To understand the prevalence of avian methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the current status of drug resistance in Qingdao, a comprehensive molecular epidemiological investigation and analysis of evolutionary relationships of MRSA isolates from broiler and layer chickens and waterfowl was conducted.

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) are toxic substances naturally produced by Claviceps fungi. These fungi infest a wide range of cereals and grasses. When domestic animals are exposed to EAs through contaminated feeds, it is detrimental to them and leads to significant economic losses. For that reason, it is important to monitor feed for the presence of EAs, especially with methods enabling their determination in processed materials.

The molecular contamination of an animal facility was investigated during and after an infection with highly pathogenic African swine fever virus (ASFV) among domestic pigs. The investigation evaluated the risk of indirect transmission of the disease and indicated points that may facilitate cleaning and disinfection processes.

Testin is a protein involved in cell mobility, adhesion and colony formation. In rats, testin presence has been reported in the testes, and its possible role in spermatogenesis has been suggested. Studies in humans also suggest a possible role of testin as a cancer suppressor protein. In the dog, which represents both an important pet species and a good animal model for studying biological and pathological testicular processes, the presence of testin has never been reported.

Bovine herpesvirus 6 (BoHV6) belongs to the Herpesviridae family, Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily and Macavirus genus. It is common in cattle, but was also detected in American bison (Bison bison) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The aim of the experiment was to develop an ELISA for serological examination of cattle sera for the presence of anti-BoHV6 specific antibodies.

Milk from cows, goats and sheep was analysed in terms of content of fourteen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

The aim of the study was to determine the genetic diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis in pigs in highly endemic areas in Poland, as well as to attempt to confirm the occurrence and geographical distribution of haplotypes characteristic for these areas, which were previously described on the basis of examination of adult tapeworms isolated from foxes.

Since the syndesmochorial placental structure of sheep does not allow the passage of large molecules from mother to offspring in intrauterine life, lambs are born hypogammaglobulinemic. The aim of this study is to compare passive transfer of immunity, neonatal morbidity and mortality, and live weight gains at day 120 between lambs receiving colostrum by suckling naturally and lambs given colostrum by bottle. 61 (n=61) lambs born to 43 sheep were randomly divided into two groups. One of the groups (NL group) received the desired amount of colostrum from the mother as they desired after birth. For the other group (BL group), access to the mothers' udder was restricted by a pouch after the lambs were born. BL group lambs were given colostrum roughly 8% of their birth weight by bottle as soon as possible after birth. Afterwards, colostrum freshly obtained from the mother was given to these lambs ad libitum every 4-6 hours during the first 24 hours. Approximately 50 ml of colostrum was taken into sterile containers from all sheep included in the study within the first 30 minutes after birth. Blood samples were taken from lambs for IgG analysis 36-48 hours after the first colostrum intake. Both serum and colostrum IgG analyses were performed by Radial Immunodiffusion (RID) method.  Serum IgG concentrations of lambs in the BL group (3155.41±1245.25 mg/dl) were found to be higher than serum IgG concentrations of lambs in the NL group (2097.02±1213.07 mg/dl). When the results were compared using Independent Samples T test, the difference between the two groups was very statistically significant (p<0.001). Neonatal morbidity and mortality were higher in lambs in the NL group (46.6%, 23.2%, respectively) than in lambs in the BL group (22.6%, 12.9%, respectively). Failure of Passive Transfer of Immunity (FPT) in lambs in the NL group (30%) was much higher than in lambs in the BL group (6.45%). Although the average Live Weight (LW) of lambs in the BL group (40.70 +7.84 kg) was higher than the average of lambs in the NL group (36.47+10.46 kg), this difference was statistically insignificant. In conclusion, giving lambs colostrum by bottle as soon as possible after birth without waiting for lambs to naturally receive colostrum from the mother results in better Passive Transfer and, accordingly, lower neonatal morbidity and mortality, and thus can help reduce economic loss in sheep breeding enterprises.

Lead is one of the most important pollutants in the environment and food chain. This heavy metal causes serious health risks, especially cancer, in humans and animals. Taurine is an amino acid that can be synthesized mainly from methionine and cysteine and is used especially in the food industry. This study investigated the possible protective role of taurine on reproductive performance and DNA damage in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to lead. Lead and taurine were added to the broth of D. melanogaster at 100 µM and 3 mM, respectively, for 15 days. The Comet method was used for the determination of DNA damage. It was found that there was raise in DNA damage in the lead-administered groups, whereas taurine reduced the DNA damage induced by lead. In addition, it was determined that lead caused a decrease, whereas taurine had a positive effect on reproductive performance. As a result, it was determined that taurine prevented the negative effects of lead on D. melanogaster and showed protective properties.

The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship between milk somatic cell count (SCC), total bacteria count (TBC), milk glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and serum paraoxonase (PON) levels, to identify the role of these parameters in subclinical mastitis at cows in the first 100 days of lactation. Animal material of this study consists of 100 Holstein dairy cows which were raised in a farm in Ankara province. Selected animals were hosted under same conditions and had suitable feeding regimen for appropriate period and were in the first 100 days of lactation. Cows which have less than 200x103 somatic cell counts in two different analysis which performed 7-10 days apart considered as healthy (n=50), and which had 200x103 somatic cell counts in two different counts performed 7-10 days apart considered as subclinical mastitis (n=50). Serum paraoxonase (PON) activity was lower in cows with subclinical mastitis than healthy ones (p<0.001), and GSH-Px activity was higher in cows with subclinical mastitis (p<0.001). It was concluded that the changes in milk SOD and GSH-Px levels are affected by the antioxidant system of the udder in subclinical mastitis, that formed oxidative stress and because of that serum PON and milk somatic cell and total bacteria have negative correlation. In conclusion, it was pointed out that serum PON activity can be used as a marker in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis and evaluation of the antioxidant status of the udder. Also, it was stood out to importance of udder antioxidant mechanisms to understand pathogenesis of subclinical mastitis especially occurs in first 100 days of lactation.