O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir a resposta plasmática de glicose e insulina em cavalos alimentados com dietas contendo concentrados energéticos formulados com diferentes fontes de amido, tais como milho, aveia, sorgo e uma mistura de milho e aveia em partes iguais por peso. Foram utilizados quatro eqüinos com 36 meses de idade em media, mestiços, machos, castrados, com peso aproximado de 350 kg. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi um quadrado latino 4X4 (quatro animais, quatro tratamentos, quatro períodos). Os resultados foram processados através de programa computacional, a normalidade dos resíduos verificada pelo Teste de Shapiro - Wilk, e as variâncias comparadas pelo teste F. Não foram observadas diferenças nos níveis de glicose plasmática entre tratamentos. No caso da glicose, todos os tratamentos atingiram seu máximo nível duas horas e meia pós-ingestão O nível de insulina plasmática foi significativamente inferior antes da refeição em aqueles cavalos tratados com a mistura de milho e aveia, e significativamente superior nos cavalos alimentados com milho como fonte de energia três horas e meia pós ingesta. Os valores de glicose e insulina plasmática observados neste estudo podem ter sido influenciados pelo processamento das dietas na forma peletizada, promovendo uma maior absorção de glicose no intestino delgado. As dietas contendo diferentes fontes de amido não influenciaram nem o tempo nem a quantidade de glicose absorvida no intestino delgado. As variações observadas nos níveis de insulina indicam que um manejo alimentar apropriado pode influenciar os níveis deste hormônio, moderando os seus efeitos indesejáveis.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do estresse de trabalho sobre a fertilidade de cães machos. Foram utilizados 18 cães da raça rottweiler, férteis, com idade média de 4 anos, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: repouso (controle) e trabalho (tratamento). O tratamento era composto por 5 fases: 1-adaptação, 2- adestramento básico, 3-adestramento militar e condicionamento, 4- acampamento, 5-repouso. Durante todo o período experimental, foram feitas duas coletas de sêmen semanais, para avaliação do ejaculado. No final de cada fase foi realizada coleta de sangue para dosagem dos níveis plasmáticos de cortisol. Os dados foram analisados pelo SAS, á=5%. Observou-se efeito negativo do estresse sobre os parâmetros motilidade (72,63 vs. 57,62, p<0,0001) e vigor espermático (3,06 vs. 2,52, p<0,0001), porcentagem de defeitos maiores (16,01 vs. 26,80, p< 0,0001) e totais (29,61 vs. 40,34, p<0,0001). Observou-se interação (p<0,0001) entre tempo e tratamento sobre a variável cortisol, indicando que o tipo de agente estressante (fase) interfere no nível plasmático de cortisol. Com base nesses resultados, é possível concluir que o estresse de trabalho interferiu de maneira negativa na fertilidade dos cães.

As células principais (P) do epitélio de revestimento do epidídimo de paca foram relacionadas com processos citofisiológicos de endocitoses do tipo adsortiva e de fase fluida, respectivamente, aparentemente realizando também secreção apócrina. Essas funções foram propostas embasando-se em características de ultra-estrutura das células P, em cujos citoplasma observaram-se um expressivo número de vesículas, com diferentes formas, tamanhos e presença de conteúdo internalizado em algumas das vesículas revestidas por endomembranas, ocorrendo ainda caveolas e vesículas diminutas localizadas junto à borda apical de microvilos. Ademais, observaram-se vesículas grandes e revestidas e/ou com superfícies lisas; endossomos, e lisossomos de localização predominantemente apical. Uma via de secreção apócrina foi sugerida com base na ocorrência de expansões (protrusões), citoplasmáticas intraluminais nas células P.

Com o objetivo de se obter dados que auxiliem na rotina clínica de tartarugas marinhas, realizou-se o hemograma e a determinação de alguns parâmetros bioquímicos séricos de fêmeas de tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre (n = 22), animais que desovam no Litoral Norte da Bahia, e em cativeiro (n = 5), animais mantidos no Centro de Visitantes do Projeto Tamar-ICMBio, na Praia do Forte, Brasil. Os valores obtidos para os dois grupos foram comparados, onde se observou diferença estatística significativa (p<0,05) para as contagens relativas e absolutas de eosinófilos e contagem relativa de monócitos dentre as variáveis do hemograma e, para a proteína total, globulina, glicose, colesterol e aspartato aminotransferase. Possivelmente, diferenças nas condições ambientais, nutricionais e reprodutivas, as quais estes animais foram submetidos, influenciaram nos resultados.

Modern zoological gardens are institutions to wildlife maintenance, aiming its conservation, the performance of scientific research and leisure, recreation and environmental education activities. The variety of wild species living in conditions different from the one found in its natural habitats represents a propitious environment for diseases spread, specially the zoonotic ones. Due to data shortage and wild mammals' epidemiological relevance both for toxoplasmosis as for leptospirosis, this study aimed to determine the serological survey of toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in Neotropical wild mammals, from Zoo of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 32 wild mammals, adults and from both sexes: 14 wild bearded capuchins (Cebus libidinosus), four goldenbellied capuchins (Cebus xanthosternus), three pumas (Puma concolor), one jaguar (Panthera onca), one crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), six crab-eating raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus), two South American coatis (Nasua nasua), and one tayra (Eira barbara). Sera were tested to Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT e"1:25), and by the microscopic seroaglutination test (cut-off e”1:100) using 24 serovar of pathogenic leptospiras and two serovar of saprophyte leptospiras. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 17 of 32 (53.1%) wild mammals, and antibodies to Leptospira spp. were found in 4 of 32 (12.5%) wild mammals. In relation to gender, 9 of 15 (60%) males, and 8 of 17 (47.1%) females had antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, and 4 of 15 (26.7%) males had antibodies to Leptospira spp. Considering the origin of the seropositive animals to T. gondii, 8 of 17 (47%) were born in the zoo, 7 of 17 (41.2%) were from other zoos, and 2 (11.8%) were from the wild. Three of 4 (75%) mammals seropositive to Leptospira spp. were born in zoo, and 1 of 4 (25%) was from the wild. This is the first serological survey of Leptospira spp. in Neotropical primates and carnivores from Northeast zoo of Brazil, and the first time that antibodies to T. gondii and Leptospira spp. (serovar Copenhageni) were observed in the threaten specie of primate golden-bellied capuchins (Cebus xanthosternus) in Aracaju, SE.

Results of estimation of metabolic processes state in pregnant sows at different stages of sow pregnancy realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus were presented. Research results showed that there were changes in the analyzed indexes (total protein; albumins; total lipids; triglycerids; lactate; urea; creatinine; glucose; cholesterin; bilirubin; ALP; AAT; SGPT; amylase; gamma GTP; calcium; phosphorous; magnesium; iron) of biochemical blood profile at different stages of sow pregnancy. The most expressed divergences of the analyzed indexes were stated at pregnant sows on the 90-th day of pregnancy (10 out of 19 indexes) which were caused first of all by feeding uncertainty. It was established that level of total lipids was low during all analyzed pregnancy days, notably that the lowest indexes were registered on the 60-th day period (2,81+/-19 g/l). The lowest level of triglyceride (0,12+/-0,04 mmol/l) was stated at the same period ,too. At a later stage, this index was within the limits of physiologic standard. High level of urea in blood was registered on the 80-th day of pregnancy. Low indexes of glucose were stated on the 90-th and 100-th days of pregnancy (3,44+-/0,63 and 3,38+/-0,26 mmol/l, respectively). High level of cholesterol was stated in course of all pregnancy stages. There was low content of protein in blood in 20% of pregnant sows at the second stage of pregnancy. High indexes of creatine were registered in 80% of animals, urea – in 20% of animals. High content of bilirubin was noted in 23% of pregnant sows, high concentration of lactic acid – in 100% of animals; low content of glucose – in 38%, low level of lipids in blood – in 61%; low level of triglyceride – in 23%

Investigation of frequency of occurrence and manifestations of liver pathology of swine during the postmortem examination at meat packing plant of the Republic of Belarus was realized. Data analysis of reports of postmortem veterinary-sanitary examination gathered from two leasing national meat packing plants showed that out of 236187 of evaluated swine carcasses and organs in 40860 (17,3%) of cases there were registered different liver pathologies. Among the total number of liver pathologies in 5721 cases (14%) there were stated liver pathologies caused by invasive diseases (echinococcus disease (Echinococcus granulosus) – 1,5%; cysticercosis – 0,2%; migration traces of ascarid larva - 12,3%), and 31830 cases (86%) were caused by noncontagious diseases. The highest percentage among noncontagious liver diseases was stated for dystrophic organ changes (83,6%); the other 17,2% were caused by fibroid induration. During the morphological liver analysis there were stated the dystrophic and necrotic changes in fractions with the profound disturbance of blood circulation. At the same there was noted the disturbance of the whole fraction stricture, acute capillary engorgement in the central and peripheral zones

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was produced a trial series of hyperimmune serum against livestock animals colibacillosis and there was realized the quality control of the analysed biological preparation. Research results proved that the developed serum was sterile, safe and had high immunogenetic activity. In course of quality control there were considered the following indexes: determination of physiognomy, colour, presence of visually accessible particulate matters; determination of safety and harnfullness; determination of activity; determination of concentration of hydrogen ions; determination of sterility; determination of serum volume in consumption package. For serum production there were used strains E.coli O9, O78, O0, O117, O26, O139, O15, O41, O55, O115, O141, O8, K88, K99, F41, 987P. For the production of trial series there was realized cultivation of Escherichia on the special nutritive media. There used bulls as serum producers

Investigation of spreading of diseases of micronutrient deficiencies at cow breeding farms of Grodno district of the Republic of Belarus depending on the season and character of polymicroelementoses, as well as the determination of relations between polyhypomicroelementoses and state of new born calves were realized. Clinical investigation of 1350 milked and calf-bearing dry cows and biochemical analysis of 450 blood samples taken at nongrazing time (before cows pasture) and at pasture time were conducted. The following animal groups were selected: the first group – cows after calving; the second group – the cows of three month pregnancy; the third group – calf-bearing dry cows. The following groups were selected among calf-bearing dry cows in nongrazing and pasture time: clinically healthy cows, which had biochemical blood changes, showing development of subclinical polyhypomicroelementoses (n = 20); clinically healthy cows with blood indicators, standing in limits of physiological standards. Number of calves was considered after calving of cows of both groups. Body weight, realization of staying and sucking position, evidence of sucking reflex, and calves disposition to neonatal pathology were considered in the study. Research result showed that cow microelementoses were marked by the development of subclinical polyhypomicroelementoses. Among cow polyhypomicroelementoses there was noted the domination of states followed by lowering of zinc, cobalt and cuprum content. Polyhypomicroelementoses were developing both in winter housing season and in course of grazing season. Polyhypomicroelementoses involve cows of different physiological states and were spreading more intensively at cow dry period and after calving. Calves obtained from cows with polyhypomicroelementoses often had the state of hypotrophy and high incidence of dyspepsia at colostric period. Clinical and biochemical status of the analyzed calves was characterized by signs of intoxication and hepatic insufficiency

Studying of topical-product-induced irritation properties of pharmaceutical forms elecampane (Inula helenium) (herbal infusion, tincture, liquid and dry extracts) on skin integuments and conjunctiva of experimental animals (Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), rabbits (Oryctolagus), sheep and piglets). Research results showed that the preparative forms of elecampane had poorly expressed irritating properties after application on the skin of animals, as well as weak irritating action with the exception of the native forms of tincture and liquid extract of eye conjunctiva, that proved their total low toxic effect. Topical-product-induced irritation effect of herbal infusion (1:10), tincture and liquid extract in constitution (40 % concentration) and suspension of dry extract in strength of 10%, 15%, and 20% after the single application on skin could be referred to the I class – absence of irritating action. Topical-product-induced irritation effect of herbal infusion and liquid extract in native form (70% concentration) could be referred to the II class – light irritating action. Irritating activity of herbal infusion of eye conjunctiva was evaluated as light, as it was insignificant and short. Irritating action of suspended matter of dry extract in strength of 10%, 15%, and 20% was estimated as a limited one, which disappeared in 24 hours. Irritating action of tincture and liquid extract in constitution (40 % concentration) was evaluated as a high-grade one, which did not disappear in 24 hours. Irritating action of tincture and liquid extract in native form (70 % concentration) was evaluated as a pronounced one, which did not disappear for than 24 hours