Fractional Composition of Blood Serum Proteins of Freshwater Fishes under the Cobalt Ions Impact

The role of transamination processes in the tissues of crucian carp (<i>Carassius gibelio</i> Bloch.) and pike (<i>Esox lucius</i> L.) in maintaining the homeostasis of protein metabolites under the impact of 2 and 5 maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of cobalt was studied. Activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in liver of crucian carp and pike increased under the impact sublethal concentrations of Co<sup>2+</sup>, whereas in the muscles and blood plasma changes were insignificant. Changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity under Co<sup>2+</sup> ions had pronounced species, tissue and concentration specificity. On the whole, response of the transamination system in crucian carp and pike to the impact of Co<sup>2+</sup> indicated restructuring of amino acid and protein metabolism in order to ensure energetic and plastic adaptation to the stress toxic impact. Changes of the transamination enzymes' activity reflect the organism's state of the under the impact of heavy metal ions, indicate degree of the studied fishes' resistance to pollution, and can also be used to predict changes in biocenoses under the heavy metal pollution.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health concern, accounting for substantial liver-related illness and death worldwide. The complex protein profile present in both blood serum and saliva is composed of numerous individual proteins, which collectively contribute to the overall protein composition of these bodily fluids. Valuable diagnostic insights can be gleaned from assessing alterations in total serum protein concentrations or variations within distinct protein fractions. Current study aimed to investigate the influence of hepatitis B disease on the matter of total protein concentration, as well as the levels of albumin and globulins, exploring the feasibility of utilizing saliva as a diagnostic fluid to monitor fluctuations in these parameters is of paramount importance. This line of research shows potential for replacing serum with saliva for such diagnostic purposes. This study about the individuals infected with chronic hepatitis B virus was conducted where a total of 50 patients with hepatitis B and 50 with the control group. Concentrations of serum and saliva total proteins and albumin were measured, meantime the concentration of globulin and the ratio of Albumin/Globulin were calculated in both saliva and serum samples of the patients and the healthy groups. Agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to detect the changes in the protein profile in these samples. The findings from total protein measurements indicated a slight non-significant decrease in serum samples, whereas a highly significant decrease (P=0.002) was observed in the saliva samples of patients with hepatitis B in contrast to the healthy control group. Furthermore, a significant decrease (P<0.001) in albumin concentration was noted in the serum samples of these patients, while no significant variation was observed in the saliva samples compared to the respective control groups. However, no significant differences were observed in the concentration of globulins in serum samples, nor the [albumin] /[globulin] ratio. In patients with hepatitis B, the total protein and albumin concentration were found to decrease in both serum and saliva samples. Age and gender were found not significantly affect total protein and albumin levels in the patient group. Albumin concentration decreased in patients compared to the control group when their total protein concentration ranged from 6.1 to 8.4 g/dl. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that chronic hepatitis B influences the composition and concentration of serum and salivary proteins

This experiment was designed to estimate the effect of different levels of dietary protein with the addition of Aqua-Max Plus® (as a feed additive) on growth performance, feed utilization, the chemical composition of the whole fish body, and physiological responses of mono-sex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Six hundred of mono-sex Nile tilapia fingerlings (at average initial bodyweight 52.64 ± 5.2 g) were distributed randomly to five treatments. Experimental diets contain different levels of dietary crude protein 21, 23, 25, 27% (referred to No. T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively) and that were compared to the control diet contains 25% without adding Aqua-Max Plus® (T0). Results revealed that the increasing dietary protein in diets leads to an improvement in growth performance and hematological parameters as well as total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations in blood serum. Fish fed on a diet containing 21% protein (T1) recorded the lowest values of growth performance, feed efficiency, and hematological parameters. The addition of Aqua-Max Plus® to diets containing 23% (T2) and 25% (T3) crude protein enhanced growth performance and feed efficiency parameters compared to the control diet. Protein content was significantly improved, whereas fat, ash and EC contents were reduced by increasing the dietary protein. The addition of Aqua-Max Plus® to the experimental diets had no significant effect on serum biochemical parameters. Finally, the addition of Aqua-Max Plus® in the Nile tilapia diets improve the nutritional values of low protein diets, and it is a way to reduce the cost of fish feed.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum strain 44A doses on growth performance, feed utilization, blood serum parameters, and digestive enzyme activities in Common Carp Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. This bacterium was isolated from healthy Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus. Lactobacillus plantarum was added to the diet in three levels (1.5 × 106, 3 × 106, and 4.5 × 106 colony-forming units [CFU]/mg of feed). A control diet was used as a reference. The results indicated that feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate, daily growth coefficient, protein efficiency ratio, condition factor, thermal-unit growth coefficient, and survival rate of Common Carp fingerlings were best for the treatment group fed with L. plantarum at the 4.5 × 106 CFU/mg level. In general, all L. plantarum treatments had better hematological parameters relative to the control, including red blood cell count, total leucocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. A significant increase in the total protein and globulin concentration in blood serum was found in all probiotic-treated fishes compared with the control group, whereas no significant difference was observed in albumin levels. Other observed changes included lower cortisol and glucose contents in serum blood from probiotic-treated fingerlings than in the control group. Serum lysozyme activity was also considerably greater in fish fed a higher level of L. plantarum compared with the control fish. Mean protease and amylase activities of all probiotic treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control fish. There was no significant difference in lipase level. In conclusion, the improved enzyme activities obtained with the L. plantarum diets suggest that the addition of probiotics improved diet digestibility, including protein, starch, and fattiness, and resulted in better growth performance and feed efficiency (FCR) in Common Carp.

Reproductive performance of crossbred cows reared under traditional low input production system was assessed. A total number of 160 farmers were surveyed and traditional fodders were evaluated for proximate composition. Total protein, albumin and cholesterol concentrations in blood serum were analyzed. The age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval, calving to first service and calving to conception interval were calculated from records of 261 crossbred dairy cows. The crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract, ether extract and total ash content varied from 7.2 to 13.9, 18.2 to 34.4, 39.1 to 59.2, 2.1 to 4.1 and 7.2 to 17.9%, respectively. The total protein and albumin concentrations in blood serum were 7.6 +/- 0.3 and 4.3 +/- 0.3 g/dl, respectively. The cholesterol concentration was 221.1 +/- 8.2mg/dl. The mean age at first service and age at first calving was 28.6 +/- 1.0 and 40.7 +/- 1.1months, respectively. The mean values for calving to first service and calving to conception intervals were 182 +/- 14.5 and 224 +/- 9.0days, respectively. The conception rate was significantly high among the cows that showed typical fern pattern of cervical mucus (56.6%). The conception rate based on 1(st) insemination was 44.4%. The incidence of repeat breeders and anestrus among the crossbred cows were 12.8 and 14.1%, respectively.

1. The effects of seasonal conditions and nutrition on serum proteins and serum urea concentrations were studied in female reindeer and reindeer calves in Finland. With the exception of one group in winter, the reindeer were roaming wild in the forests. This one group was kept in captivity, out of doors, on a comparatively high nutritional plane. One group lived wild during the winter in very poor nutritional conditions. 2. A very clear seasonal variation in the serum protein and urea concentration was found. The serum protein concentration was low in late winter and increased rapidly during the summer, being high in the autumn. The serum urea concentration was also low in the winter and high in the summer. In the autumn, however, the serum urea concentration was again low. 3. Changes in the serum protein concentration were normally associated with the serum globulins. Only in the very poor-nutrition group did the albumin content decrease significantly. As a result of the large changes in the concentration of serum globulins, there were also considerable changes in the albumin: globulin ratio. 4. The serum protein concentration was much lower in the reindeer calves than in the adult reindeer. The concentration of globulins in particular was much lower than in the adults.

Особливості обміну речовин чистопородного і помісного молодняку свиней

To evaluate several practice-adapted assays for determination of passive transfer status in crias. 24 llama and 9 alpaca crias. Prospective study. Serum IgG concentration was measured by use of a radial immunodiffusion assay when crias were 45 to 51 hours old. Results were compared with serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and total solids concentrations, and results of commercially available and traditional sodium sulfite turbidity (SST) tests. Mean (+/- SD) serum IgG concentration was 1,762 +/- 1,153 mg/dl. On the basis of a threshold value of 1,000 mg of IgG/dl at 48 hours of age, 5 of 33 (15.15%) crias had failure of passive transfer. Serum total solids, protein, and globulin concentrations were significantly associated with serum IgG concentration, whereas serum GGT activity and serum albumin concentration were not. Serum IgG concentrations were significantly different among crias with negative, 2+, and 3+ scores on the traditional SST test. Serum IgG concentrations were not significantly different between crias with negative and 100 mg/dl scores or 100 and 300 mg/dl scores on the commercially available SST test. However, all other comparisons between crias with different scores revealed significant differences. Sensitivity and specificity ranged between 0 and 1, depending on the test and endpoint selected. The commercially available SST test and determination of serum total protein and globulin concentrations are suitable methods for assessing passive transfer status in llama and alpaca crias.

Introduction. The influence of natural silicon (Si) on the organism of laboratory animals was studied at levels corresponding to the current maximum permissible concentration of Si in drinking water. The first part of the study revealed a positive effect of the element on the activity of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, the content of total protein, albumin and creatinine in blood serum. The second part of the study examined the manifestations of oxidative stress and the state of the antioxidant defense system in the same animals. Materials and methods. The effect of drinking water containing natural Si at MPC levels was assessed in a 3-month experiment on eighty white outbred male rats. There were studied biochemical indices characterizing oxidative stress and the state of antioxidant defense including the content of malondialdehyde (MDA); activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), albumin content in blood serum. Results. The silicon entering the body of animals at concentrations of 17±3.4 mg/l and 20.5±4.1 mg/l significantly affected the manifestation of oxidative stress and the state of antioxidant defense indices. A decrease in the SOD, CAT, and GPX activity was recorded in parallel with a decline in the MDA content in the blood hemolysate and an increase in the albumin content in the blood serum. Limitations. Limitations of the study are related to the short duration of observation and the small number of points for determining biochemical indices over time. Conclusion. Natural silicon contained in drinking water in concentrations close to the maximum permissible concentration had a positive effect on the balance of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection, reducing oxidative stress in laboratory animals. The data obtained in the 1st and 2nd parts of the study on the positive effects of the natural silicon entering the body in laboratory animals at MPC levels need to be confirmed in longer and more detailed experiments. One of the reasons for health problems among the population of the silicon biogeochemical province of Chuvashia may presumably be the undetected intake of nanosilicon from drinking water.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) provides useful information in ruminants, but reference intervals (RI) are different from other species. There have been no reports of SPE RI for dairy sheep using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the serum concentration of total protein (TP) and protein fractions determined by AGE in mid-lactating dairy ewes, to establish RI, and to assess potential differences between Lacaune (L) and Sarda (S) sheep breeds. Blood samples were collected from healthy, mid-lactating ewes. SPE was assessed using a semi-automated AGE system. Reference intervals (90% confidence intervals) for TP and each protein fraction were determined using the nonparametric method for combined data, and the robust method for data from the single breeds. Data from S and L sheep were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The 172 sheep included 116 L and 56 S ewes, 2-6 years old. There were significant differences between S and L breeds, and RI were calculated for TP, albumin, α1 -globulin, α2 -globulin, β1 -globulin, β2 -globulin, γ1 -globulin, and γ2 -globulin concentrations, and for the Albumin/Globulin ratio. Group S showed higher concentrations of TP, α2 -, β1 -, β2 -, and γ1 -globulins, whereas L was higher for albumin and γ2 -globulin concentrations, and A/G ratio (P < .05). The resolution with AGE was excellent, allowing standardization of 7 protein fractions, detection of differences between S and L ewes, and determination of RI for French (Lacaune) and Italian (Sarda) dairy sheep.

Concentrations of 17β-oestradiol (E(2) ), testosterone (T), 5α-dihydrotestosterone, prolactin (PRL) and relaxin (RLN) were determined in peripheral blood serum or plasma and prostatic secretion of 77 physically healthy intact male dogs (19 Rhodesian Ridgebacks/RR, 58 dogs of other breeds, 1-9 years of age). Furthermore, the concentrations of acid phosphatase in prostatic secretion and canine prostate-specific esterase (CPSE) were measured in blood plasma. All dogs were submitted to a complete breeding soundness examination, including B-mode sonography. Prostatic volume was larger, and blood plasma levels of CPSE were higher in ageing dogs and in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) compared with young dogs and dogs with normal prostate. Furthermore, a higher E(2) /T ratio was found in dogs with BPH. Despite missing significant differences in PRL concentrations, the slight increases in PRL concentrations in the prostatic secretion observed both with increasing age and in dogs with BPH and the observed correlations between concentrations of PRL and testicular steroids may possibly indicate a role of PRL in the pathogenesis of canine BPH. Serum RLN concentrations were at similar level in all dogs. Regarding breed differences, an appreciably larger prostatic volume and higher concentration of CPSE were verified in RR than in other pure-bred dogs, confirming our suspicion of a premature enlargement of the prostate gland, which may result from a genetic disposition for BPH in this breed.

J agos P., Bouda J.: Protein Metabolism in Cows and their Calves Fed from Buckets. Acta vet. Brno, 49, 1980: 59-66. The level of total protein, protein fractions, immune globulins in blood and colostral serum of 40 cows and in blood serum of their calves up to the age of 3 months were determined. No significant differences in the concentration of total proteins and their fractions in blood serum in cows ante and post partum were found. The concentration of total protein in colostral serum was found to be signi­ ficantly higher (P < 0.01) than that in blood serum of cows. The average value of total protein in blood serum of calves prior to the ingestion of colostrum was 41.7 gil. The gamma globulin values in blood serum of calves reached the maximum after 24 hours upon the first ingestion of colostrum. The lowest gamma globulin values were found in calves of 3 - 6 weeks of age. Immune globulins correlated with gamma globulins and decreased below the standard in almost 50 % of calves 3 days old. The absorbed gamma globulin from colostrum participated in increasing the total protein content in blood serum of calves. Besides the determination of serum gamma globulins and immune globulins the total protein determination by the re­ fractometric method can therefore be used for the diagnosis of hypogammaglobu­ linemia in calves. The level of serum immune globulins should not fall below 20 units and should be measured from the 2nd to 7th day of calf age. Late and less frequent colostrum ingestion was found to be one of the causes of low immune globulin levels. Cow, calf, blood serum, colostrum, proteins, albumins, globulins, gamma globulins, immune globulins, electrophoresis, hypogammaglobulinemia, metabolism.

The article presents the results of studies on the dynamics of total protein content in blood serum of sows depending on the cortical and vegetative mechanisms of regulation under exposure to technological stimulus. Experiments were carried out on 3 years old pigs of large white breed. Types of higher nervous activity in pigs were determined using method of conditioned food reflexes. According to the studying of conditioned reflex activity 4 experimental groups were formed, 5 animals in each. The 1-st group consisted of sows with strong balanced mobile, the 2-nd – strong balanced inert, the 3-rd – strong unbalanced, and the 4-th – weak types of higher nervous activity. Then in experimental animals we studied the tone of the autonomic nervous system using trygeminovagal test, by the results of which we formed 3 experimental groups (normotonics, sympathicotonics, vagotonics), 5 animals in each. Before exposure to technological stimulus and in 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after its impact, blood samples were taken for biochemical studies in all experimental animals. Before exposure to technological stimulus content of total protein in swine blood serum between animals with strong types of higher nervous activity did not differ significantly. Animals with weak type of higher nervous activity had lower level of this metabolite than animals with strong balanced mobile type. After exposure to technological stimulus the total protein level in swine blood serum significantly decreased. In sows with strong balanced mobile type, the content of total protein starting from the 7-th day after exposure to technological stimulus returned to values that were before stress factor impact. At the same time, in sows with weak type of higher nervous activity, the level of total protein in blood returned to the reference values only in 28 days after exposure to technological stimulus. The basal level of total protein in blood serum in pigs with different tone of autonomic nervous system didn’t differ significantly. In sows normotonics was found a significantly higher content of total protein in blood serum than in sows vagotonics and sympathicotonics during first week after exposure to stress factor.

The effect of dietary protein supplementation on the pathophysiology of a single Haemonchus contortus infection in 2-year-old Boer dry does under confined conditions was examined. Twenty-four does were randomly confined in individual pens and allocated into three groups balanced by their liveweight. The goats in the Control group were offered a basal diet whereas goats in Treatments 1 and 2 were fed the basal diet plus 25% and 50% dietary protein increments, respectively. Each animal was orally administrated 100 H. contortus L3 larvae/kg liveweight on Day 0 of the experiment. The goat liveweights and FAMACHA scores were recorded at weekly intervals. Packed cell volumes, eosinophil percentage, haemoglobin concentration, total serum protein, globulin, and albumin concentrations were recorded on Days 0 and 14, and then at weekly intervals during the experiments. Faecal egg counts were measured on Days 0, 21, and then at weekly intervals thereafter. Antigen-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM titres were determined from Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays tests on Days 0, 28, and at the termination of the experiment. The results of this study showed that a single H. contortus L3 infection did not cause pathogenic effects in 2-year-old Boer dry does. Dietary protein supplementation significantly lowered faecal egg count and significantly enhanced IgG titres (P &lt; 0.05). However, the higher protein diets did not have any significant effects on liveweight, packed cell volumes, haemoglobin concentration, biological parameters (total serum protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations), and peripheral antibodies (IgA and IgM titres) between the treatments. Further investigations are required to clarify the role of protein supplementation to control H. contortus infection in goats.

In today’s conditions of growing anthropogenic pressure on aquatic ecosystems, the problem of heavy metal accumulation, including cobalt ions, is becoming particularly relevant. Cobalt ions can enter aquatic environments as a result of mining activities, metallurgy, and the production of batteries, dyes, catalysts, and magnetic materials. It is collectively may lead to local exceedances of permissible concentration limits in freshwater ecosystems. Despite the fact that cobalt is a biogenic element in low concentrations, its excess has a toxic effect on hydrobionts, in particular affecting lipid homeostasis. One of the sensitive indicators of metabolic disorders in fish is a change in the fatty acid composition of tissues, which can be used as a bioindicator of toxic pressure and the functional state of the organism. The paper analyses changes in the fatty acid composition of the muscle tissue of crucian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch) and pike (Esox lucius L.) under the influence of cobalt ions at concentrations of 0.1 mg/dm³ and 0.25 mg/dm³ over a period of 14 days. These concentrations correspond to 2 and 5 maximum permissible concentrations. Total lipids were extracted and transesterified to obtain fatty acid methyl esters, which were then analyzed by gas chromatography for the quantitative determination of individual fatty acids. In crucian carp, the influence of cobalt ions led to significant changes in the composition of essential fatty acids. In particular, the fractions of saturated myristic acid (14:0) and long-chain monounsaturated eicosenoic acid (20:1) increased proportionally to the concentration of the investigated metal, while the levels of stearic acid (18:0) and oleic acid (18:1) decreased. A more systematic effect was observed in pike muscles: the content of many saturated fatty acid fractions decreased compared to the control group, while changes in the proportions of key polyunsaturated fatty acids likely indicate impaired desaturase activity. In the pike organism, a more systemic effect of cobalt ions was observed, which consisted in a tendency to decrease the amount of most saturated fatty acids. Some nutritional indices for assessing fatty acids were also analyzed. Key words: fishes, fatty acids, defense system, physiological response, regulation, adaptive reactions, biomonitoring, toxic pollution, cobalt