Animal Body Research Articles

Ankrd1 inhibits the FAK/Rho-GTPase/F-actin pathway by downregulating ITGA6 transcriptional to regulate myoblast functions.

Skeletal muscle constitutes the largest percentage of tissue in the animal body and plays a pivotal role in the development of normal life activities in the organism. However, the regulation mechanism of skeletal muscle growth and development remains largely unclear. This study investigated the effects of Ankrd1 on the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Here, we identified Ankrd1 as a potential regulator of muscle cell development, and found that Ankrd1 knockdown resulted in the proliferation ability decrease but the differentiation level increase of C2C12 cells. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyzes as well as RNA-seq results showed that Ankrd1 knockdown activated focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/F-actin signal pathway with most genes significantly enriched in this pathway upregulated. The integrin subunit Itga6 promoter activity is increased when Ankrd1 knockdown, as demonstrated by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. This study revealed the molecular mechanism by which Ankrd1 knockdown enhanced FAK phosphorylation activity through the alteration of integrin subunit levels, thus activating FAK/Rho-GTPase/F-actin signal pathway, eventually promoting myoblast differentiation. Our data suggested that Ankrd1 might serve as a potential regulator of muscle cell development. Our findings provide new insights into skeletal muscle growth and development and valuable references for further study of human muscle-related diseases.

Persepsi Pengrajin dalam Pengelolaan Limbah Cair Batik Kabupaten Bojonegoro

Batik waste is waste produced from batik producing activities which can have a negative impact. In general, the process of making batik will channel wastewater into the surrounding air which causes various pollution, including color changes, increased pH, COD, BOD, TSS, odors, changes in the taste of the air, soil and ground air pollution, and the influence of chemicals on the bodies of plants, animals and humans. Craft perceptions relate to batik waste management, including knowledge, awareness and economic limitations. The research method approach applied is to use a quantitative descriptive approach. The research location is in the center of the small and medium batik industry (IKM) in Bojonegoro Regency. There are 10 batik SMEs as a complete sample of the population. The method used to measure craftsmen's perceptions is the Likert Scale. As many as 100% of the community felt the benefits in the form of a source of income, opening up employment opportunities, preserving local culture and so on. The level of public perception regarding the benefits of batik wastewater management was obtained: 80% agreed that wastewater management could reduce surface air, soil, groundwater and air pollution, 70% could expand the product market, and 100% strongly agreed that it could reduce the cost of purchasing candles. The community agrees that managing IPAL requires expensive investment and maintenance costs, as well as skilled human resources. Changes in air color, odor and causing cancer, decreased DO, air surface quality, ground water and soil are also threats if batik wastewater is not managed. The community quite agrees that there will be a decrease in soil fertility, and the killing of air and soil organisms can occur if wastewater pollution occurs. The level of public perception reaches 100%, the need to carry out socialization and training for IPAL operators and inadequate human resources are challenges in managing batik waste. Another aspect to consider is inadequate economic conditions and low awareness of craftsmen.

Light sensitivity in Beroidae ctenophores: Insights from laboratory studies and genomics

Light detection underlies a variety of animal behaviors, including those related to spatial orientation, feeding, avoidance of predators, and reproduction. Ctenophores are likely the oldest animal group in which light sensitivity based on opsins evolved, so they may still have the ancestral molecular mechanisms for photoreception. However, knowledge about ctenophore photosensitivity, associated morphological structures, molecular mechanisms involved, and behavioral reactions is limited and fragmented. We present the initial experiments on the responses of adult Beroe ovata to high-intensity light exposure with different spectra and photosensitivity in various parts of the animal's body. Ctenophores have shown a consistent behavioral response when their aboral organ is exposed to a household-grade laser in the violet spectrum. To investigate the genes responsible for the photosensitivity of Beroidae, we have analyzed transcriptome and genome-wide datasets. We identified three opsins in Beroe that are homologous to those found in Mnemiopsis leidyi (Lobata) and Pleurobrachia bachei (Cydippida). These opsins form clades Ctenopsin1, 2, and 3, respectively. Ctenopsin3 is significantly distinct from other ctenophore opsins and clustered outside the main animal opsin groups. The Ctenopsin1 and Ctenopsin2 groups are sister clusters within the canonical animal opsin tree. These two groups could have originated from gene duplication in the common ancestor of the species we studied and then developed independently in different lineages of Ctenophores. So far, there is no evidence of additional expansion of the opsin family in ctenophore evolution. The involvement of ctenophore opsins in photoreception is discussed by analyzing their protein structures.

AGE-DEPENDENCE OF BIOCHEMICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF HEPATOTOXICINJURY IN RAT EXPOSED TO XENOBIOTICS OF VARIOUS GENESIS

Currently, the problem of liver diseases against the backdrop of the toxic effects of medicinal and industrial (herbicides) xenobiotics on the body is becoming increasingly relevant. The activation of compensatory mechanisms in response to the action of toxic agents –acetaminophen and/or diquat is closely related to age-specific features. Heightened focus on acetaminophen-induced injury is linked to the widespread use of this medication as an analgesic and antipyretic during pandemics of infectious and inflammatory diseases, especially under the conditions of warfare in Ukraine. In return, the widespread use of the herbicide diquat is accompanied by an increase in the registration of cases of diquat -induced acute poisoning. The aim of study was to evaluation the biochemical parameters of the functional state of the liver of different-aged rats under conditions of acetaminophen-and diquat-induced toxic injury. Animals were divided into three age groups: adolescent (60 days), reproductive (150 days), and mature age rats (360 days). Acute toxic injury by acetaminophen was modeled by its oral administration through gastric intubation at a daily dose of 1250 mg/kg of the animal's body weight during the last 2 days of the experiment. Acute toxic damage by diquat was modeled by a single intragastric administration using a probe at a dose of 115.5 mg/kg of the animal's body weight. The functional state of the liver was assessed on an automatic biochemical analyzer NTI Biochem FC-120.Acetaminophen intoxication led to an increase in the absolute liver mass indicator, organ index, changes in the macroscopic structure of the organ, increased serum activities of ALT and AST, total LDH, and a decrease in the De Ritis ratio amidst increased activities of ALP, GGT, and levels of total and indirect bilirubin in all age groups compared to the control. The most significant changes were observed in mature age animals (increase in ALT activity by 76%, AST by 56%, ALP by 51%, GGT by 51%, and a decrease in the De Ritis ratio by 47%). Under conditionsof diquat-induced toxic injury, a slightly different trend and degree in manifestation of established changes are observed. A more pronounced hepatotoxic effect was registered in adolescent animals, manifested by the maximum increase in absolute liver mass by 26%, ALT activity by 71%, AST by 47%, ALP by 50%, Bili-T level by 69%. No statistically significant differences compared to the control and APAP-induced injury in the activity of total LDH and GGT upon administration of toxic doses of the herbicide diquat regardless of age category were observed.Based on the experimental results, an age-related multidirectionality in the adverse effects of the medicinal xenobiotic acetaminophen and the industrial xenobiotic diquat on indicators of the morpho-functional state of the liver is observed. The most sensitive age group of animals to toxic injury by acetaminophen are rats of 360 days of age, while for diquat –60 days of age

Goats on the Move: Evaluating Machine Learning Models for Goat Activity Analysis Using Accelerometer Data.

Putting sensors on the bodies of animals to automate animal activity recognition and gain insight into their behaviors can help improve their living conditions. Although previous hard-coded algorithms failed to classify complex time series obtained from accelerometer data, recent advances in deep learning have improved the task of animal activity recognition for the better. However, a comparative analysis of the generalizing capabilities of various models in combination with different input types has yet to be addressed. This study experimented with two techniques for transforming the segmented accelerometer data to make them more orientation-independent. The methods included calculating the magnitude of the three-axis accelerometer vector and calculating the Discrete Fourier Transform for both sets of three-axis data as the vector magnitude. Three different deep learning models were trained on this data: a Multilayer Perceptron, a Convolutional Neural Network, and an ensemble merging both called a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network. Besides mixed cross-validation, every model and input type combination was assessed on a goat-wise leave-one-out cross-validation set to evaluate its generalizing capability. Using orientation-independent data transformations gave promising results. A hybrid Convolutional Neural Network with L2-norm as the input combined the higher classification accuracy of a Convolutional Neural Network with the lower standard deviation of a Multilayer Perceptron. Most of the misclassifications occurred for behaviors that display similar accelerometer traces and minority classes, which could be improved in future work by assembling larger and more balanced datasets.

Comparative Genomic and Functional Analyses for Insights into Pantoea agglomerans Strains Adaptability in Diverse Ecological Niches.

Pantoea agglomerans inhabit diverse ecological niches, ranging from epiphytes and endophytes in plants, body of animals, and occasionally in the human system. This multifaceted bacterium contributes substantially to plant growth promotion, stress resilience, and biocontrol but can also act as a pathogen to its host. The genetic determinants underlying these diverse functions remain largely unfathomed and to uncover this phenomenon,nineteenstrains ofPantoea agglomeranswere selected and analyzed. Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator (GGDC) which uses the Genome Blast Distance Phylogeny (GBDP) technique to calculate digital DDH values.Phylogenetic analysis via Genome-to-Genome distance, Average Nucleotide Identity, and Amino Acid Identity calculation revealed that all strains belonged to the genusPantoea. However, strain 33.1 had a lower value than the threshold for the same species delineation. Bacterial Pan Genome Analysis (BPGA) Pipeline and MinPath analysis revealed genetic traits associated with environmental resilience, such as oxidative stress, UV radiation, temperature extremes, and metabolism of distinct host-specific carbohydrates. Protein-protein interactome analysis illustrated osmotic stress proteins closely linked with core proteins, while heavy metal tolerance, nitrogen metabolism, and Type III and VI secretion systems proteins generally associated with pathogenicity formed a separate network, indicating strain-specific characteristics. These findings shed new light on the intricate genetic architecture ofPantoea agglomerans, revealing its adaptability to inhabit diverse niches and thrive in varied environments.

Molecular Rebellions. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Aesthetics of Contamination in Trans Performance Art

ABSTRACT Hormones are molecular messengers in the body’s metabolism. They regulate, for instance, reproduction, digestion, organ systems and gene expression. The past century brought with it a proliferation of synthetic substances and other industrial chemical compounds, generally referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals interfere with the hormonal systems of human and animal bodies alike and are able to, among other things, fundamentally disrupt, mimic or block the functioning of the hormonal system. In this article I investigate the forces of chemical toxicity and its impact on all living bodies on this planet from a queer and trans perspective. EDCs and specifically EDC discourses have a particular effect on queer- and transness. Applying queer reading and autoethnography, I want to think here with two performances by Finnish artist Teo Ala-Ruona about the impact of EDCs on our human bodies, our planet and the relations and imaginaries that emerge in Ala-Ruona’s work, blending transness and endocrine disruptors in ways different to those currently being suggested by life science and populist discourses. In my engagement with Ala-Ruona’s work I consider that his work not only materializes a new imaginary of embodiment but also demonstrates a multi-molecular, rebellious becoming with and through toxins that intervenes in the risk narratives commonly flanking EDC discourses.

Clinico-histopathological and molecular detection of small ruminants' papillomaviruses in Iran.

Papilloma DNA viruses are one of the viruses that cause skin lesions in ruminants. The clinical, histopathological and molecular characteristics of cutaneous papilloma in ruminants in Iran are to be investigated in this study. Samples were collected from 19 small ruminants (5 sheep and 14 goats) with various papillomatosis lesions. The samples taken were studied with histopathological and molecular techniques. In clinical terms, the lesions appeared in different sizes, ranging from 0.5 to 11cm, and the cauliflower exophytic masses appeared in other parts of the animal's body. In the limbs, most papilloma lesions have been seen (42.1%). In histopathological examination, perinuclear vacuolation epidermal granule layer with various degrees of hypergranulosis, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, orthokeratosis and parakeratosis were seen. Moreover, all the suspected samples were positive for papillomavirus using the polymerase chain reaction technique. Although the prevalence of papillomaviruses in Iranian sheep and goats is low, it seems necessary to distinguish them from other viral skin diseases, such as cutaneous contagious ecthyma, using molecular techniques and histopathology.

Family resemblance in color-patch size is not affected by stress experience in a cichlid fish.

Animal body coloration is often linked to social dominance and mating success. This is because it can carry information on an animal's body condition and competitive ability by reflecting the genetic quality of individuals or by responding to their current or past living conditions. The present study investigates genetic and environmental effects on a conspicuous color pattern of the cichlid fish Tropheus sp. black "Ikola," in which the size of a carotenoid-based yellow area on the body co-varies with social dominance. To examine environmental plasticity of the color pattern, we tested for effects of early-life stress, induced by reduced feeding of juveniles prior to color pattern formation, as well as effects of a stress treatment administered to fully colored adult fish. None of the stress treatments affected the color pattern as quantified by the width of the yellow bar. However, offspring bar width was correlated to parental values in mid-parent-mid-offspring regression analyses, and animal models estimated significant additive genetic effects on bar width, indicating heritability of the trait. Depending on the random effects structure of the animal models (i.e., whether including or excluding maternal and brood effects), narrow-sense heritability estimates for bar width ranged between 0.2 and 0.8, with the strongest statistical support for the highest estimate. In each of the alternative models, a large proportion of the total variance in bar width was explained by the included random effects, suggesting that bar width is strongly determined by genetic factors or shared maternal and brood environments, with limited scope for environmental influences later in life.

Mercury in Zhongar Alatau (Kazakhstan) and Carpathian mountains (Slovakia): songbirds and mice as indicators

Abstract Anthropogenic activities have contributed to the increase of heavy metals and to the alteration of their natural cycles in the environment. Mercury (Hg) is now considered to be one of the most toxic elements whose levels need to be monitored in abiogenic and biogenic environmental compartments. It can enter the body of animal in several ways, mainly through contaminated food. In this study, we compared mercury levels in mouse hair and songbird feathers from Zhongar Alatau National Park in Kazakhstan and from national parks in Slovakia. We sampled mice of the genus Apodemus and songbirds of three genera – Parus, Phylloscopus and Turdus. Total mercury concentrations were measured using DMA-80. The results showed higher levels of Hg bioaccumulation in Slovakia than in Kazakhstan in both songbirds and mice. The three songbird species from Kazakhstan showed differences due to different feeding niches. High levels were found in thrushes, which are considered insectivorous ground feeders, whereas the lowest mercury concentrations were detected in tits, which are considered more generalist feeders. In Slovakia, the trend was different, with tits having similar levels of Hg to thrushes, a reflection of the different levels of contamination of environmental components. Mice showed overall lower concentrations than birds at both sites.

Stable body sizes in soil nematodes across altitudes: The role of intrageneric variation in community assembly.

Animal body size exhibits rapid responses to environmental variations and displays considerable variability across ecological scales, significantly influencing ecological community assembly. However, our understanding of the extent of body size variation and its responses to environmental differences within soil fauna remains limited, impeding a comprehensive grasp of soil fauna's functional ecology. Here, we aim to investigate the magnitude of intrageneric body size variation and its implications for soil nematode community assembly along an altitudinal gradient. We examined soil nematode body size responses along an altitudinal gradient spanning from 3136 to 4128 m in an alpine mountain region of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We assessed the contributions of intra- and intergeneric variations in body size, both within and among communities, using individual body size values. The implications of these variations for community assembly processes were determined through phenotypic variance ratios employing permutation tests. Our analyses did not reveal statistically significant correlations between altitude and the community-weighted mean body mass, regardless of considering intrageneric trait variation (IGTV). Approximately 15% of the variation in body size among communities and a substantial 72% of the variation in body size within communities can be attributed to IGTV. Altitude did not significantly affect IGTV within or among communities. Furthermore, our results underscored the dominant role of internal filtering within the community in governing nematode community assembly, with external filtering outside the community playing a limited role within our altitudinal range. Our findings emphasize the dominant role of body size variation within communities rather than among communities, attributable to strong internal filtering processes. These findings advance our understanding of body size variation in soil nematodes across ecological scales and highlight the pivotal role of intrageneric variation in shaping the functional ecology of soil fauna.

Estimating body condition of Apennine brown bears using subjective scoring based on camera trap photographs

The assessment of animal body condition has important practical and management implications for endangered wildlife populations. The nutritional condition of a population can be evaluated in a non-invasive way using photogrammetry techniques, avoiding direct manipulation. This study evaluates the utility of using body condition scoring (BCS) based on the visual assessment of subcutaneous fat and muscle from the body contour as a non-invasive method to quantify body condition in free ranging bears from camera trap photographs. Photographs of Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus), taken between 2007 and 2009 in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (PNALM, Italy), were used to evaluate the potential of this technique. BCS assessment was performed on 754 photographs representing 71 independent observations. Forty-eight of these photographs were selected to also score quantitative body ratios using a standardised measure of torso height. BCS varied seasonally, as expected by food availability and brown bear nutritional physiology, and it was also positively correlated to all three body ratios. Our findings indicate that BCS assessment is a good proxy for body condition, and that camera trap data can be effectively used to assess and monitor the nutritional condition of bear populations, such as the critically endangered one in central Italy.

Professor Boris I. Slovtsov — the first Head of the Department of Pharmacology of the Imperial Nicholas University of Saratov (to the 150th anniversary)

The article presents the contribution of Professor Boris I. Slovtsov to the development of Russian science during his work at the Military Medical Academy, the St. Petersburg Women's Medical Institute and the Imperial Nikolaev University (Saratov). His scientific research in the field of biochemistry, nutrition, fasting, physiology of labor, as well as in the study of the effect of chemical warfare agents on the body of animals is shown. The work highlights the issues of improving the educational process in the training of medical personnel in medical universities of the country and social activities. Professor B. I. Slovtsov made a significant contribution to the organization and formation of the Department of Pharmacology with Formulation, Toxicology and the Study of Mineral Waters at the Medical Faculty of the Imperial Nikolaev University (Saratov) in 1910-1912.

SOME BIOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HYPODERMA LATREILLE, 1818 IN TAVUSH REGION OF ARMENIA

Background. Cattle hypodermosis is a chronic parasitic disease (entomosis) that occurs as a result of parasitizing the larvae of warble flies in the body of animals. Disease is common in more than 55 countries of the world, causing great economic damage. It is considered as a parasitic disease with a certain zoonotic potential. Purpose. To conduct research on biological and ecological features of the warble flies that determines certain epidemiological traits of the caused pathology in Tavush Region of Armenia. Materials and methods. The observations were carried out in Tavush Region, and the experiments were carried out at the Research Center for Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Sanitary Expertise at the Armenian National Agrarian University. The warble flies marked with stain, were released at a distance of 0.5 to 1.5 km from livestock farms with subsequent search and trapping of insects, located on pastures and on the skin of animals. Generally, 275 warble flies were released. Warble fly activity was evaluated visually counting the comparative number of flying insects at the fixed point per minute at different times of the day, as well as animal anxiety state caused by warble flies was identified. Statistical processing of experimental data was performed by means of “Vassart.net” online calculator. Results. Female warble flies Hypoderma bovis flew up to 12.1 km, while female warble flies H. lineatum did it up to 8.6 km. Females of H. bovis and H. lineatum demonstrated various spatial and circadian flying activity that depends on season, and altitude above the sea level. Spring generation of warble flies is more resistant to low air temperatures compared to the summer generation. Mild and humid summers, as well as an increase in the number of animals, contribute to an increase in the population of warble flies, while high temperature and high soil moisture contribute to the mass death of warble fly pupae developing in the ground. Conclusion. The research data cited in the article, detect the presence of a wide range of biocenotic factors that determine the epidemiology of cattle hypodermosis in the Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia. Cattle hypodermosis control plan was designed based on the results of the research, as well as natural and climatic conditions of Tavush region. Pasture prevention activities and periodic treatment of the cattle with insecticides were emphasized.

Diversity of Free-Living Protozoa

Single-celled creatures are known as protozoa. They range in size and shape from amoebas, which can vary in their shape, to parameciums, which have sophisticated structures and a fixed shape. They inhabit many different types of moist habitats, such as freshwater, saltwater, and soil. In order to make nutrients usable by plants and other soil organisms, protozoa play a crucial role in the mineralization of minerals. Because of their widespread nature, protozoa can withstand a broad variety of physicochemical conditions, such as salinity, pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration. Instead of being dispersed randomly, they reside in tiny areas called microhabitats, which can be as small as a few cubic centimeters, found in moist environments like soil, vegetation, or the bodies of plants and animals. The free-living protozoan’s communities are highly diverse, the protozoan’s communities of the water and soil in Tigris river were predominantly ciliates which comprise the highest number of species and number of individual within the groups of protozoa.

Physiological justification of diagnostic and therapeutic measures for allergic flea dermatitis

In modern conditions, the percentage of allergic diseases increases every year. A sufficient number of studies have been devoted to the study of various aspects of the pathology under consideration in small pets, but its solution will contribute to a comfortable life for the patient. According to the conducted research, it was found that among dermatological diseases, there were such as allergic: in cats 22.2%, in dogs 15.5%; parasitic in cats 13.3%, in dogs 10.5%; fungal in cats 6.3%, in dogs 7.2%, bacterial in cats 5.8%, in dogs 6.4%; thermal in cats 5.2%, in dogs 2.3%, chemical in cats 5.3%, in dogs 2.2%. Flea allergic dermatitis is a hypersensitivity reaction to one or more components of fleas, especially to allergens contained in their saliva. Flea dermatitis is most often recorded in late summer, which corresponds to the peak of flea numbers. The purpose of flea control is to eliminate them on pets, eliminate existing contamination in the environment and prevent re-infection. The main symptoms indicating allergic flea dermatitis: severe itching; numerous wounds due to scratching; hair falling out, the appearance of bald patches on the animal's body, ulcers covered with crusts; lack of appetite, vomiting; inappropriate behavior, irritability. When diagnosing allergic flea dermatitis, a number of factors were taken into account, including anamnesis, clinical signs, results of a wet test for the presence of fleas or their excrement, cytology of skin scraping, as well as the exclusion of other causes of dermatological diseases including atopic dermatitis and food allergies. The clinical signs of allergic flea dermatitis are variable and depend on the duration of the disease, as well as the degree of hypersensitivity and the consequences of previous or current treatment.

Effects of Functional Pinealectomy on Immunity, Hematopoietic, Gastrointestinal and Urinary Systems in Experimentally Malnutritioned Rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate morphological changes in immunity, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal and urinary systems in different melatonin (MEL) release situations in a rat model of protein energy malnutrition (PEM). Methods: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were assigned into four equal groups: normal control; PEM light/dark; PEM light, called functional pinealectomy (Px); and PEM dark. PEM was produced with a 50% restricted diet, Px was produced by keeping rats in continuous light environment for 24 hours, and complete blood count and serum albumin level were analyzed at the end of the 6-week experimental period. Measurements of weights of body and some visceral organs were obtained, biochemical and morphological parameters were analyzed in addition to measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutatione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in tissue samples. Results: A reduction in the weights of body and visceral organs of animals in the PEM groups was accompanied by hypoalbuminemia, anemia, leukopenia and lymphopenia, and higher MDA, GSH, TNF-α and IL-10 levels in visceral tissues. There was a significant decrease in parenchymal cells of the liver and spleen, duodenal villi, lymphoid structures and kidney glomeruli, but there was an increase in the spleen capsule thickness and renal Bowman’s space, sinusoidal congestion and fat accumulation in the liver. Importantly, these findings were milder in the PEM dark group, while they were prominent in the PEM light group. Conclusions: This study suggests that MEL has a protective role in reducing the negative effects of PEM, making it a potential therapeutic agent for further investigation.

Peculiarities of the blood system of animals under the conditions of consumption of drinking water containing chlorates

In modern conditions, providing the population with high-quality drinking water is becoming an increasingly urgent hygienic, scientific, technical, and social problem. Chlorine dioxide can be an alternative reagent for disinfecting drinking water. However, as with chlorine, dangerous by-products, particularly chlorites and chlorates are formed. The processes of development of morphofunctional changes in homeostasis remain insufficiently studied in this aspect. The objective is to determine the nature and peculiarities of changes in hematological indicators in the blood of animals due to the chronic impact of various concentrations of chlorates in drinking water to establish criteria for the hygienic assessment of their adverse effects on the body. The test animals were given drinking water with different concentrations of chlorates daily for 6 months: group 1 – control, group 2 – chlorates at a dose of 0.2 mg/dm³, group 3 – chlorates at a dose of 0.7 mg/dm³, and group 4 – chlorates at a dose of 1.2 mg/dm³. Evaluating the results of experimental studies, it should be noted that the most pronounced changes are observed in groups of animals that received chlorates in concentrations of 0.7 and 1.2 mg/dm³: a gradual decrease in the absolute number of leukocytes, the absolute and relative number of lymphocytes, relative to the indicators of the control group can be observed. In groups of animals that received chlorates in concentrations of 0.7 and 1.2 mg/dm³, a decrease in the absolute number of erythrocytes was observed during the 90 days of the experiment. It was established that the severity of the effects depended on the dose of chlorates and the time of exposure. Thus, the nature and features of changes in hematological indicators in the body of experimental animals during a chronic sanitary-toxicological experiment under the influence of chlorates in drinking water may indicate that chlorates affect the indicators of the blood system, being the indirect signs of disorders of other functional systems in the body, namely – slowing of redox reactions, hypoxic manifestations, reduction and weakening of the immune response and reactivity, etc.

The biological role of chromium is the rationale, experience and prospects of its application to cattle

The biological effect of chromium on the body of farm animals is primarily due to the chemical form of the compound and the duration of use. Chromium is one of the most important ultramicroelements, but its essential role in the body was experimentally proven only in the second half of the 20th century. The kinetic inertness of the ions of three-valence chromium does not allow the element to be involved in many biochemical reactions, at the same time, this effect ensures the prolongation of specific cellular processes associated with the entry of glucose into the cell. Among the most commonly used feed additives are: ultrafine or nanoparticles of trivalent chromium oxide, picolinate, acetate or propionate of chromium, complex compounds of amino acids with chromium. The issues of regulating their use depend on the specific country and the requirements for the maximum permissible concentrations of chromium content in feed and agricultural products obtained, as well as on the regulatory legislative framework. Numerous experimental data on the effects of chromium deficiency indicate the development of glucose tolerance, a decrease in the rate of its cellular utilization and a slowdown in energy metabolism. The effects observed when additional sources of chromium are introduced into the diet of cattle are expressed in increasing the digestibility of dry matter, acting on the activity of digestive enzymes, stimulating the species diversity of the rumen microbiota, increasing milk yield, etc. The experimental data obtained and the results of the meta-analysis confirm a significant increase in the productivity of dairy cows with the introduction of chromium supplements into the diet, which is an important achievement in the practice of dairy farming. Most of the work described in this review was carried out abroad, which requires intensification in Russia of both experimental research and work on correlation and regression analysis of the relationship between chromium supplements and productivity indicators of dairy cows.

Indicators of the mineral metabolism of sows during the reproductive cycle

Over the past decade, domestic pig farming has undergone significant changes in breeding and genetic work related to the breeding of highly productive breeding stock. Their reproductive ability and metabolic state of health depend on an adequate supply of macro- and microelements. Dynamic changes in mineral homeostasis are used as one of the diagnostic criteria for a full-fledged metabolic status. These indicators are homeoresistive for the animal body, and their dynamics can serve as constant in the development of methods for the diagnosis, prevention and prediction of animal diseases of various etiologies. The purpose of this study was to study the dynamics of sow mineral homeostasis during the breeding cycle, depending on the further course of the postpartum period. Studies of blood parameters were performed in the conditions of an industrial complex on the main sows. Blood was taken from the jugular vein during the reproductive cycle: background (before insemination), on the 30th and 80th day of pregnancy, after childbirth. After farrowing, the sows, according to the results of a clinical examination, were divided into two groups of 10 animals each: the remaining clinically healthy and those with postpartum diseases (endometritis, postpartum dysgalactia). As a result of a comparative analysis, identical dynamics of mineral indicators were established throughout the reproductive cycle in animals that remained healthy and became ill with postpartum diseases. In the blood serum of sows with postpartum pathology, there is a lower level of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and an increased content of phosphorus. The greatest tension in mineral metabolism between diseased animals and the remaining healthy ones is observed after childbirth.