BACKGROUND: The decreases in insulin sensitivity and extensive perinatal lipolysis are common causes of metabolic diseases related to energy metabolism in ewes. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to study the effect of organic zinc on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance indices in early lactating ewes. METHODS: 18 Ghezel ewes were divided into three groups based on organic zinc supplementation, including CTR: (basal diet without Zinc), LZn: (basal diet supplemented with 30 mg Zn/kgDM) and group 3, HZn: (basal diet supplemented with 300 mg Zn/kgDM). RESULTS: The results of this study showed no significant differences between the experimental groups in glucose, NEFAs, BHB, cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin concentrations. Furthermore, the effect of zinc on the insulin to glucose ratio was not significant among the experimental groups (p < /em>>0.05). Supplementation of zinc-methionine significantly increased serum zinc concentration in ewes (p < /em><0.001). The area under the curve (AUC60, AUC120) was the highest for the control group and LZn and the lowest for HZn group (p < /em><0.05). The rate of glucose clearance in zinc-methionine supplement recipients was higher compared to the control group. The time to reach half maximal glucose concentration in zinc treated ewes was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < /em><0.001), indicating an improvement in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that Zinc is effective in improving the NEB and preventing insulin resistance in early lactation. It is possible that in sheep, the tissue responsiveness to insulin is enhanced with dietary Zn supplementation, and present findings suggest that dietary Zn-Met may improve energy balance and insulin resistance in lactating ewes.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence – activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).

Introduction: Foot quality is essential to the horse’s movement. The barefoot approach favours the animal’s welfare. Environment and selection determine hoof characteristics. Material and Methods: Hoof characteristics of eight Anglo-Arabian (AA) and nine Haflinger (HA) horses were studied. After a preliminary visual analysis of feet, nail samples were collected after trimming for physico-chemical analysis. The parameters were submitted to analysis of variance. A principal component analysis and a Pearson correlation were used to compare mineral contents. Results: The hooves of both breeds were healthy and solid. The hooves of HA horses were longer than those of AA horses (14.90 ±0.30 cm vs 13.10 ±0.60 cm), while the AA hoof was harder than the HA hoof both in the wall (74.55 ±2.95 H vs 60.18 ±2.67 H) and sole (67.00 ±5.87 H vs 43.0 ±4.76 H). In comparison with the sole, the AA hoof wall also had a lower moisture percentage (12.56 ±0.67% vs 20.64 ±0.76%), while crude protein and ash contents were similar in both regions. The AA hoof showed a higher Se content, while the HA hoof had a higher level of macroelements. The negative correlations of K with Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the AA hoof may indicate osmoregulation activity. Conclusion: The hoof morphology of AA and HA horses met the literature parameters for mesomorphic horses. Both breeds had healthy and well-conformed hooves, useful for sport and recreation activities.

Introduction: The objective of the present research was to carry out a comparative assessment of copper, zinc, and selenium concentrations in the meat of edible land snails collected in Poland (Helix pomatia, Cornu aspersum maxima, and Cornu aspersum aspersum), as well as to determine the effect of preliminary processing of Roman snails (Helix pomatia) on the content of the aforementioned elements. Material and Methods: In the first stage, determinations were made on unprocessed snail meat. In the second stage, the study focused on Roman snails and consisted in an additional evaluation of frozen meat after full processing. Zinc and copper contents were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the selenium content was established by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The selenium content differed significantly among all three species. The copper content in Roman snails differed significantly from that in farmed snails. No significant difference in the zinc level was noted among the three snail species. The selenium content in raw and processed meat of Roman snails did not show any significant difference while the copper and zinc level was significantly higher in processed meat samples. Conclusion: The present research on the meat of edible snails showed different levels of selenium, copper, and zinc, depending on the species, collection site, and subjection to processing.

Introduction: Hard antlers of deer are unique bioindicators of environmental metal pollutions, but sampling methods presented in the literature are inconsistent. Due to the specific growth pattern of antlers and their histological structure, sampling methods described in the literature were reviewed, the suitability of using mixed samples of both antler layers as element bioindicators was assessed, and the codified method of antler sampling used for bioindication was described. Material and Methods: Lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper, zinc, and iron in trabecular and cortical parts of hard antlers of red deer (Cervus elaphus) were determined using different methods of atomic absorption spectrometry (depending on the element). Results: Mean mercury content in trabecular bone (0.010 ±0.018 mg/kg) was 5 times higher than in cortical bone (0.002 ±0.003 mg/kg). Mean iron concentration was approximately 15 times higher in trabecular (239.83 ±130.15 mg/kg) than in cortical bone (16.17 ±16.44 mg/kg). Concentrations of other analysed elements did not differ statistically between antler layers. Conclusion: In mixed antler samples, concentrations of mercury and iron depend on the particular antler layer contents. This therefore warrants caution when comparing results across studies and specification of the sampling methodology of antlers is highly recommended.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence – activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The study was based on 15 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis with anorexia, pyrexia, depression, pale mucous membrane, splenomegaly and dark red urine. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears and the results of PCR confirmed B. canis infection. Seven apparently healthy dogs brought in for either a check-up or vaccination were used for comparison. The levels of the erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes - SOD and CAT - were significantly higher in the infected dogs than in cytologically negative dogs. The levels of blood micronutrients were significantly lower in the infected dogs (0.478 μg of zinc per mL vs 1.241 μg/mL and 0.722 μg of copper per mL vs 1.392 μg/mL). Oxidative stress can be posited as one of the mechanisms leading to anaemia in dogs with babesiosis, and therefore antioxidant biomarker and copper and zinc concentrations could be used as indicators of disease severity and prognostic markers.

Introduction: The objective of the present research was to carry out a comparative assessment of copper, zinc, and selenium concentrations in the meat of edible land snails collected in Poland (Helix pomatia, Cornu aspersum maxima, and Cornu aspersum aspersum), as well as to determine the effect of preliminary processing of Roman snails (Helix pomatia) on the content of the aforementioned elements. Material and Methods: In the first stage, determinations were made on unprocessed snail meat. In the second stage, the study focused on Roman snails and consisted in an additional evaluation of frozen meat after full processing. Zinc and copper contents were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the selenium content was established by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The selenium content differed significantly among all three species. The copper content in Roman snails differed significantly from that in farmed snails. No significant difference in the zinc level was noted among the three snail species. The selenium content in raw and processed meat of Roman snails did not show any significant difference while the copper and zinc level was significantly higher in processed meat samples. Conclusion: The present research on the meat of edible snails showed different levels of selenium, copper, and zinc, depending on the species, collection site, and subjection to processing.

Introduction: Ostrich characteristics include fast running, of which the probable enablers have been studied. Yet little research has taken place on one anatomical feature. It is mainly the special integuments on the ostrich foot which facilitate fast running on sand, because as point of direct sand contact they bear the whole weight and provide all the forward force. This study elucidates aspects of the integuments.Material and Methods: A stereo microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and confocal scanning laser microscope were used to observe these integuments. Their surface structure was shown accurately in photographs. An SEM equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to check element contents of the upper and bottom areas and those on the lateral area of the 3ʳᵈ toe.Results: The content of some chemical elements on the upper area (Mg 2.04%, Si 0.18%, P 1.97%, Ca 0.59%, and S 0.69%) was higher than that of the bottom area (Mg 0.14%, Si 0.09%, P 0.10%, Ca 0.28%, and S 0.90%). Zinc was the particular element on the upper area, while sodium, chlorine, and potassium were the specific elements on the bottom area. The parts which must withstand different frictions contained different chemical compounds.Conclusion: The microscopic plane with layer-like structure and stripes may contribute to the wear-resistance of the papillae. The polygonal and prism structures are helpful to fix papillae in a firmer way.

The present study was carried out to find out the histopathological alterations in gill, liver and kidney of Goldfish (Carassius auratus) under sublethal concentrations of Zinc. Fishes were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of 0.572, 1.145, 2.289, 4.578 and 9.156 mg.l -1 for 28 days which are 1/10 of their 96hr LC. The histological samples of gill, liver and kidney were collected from 14 th, 50th  and 28th day and stained by haematoxylin and eosin, observed under trinocular microscope. Vacuolation, hyperplasia, epithelial lifting and lamellar fusion, shrinkage of blood vessels, secondary lamellar damage, breakdown of epithelial cells, blood congestion and necrosis were observed in gill. Rupture of nucleus, congested blood vessels, hemorrhage in liver sinuses, increased size of kupffer cell, increased pycnotic nucleus, hypertrophied hepatocytes, vacuolation, cellular necrosis, rupture of hepatocytes were observed in liver of zinc treated fish. Shrunken glomerulus, vacuolation, blood congestion, increased in space of periglomerular, increased in space of peritubular, melanomacrophages, loss of cytoplasm, fat deposition, degenerated tubules and degenerated glomerulus were seen in kidney. The above results showed that sub-lethal toxicity of Zinc alter the internal organs of goldfish at lower concentration.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of calcium, carnitine, zinc and their combinations for 5 weeks in eighty adult crossbred cocks which were divided into eight treatment groups each consisting of ten cocks. Cocks were fed with treatment diets. The treatment groups consisted of control (T1), control + calcium 2 per cent (T2), control + carnitine 250 mg/kg (T3), control + zinc 100 mg/kg (T4), control + calcium 2 per cent + carnitine 250 mg/kg (T5), control + calcium 2 per cent + zinc 100 mg/kg (T6), control + carnitine 250 mg/kg + zinc 100 mg/kg (T7) and control + calcium 2 per cent + carnitine 250 mg/kg + zinc 100 mg/kg (T8). Semen volume revealed no significant difference between treatment groups during five weeks period. Overall sperm motility was significant (P&lt;0.01) between treatment groups except between T4&nbsp;and T5 groups. Overall sperm concentration was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher in all treatment groups compared to control. Inclusion of calcium, carnitine, zinc and their combinations had significantly (P&lt;0.01) reduced the overall dead and abnormal of sperms when compared to the control group. The results revealed that inclusion of 2 per cent calcium, 250 mg/kg of carnitine, 100 mg/ kg of zinc and their combinations in feed improved the sperm motility and concentration in cross-bred cocks.&nbsp;