Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV), formerly known as avian pneumovirus (APV) is epizootic agent of turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) and swollen head syndrome (SHS) in turkeys and chickens. The infection primarily affects the upper respiratory tract of young birds (broilers), while also decreases egg production of adult hens. Thus, the development of infection in susceptible birds of any age can cause serious economic losses. The purpose of this study is to test serums from broilers and hens for the presence of antibodies against the avian metapneumovirus. In this series of studies 317 serum samples taken from one 1 day to 75 weeks old birds were tested. Thus, on the basis of serological tests of blood serum and of chicken flocks and broilers, we had a preliminary diagnosis on the presence of avian metapneumovirus infection. Serological studies of unvaccinated against avian metapneumovirus infection bird flocks using the ELISA method showed antibody titers on average at 22 859 ± 4133. Avian metapneumovirus infection in birds was accompanied by a decrease in egg production of chicken flocks by 8.0 - 12.8%.

This article summarizes data of determining a therapeutic dose of a new immunocorrecting drug, dermatocytoglobulin, developed by the authors of this study. It has been established that this drug has a therapeutic immunocorrecting effect on allergic dermatitis. Subjects of the study cattle, horses, of Raimbek – Commercial Diary Farm, 56 dogs and 35 cats admitted to a veterinary clinic. It has been established that administration of dermatocytoglobulin in trial groups reduces autoantibody titers until their elimination on the 12th day, dose of 0.2 cm3 per 10 kg while autoantibody titers in control groups were identified on the 30th day.

The objective of the study was to examine how the circumstances of different bull daughters – Latvian Brown cow - group productivity levels correlate with the blood biochemical composition indices in Latvian conditions. The daughters of seven bulls, selected for our research trial, were kept in the same barn and under rearing conditions. Their blood samples were taken in a single sampling activity and analyzed for blood serum biochemical averages. Also Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Mg were detected in blood serum and the values found were compared with values fixed in regulatory documents. There were changes in Cu levels (daughter groups of four bulls), in Zn levels (one group); Mn level was lower in all groups and Mg level was higher in 6 groups. The altered biochemical parameters of blood were assessed from the pathogenetical point of view and compared with productivity averages in the progeny groups. The correlation factors suggested that there exist a strong positive correlation (p is less than 0.05) among a number of indicators, such as aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and protein r = 0.823; ASAT and somatic cell count (SCC), r = 0.737; blood protein and milk protein r = 0.903 - 0.917; albumins and protein r = 0.964; blood urea and milk protein r = 0.931 - 0.984 along with additional correlations. The correlation factors for the progeny group of each bull differed. The data obtained shows that the Latvian Brown cows crossed with other breeds produce cows with new genetic traits.

This article presents data on veterinary and sanitary evaluation of cows’ (Bovis) meat infected by leptospirosis. The material for the study was a sample of muscle tissue of m. longissimus dorsi taken at slaughter of 10 cows (Bovis) kept on farms in Almaty region. The following parameters have been examined in muscle tissue: water, protein, fat, ash, amino acid composition. Besides the biochemical studies we also measured pH of meat, put the reaction of neutral formalin (Formalin test) and determined the biological value of meat. It was determined that physical and chemical characteristics of sick animal meat have significant deviations from the norm. Such meat rapidly accumulates products of protein decay. The amount of essential and nonessential amino acids decreases, which indicates low nutritional value of meat. Meat of cattle infected by leptospirosis concedes by nutritional and biological value comparing to meat of healthy animals.

The aim of the study was to determine and compare calcium and phosphorus content in pedal mass, visceral mass and shell of wild and bred trial groups’ snails (Helix pomatia). The trial was performed from May to September of 2011 at the Roman Snail Research Facility of the Research Institute of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine „Sigra”, of Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU). Snails were divided in 4 trial groups depending on the diets. Samples were collected from the local natural population of snails and experimental breeding farm in spring (May), summer (July) and autumn (September). Significant differences (p is less than 0.05) were found between the levels of the calcium and phosphorus content in the edible part (pedal mass) and visceral mass in wild snails and experimental trial groups.

Stomach, as a part of the digestive canal, is important in the metabolic processes of the organism which affects the bird’s general health condition, its growth and development, consequently also the increase of the body weight. The aim of the research was to find out the dynamics of weight, length, and area of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) stomach and its parts in postnatal ontogenesis from 4 to 12 months of age. The absolute weight of stomach, length of the greater curvature of the stomach glandular part, diameter of the muscular part, thickness of stomach wall was determined. To find out the differences of the mean values between various age groups, ANOVA and Post Hoch tests were used. The increase of the stomach absolute weight continued throughout the postnatal ontogenesis period, but the stomach weight in relation to the ostrich body weight decreased, especially rapidly at the age of 6 and 8 months. At the same time, proportions of the absolute and relative weight of the stomach glandular and muscular part changed. The length of the greater curvature of the stomach glandular part, length of the deep gland region and diameter of the stomach muscular part increased during the whole observed period of ontogenesis; moreover, these parameters increased more rapidly from 6 to 8 months of age. The area of the stomach glandular and muscular part mucosa increased throughout the observed period of ontogenesis. The area of the superficial gland region in all age groups was larger than the area of the deep gland region.

The aim of investigations was to compare different absorber material efficiency to examine collector tracking the Sun and stationary collector efficiency as well as the efficiency of insulated and non-insulated collectors. The 0.1x0.5x1.0 meter long experimental solar collectors were constructed for investigations and different types of absorber materials were made. The manifold length, the Sun radiation effect on the degree of air heating was analyzed. ASHARE used standard 93-2003 is determined for insulated and non-insulated solar collectors and absorber effectiveness. We determined the influence of the Sun radiation on the air heating degree for those types of absorbers. The experimental data were measured and recorded in the electronic equipment REG (electronic metering and recording equipment of temperature, radiation and lighting). The collector covered material was a polystyrol plate and different absorbers. We compared insulated and non-insulated collectors to prove that the insulated collector is more effective. The insulated collector was made of the collector surfaces faced with cellular plastic two cm plates. Our task was to calculate the air heating solar collector efficiency. The collector tracking the Sun is approximately 30% more efficient than the same type of stationary collectors in operation time for 6 hours. Insulation increases solar panel efficiency especially in windy weather. The insulated collector demonstrates almost two times higher efficiency than the non-insulated collectors (up to 93%) with absorbent material steel tinplate on top.

According to the forecast, in future the number of storms in Latvia is going to increase. The wind and the snow are risk factors influencing damages of forests; the least tolerant species against wind damages is Picea abies (L.) Karst. It is impossible to avoid the damages caused by weather conditions – windbreaks, windthrows, snowbreaks, snow crushes and snowthrows in forests, since they reoccur in certain periods of time. The aim of the research was to analyze the impact of abiotic risk factors on the management of young Picea abies (L.) Karst. stands. Young stands of Norway spruce were researched in all regions of Latvia in 2011 and 2012. These stands were up to 40 years old. In total, 75 stands were measured and surveyed, and 257 sample plots were arranged, where the following damages were identified: frost damages, snow crushes, snowbreaks, snowthrows, windfall and windthrows. The sample plot method was used. The intensity of damages is higher on drained soils. The linear correlation between occurrence and intensity of impact damages caused by abiotic factors was significant (r = 0.988 is greater than r0.05 = 0.253). There is no significant (p = 0.686 is greater than α = 0.05) difference between the intensity of impact damages caused by abiotic risk factors in the stands with regular and irregular shapes of forest compartments. Irregular form forest plots have formed naturally, occurrence of abiotic factors there is 7.5% but the factor intensity – 6.7% and that is higher than in regular forest plots where abovementioned parameters reach 4.7% and 2.9%.

Root rot caused by Heterobasidion spp. is one of the most important pathogens in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in Latvia. It is estimated that in Latvia on average 22.9% of Norway spruce stumps are infected with Heterobasidion spp. The aim of this study was to compare four different electronic devices for Heterobasidion root rot detection in Norway spruce. In the autumn of 2009, in a sample plot located in the forests of Kalsnava district 27 trees were used to compare the possibility of instruments to detect root rot. The results show that IML-RESI F400 accuracy for detecting root rot in Norway spruce is high and the instrument is usable for detecting root rot, but additional accumulators are needed for large sample plots. Rotfinder’s accuracy for detecting root rot varies from probe to probe taken from one tree. Conditiometer AS-1 and Arbo-Sonic decay detector show slightly higher average values for infected trees, but the difference for both instruments between healthy and decayed trees is not significant, thus leaving the usage of instruments questionable.

To forecast how different indices describing Latvian forest industry will develop in the future, the decision support program which is based on the research of supply chains and production processes as well as on systematic analysis of the whole industry should be developed. One of the most common types of analysis is modelling of processes. In this paper processes of forestry and wood processing in Latvia are modelled by using general approach for system modelling, and each process is described as an abstract system where only its input and output values were identified. Correlations of input and output value time series with a simple and multiple regression analysis method were analyzed. Regression analysis was created for 77 pairs of indices which theoretically could have significant correlations. Input and output factor linear regression analysis for set of processes Forestry and Wood processing shows that not always there is significant correlation between time series of chosen model factors. Some of correlations between time series of input and output data in the model of forest sector even showed controversial results. The amount of information about processes and their quantitative indicators in Latvian wood processing industry is not sufficient for development of precise simulation models. There is need to develop a list of criteria for missing information and carry out its collection process.