clinically normal Thoroughbreds of the same age. All lesions of the cervical vertebrae and appendicular skeleton were classified histologically as osteochondrosis or nonosteochondrosis and were measured for severity. Minimal sagittal diameter was significantly smaller in horses with CSM from C2 through C6; no difference was detected at C7. Severity of cervical vertebral osteochondrosis was greater in the horses with CSM, however frequency was not different. Frequency and severity of nonosteochondrosis lesions were not different in cervical vertebrae or appendicular skeleton. Frequency and severity of appendicular skeleton osteochondrosis lesions were both greater in horses with CSM. Osteochondrosis and nonosteochondrosis lesions were more severe on facets at sites of compression than on facets at noncompressed sites in horses with CSM. However, compression was also observed at sites with no articular facet lesions. The association of widespread osteochondrosis and spinal canal narrowing with CSM suggests CSM may represent a systemic failure in the development or maturation of cartilage and bone.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was studied the formation of nonspecific protection factors of the first year foals. By a principle of conditional analogues there was generated a group of clinically healthy foals at which monthly from bulbar veins there were taken tests of blood for hematological and biochemical analysis. From the obtained data it was visible, that within the first year of foal life there were taking place the processes of formation of nonspecific protection factors of an organism which were accompanied by a gradual increasing of quantity of erythrocytes, haemoglobin, leukocytes, certain change in the diagramme, and also increasing of bactericidal and lysozyme activity of blood serum. However, at seven-month age there was marked a considerable decrease in number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, concentration of haemoglobin, bactericidal and lysozyme activity of blood serum is marked, in leukogram share reduction of segmented neutrophils, and at the same time, the content of eosinocytes and lymphocytes increased. It testified the decreasing of protective forces of an organism during this period. Consequently, the seventh month in the postnatal period of foal life proved to be the most critical.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was studied the influence of methods and means of spot heating and localization of warmth on indexes of microclimate in piglet breeding houses and resting area of piglets and their growth parameters. In course of the study there taken into consideration the indexes of an average temperature on piglet resting area housings; atmosphere relative humidity, air velocity, content of carbon dioxide, content of hydrogen nitride in the housing and resting areas of piglets. Research results of microclimate of swine breeding areas and resting areas of piglets under different means and methods of heating and warmth localization showed that the it was the most efficient to add for the local heating in the first three weeks of suckling period the glow-discharge tubes or in suckling period or weanling periods - the heated floors; and in suckling period - brooders in the form of tops with shields.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was studied the possibility of increasing of meat yield productivity of ducklings of Temp cross in the conditions application of parental lines of Peking ducks of German breeding Stolle Seddin Vital (SVV) cross. In course of the study there was realized a comparative evaluation of linear and crossbred ducklings in accordance with meat qualities and blood indexes. There were presented the results of morphological composition of liner and crossbred duck carcasses; dynamics of changes of lipid exchange (total lipids; cholesterine; triglyceride) of ducklings; morphological composition of carcasses of father and mother combinations; blood indexes of ducklings; blood indexes of crossbred ducklings of final combinations. Research results showed that crossbred ducklings had high meat properties which exceeded the purebred ones. In ducklings with lower indexes of fattiness of carcasses there was noted the lowering of concentration of total lipids, cholesterine and triglyceride in blood.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was analyzed the efficiency of application of a probiotic lactic casein feed additive DKM which was developed in the Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The analyzed additive contained specially selected lactic-acid bacteria with a high bioartificial potential of metabolites. In course of the experiment there was studied the consumption of fodders (milk; oats; mixed fodders) by experimental calves; dynamics of live weight gain in the beginning and at the end of the experiment; average daily weight gain. Also, there were analyzed the background indexes of blood serum of calves, as well as the indexes of blood serum of calves in a month after application of DKM additive. Research results showed that application of the feed additive DKM promoted better palatability and use of fodders and rendered positive influence on animal productivity. Also, there was marked the normalization of metabolism that was proved y the laboratory tests of blood serum.