Number Of Ciliates Research Articles

КОМПЛЕКСНОЕ ЛЕЧЕНИЕ ПРИ АЦИДОЗЕ РУБЦА

A study on the effectiveness of a comprehensive treatment regimen for rumen acidosis in cows was conducted at the Ulanovo Residential Complex, Donskoy SAU. The proposed regimen included rumen lavage with a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution followed by administration of 500 g of magnesium oxide on the first day; 500 g of baking soda and 500 g of magnesium oxide dissolved in 10 l of warm water orally over the next two days; 1 l of rumen contents from a healthy cow; Oxylong 20 % retard intramuscularly at a dose of 1 ml per 10 kg of live weight once; Ringer-Locke solution - 800 ml intravenously for 3 days in a row; 5 % thiamine chloride solution intramuscularly 3 times a day at a dose of 5 mg/kg of live weight for 3 days in a row; feed additive «Bacell-MT» - 120 grams per head once a day with water individually for 5 days. The use of complex therapy aimed at reducing acidity, replenishing the deficiency of elements, microflora of the gastrointestinal tract helps to restore homeostasis of the body, which was manifested by the normalization of not only clinical and physiological indicators, but also an increase in the amount of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, the number of ciliates, a decrease in the acidity of the rumen contents, urine, feces. Normalization of the condition was accompanied by an increase in the number of rumen contractions to 3.7 ± 0.4 movements / 2 min., an increase in the pH of the rumen contents to 6.8 ± 0.4, urine to 7.0 ± 0.1, feces to 7.4 ± 0.1. The number of ciliates increased by 4.99 times, the families of Ophrуоsсоlecidae of the genus Entodinium (54.4 %), Diplodinium (32.6 %), Epidinium (7.2 %), Ophrуоsсоlex (5.8 %) were identified.

Cancer and One Health: tumor-bearing individuals can act as super spreaders of symbionts in communities

Recent theoretical advances in the One Health approach have suggested that cancer pathologies should be given greater consideration, as cancers often render their hosts more vulnerable to infectious agents, which could turn them into super spreaders within ecosystems. Although biologically plausible, this hypothesis has not yet been validated experimentally. Using a community of cnidarians of the Hydra genus (Hydra oligactis, Hydra viridissima, Hydra vulgaris) and a commensal ciliate species (Kerona pediculus) that colonizes them, we tested whether tumoral polyps of H. oligactis, compared to healthy ones, played an amplifying role in the number of ciliates, potentially resulting in a higher likelihood of infection for other community members through spillovers. Our results indicate that K. pediculus has a higher proliferation rate on tumoral polyps of H. oligactis than on healthy ones, which results in the infestation of other hydras. However, the magnitude of the spillover differed between recipient species. This study provides to our knowledge the first elements of proof of concept that tumoral individuals in communities could act as super spreaders of symbionts within and between species, and thus affect biotic interactions and dynamics in ecosystems.

Microplastics influence the functional responses of a tropical estuarine calanoid Pseudodiaptomus annandalei

Being chemically inert and morphologically similar (<5 mm in size) to the natural prey of copepods, microplastics (MPs) affect them through entanglement, ingestion, and interference with their natural prey selection. The effects of external factors, such as MP, can be observed in the form of alterations in the functional and numerical responses of copepods. Functional response is explained as the relationship between the intake rate of a consumer and the amount of food available in a particular ecotope. Considered three types of functional response: (i) with increasing food density, when intake rate increases linearly until asymptote, called Type-I functional response; (ii) when the proportion of prey ingested by the consumer decreases monotonically with prey density, considered as a Type-II functional response; and (iii) when ingestion rate and food density show a sigmoid relationship, is considered as Type-III functional response. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the effects of MP on the functional responses of brackish water, demersal, calanoid copepod, Pseudodiaptomus annandalei, feeding on the rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis, and the ciliate Frontonia microstoma. The ability of P. annandalei to survive environmental fluctuations and its nutritional value make it an ecologically important organism in estuarine ecosystems. The experiment for estimation of functional response included four setups with adult and copepodite stages of P. annandalei, each with six replicates at six different prey densities, in the presence and absence of MP particles. Without MPs, P. annandalei showed a typical Type-II functional response, where the proportion of prey consumed significantly declined with increasing prey density. In the MP-applied medium, the proportion of prey consumed did not exhibit a significant relationship with the initial prey density. The number of ciliates and rotifers ingested by copepodites and adults was significantly lower in MP-contaminated medium than in prey either monospecific or in combination with microalgae. Because of the comparable size of MP to the prey species and unspecialized feeding of P. annandalei in natural waters, we hypothesized reduced predation rates as a result of pseudo-satiation resulting from MP ingestion leading to malnutrition and MP storage in copepod biomass.

340 Ruminal Protozoa Viability Under Diverse Additives Using Trypan Blue Exclusion Method as an Alternative Counting Methodology

Abstract Beef cattle are a major contributor to methane (CH4) emissions. Enteric CH4 is produced by archaea, mostly hosted by ruminal protozoa, thus, changes in protozoa counts have been associated with CH4 production. Therefore, reliable ruminal protozoa count (PROT) is essential to evaluate CH4-mitigation strategies. Typically, PROT are done by fixation with methyl-green-formalin-saline solution (MFS), which reveals ciliate numbers but not ruminal protozoa viability (VIAB). The Trypan Blue Exclusion Method (TBEM) involves an intracellular probe that dyes the cytoplasm of apoptotic eukaryotic cells with membrane damage, but few studies report its use for PROT. Therefore, our objectives were to establish culture conditions to use the TBEM for PROT and VIAB under different diets (Exp. 1) and feed additives. In Exp. 1 ruminal fluid was collected from 4 Angus-crossbred ruminally cannulated steers receiving a high-grain diet (NOYE) alone or supplemented with 28 g /d of a product of yeast fermentation (YEAST). Filtered and diluted ruminal fluid was incubated (39ºC, 95% CO2) with (SUB) or without (NOSUB) the substrate diet in three types of containers; 125 mL bottles (BOT), Erlenmeyer (ERL), or 16 × 125 mm Hungate tubes (TUB). After 8, 12, 24, and 48 h PROT and VIAB were determined using the TBEM, gas production, and CH4 concentration were measured. Exp. 2 involved in vitro batch culture incubations with a silage-based substrate (CON), plus a 50:50% mix of condensed and hydrolysable tannins (TAN), cashew nutshell extract (CNSE), or citral (CIT) at 0.3, 0.02, and 0.2% of substrate DM, respectively. At 0 and 48 h PROT, VIAB, volatile fatty acids (VFA), CH4, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and gas were determined. In Exp-1, PROT and VIAB were greater in TUB (P = 0.01) at 24 h and in BOT at 48 h (P < 0.01), particularly with SUB (P < 0.01). Supplementation of YEAST reduced VIAB in BOT and TUB compared with ERL (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, TAN (P < 0.01) and CIT (p 0.05) reduced PROT and VIAB at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01). Additionally, TAN reduced gas production (P < 0.01), and IVOMD (P < 0.01) coinciding with previous studies reporting protozoa reduction. Protozoa/mL were similar to previous reports with MFS in cows (1.5 × 104) and steers (3.7 × 103). In both experiments, PROT and VIAB reductions by YEAST, TAN and CIT coincided with a reduction of CH4, gas, and IVOMD. Differences in PROT with some studies using MFS might be associated with losses of small Entodinium during initial filtrations. When cultured in BOT with substrate, TBEM is a viable, simple, rapid, and cost-effective methodology to evaluate PROT and VIAB after a nutritional challenge. The ability to assess membrane disruptions associated with protozoa apoptosis in the TBEM is one its greatest advantages.

Isolation, characterization and virulence of Metanophrys sp. (Ciliophora: Scuticociliatida) from large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) in China

In recent years, an outbreak of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) disease caused by unknown ciliate infections has occurred along the southeast coast of China, resulting in substantial economic losses. To investigate the taxonomic status and pathogenic characteristics of the ciliate, we isolated the ciliate from the brain tissue of naturally diseased L. crocea larvae, established in vitro monoclonal culture, carried out molecular and morphological studies, and observed the host histopathology. In the present study, we characterized three linked genes (ITS1–5.8S-ITS2, LSU rDNA, SSU rDNA) of the ciliate. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mt-COI rDNA) and mitochondrial small subunit ribosome DNA (mt-SSU rDNA) were also applied. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS1–5.8S-ITS2, LSU, SSU, mt-COI, and mt-SSU rDNA molecular markers showed that the ciliate had the closest genetic relationship with Metanophrys sinensis, and the sequence similarity was 89.95%, 98.22%, 98.74%, 94.63%, and 94.08%, respectively. It was also clustered in a branch with M. sinensis on the phylogenetic tree. Morphological observation showed that the ciliate was melon seed shaped, with a slightly sharp front end and a blunt rear end; a tail cilium, approximately 10 um long; and an oval macronucleus. There were 10–11 somatic kineties, and mitochondria were distributed beneath the cell surface membrane, forming a mitochondrial system that conforms to the morphological characteristics of Metanophrys. After artificially infecting the healthy L. crocea with the ciliate, a large number of ciliates with identical molecular markers and morphology were isolated from the infected L. crocea. The fins and skin of infected fish were partially ulcerated, and the tail or fin base was white, which is the same as the symptoms of the above-mentioned naturally diseased L. crocea. In addition, the results of histopathological observation showed that the ciliate could cause local necrosis and dissolution of L. crocea muscle fibers, infiltration of inflammatory cells in muscle spaces, increased swelling cells in gills and skin, and vacuolation of liver and spleen cells. Therefore, the ciliate that causes the above disease can be classified into the genus Metanophrys, which has been isolated and identified for the first time.

Endobiotic Ciliates from the Rumen of the European Bison Bison Bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Vologda Oblast of Russia

The fauna of endobiotic ciliates of the rumen of the European bison Bison bonasus from the Vologda oblast of Russia was investigated. In the studied bisons, 12 species of trichostomatids (Trichostomatia, Litostomatea) were found, ten of which were from the family Ophryoscolecidae and two species were from the family Isotrichidae. A high similarity of ciliate faunas in the rumen of different bison individuals in the studied population was noted. A comparative analysis of data on the species diversity and number of endobiotic ciliates in the rumen of various representatives of the genus Bison from different habitats was carried out.

К вопросу управления физиологическими процессами и формированием сбалансированного микробиома в рубце коров и овец путем введения в рацион кормовых факторов с определенными биологическими и функциональными свойствами

In physiological and production studies on intact and fistulated cows and sheep, the effect on enzymatic and microbiological processes in the rumen was studied when energy feed (EF) based on propylene glycol, glycerin and sugars was included in the standard diet of cows, separately and in combination with a complex of cellulolytic enzymes, consisting from cellulase, glucoaminolase, xylanase and β-gluconase (EF + CCE), and in the standard diet of sheep – micellate-Ca (M-Ca), microalgae Spirulina Platensis (Sp.Pl.), dihydroquercetin (DHQ) separately and in combination with organic iodine (DHQ+OJ). As a result of the use of these feed factors, there were changes in the indicators of digestion in the rumen of cows and sheep. In cows under the influence of EF in the rumen chyme, in relation to the control, cellulolytic activity increased by 75,4 %, and amylolytic activity decreased by 17,0 %, the content of VFA increased by 3,9 % and acetate by 2,2 %, and the content of propionate, butyrate and ammonia decreased by 5,6; 6,2 and 3,3 %, respectively. At the same time, there was an increase in the number of bacteria by 6,2 % and ciliates by 2,6 %, with a stable pH of 6,8. The inclusion of EF + CCE in the diet of cows did not affect the pH of the chyme, equal to 7,2; increased the content of VFAs by 3,6 % and reduced the content of ammonia by 3,8 % had almost no effect on the number of microorganisms, but changed its composition – the number of bacteria increased by 27,8 %, and the number of ciliates decreased by 23,5 %. In sheep, under the influence of M-Ca in the chyme, there was an increase in pH from 6,31 to 6,54, the content of VFAs by 6,6 %, amylolytic activity by 1,7 %, the number of microorganisms by 1,4 %, incl. ciliates by 0,4 %, bacteria by 2,2 % and the ammonia content decreased by 16,4 %. under the influence of Sp.Pl. there was an increase in pH from 6,31 to 6,91, amylolytic activity by 6,1 %, and a decrease in the content of VFAs by 18,2 %, ammonia by 3,4 %, the number of microorganisms by 5,4 %, incl. ciliates by 19,2 % and bacteria by 8,4 %; under the influence of DHQ, there was an increase in pH from 5,7 to 6,4, a decrease in the content of VFAs by 18,9 %, amylolytic activity by 7,3 %, ammonia by 24,1 %, an increase in the number of microorganisms by 2,2 % incl. h bacteria by 26,5 % with a decrease in the number of ciliates by 27,3 %; under the influence of DHQ + OJ, there was an increase in pH from 5,7 to 5,8, amylolytic activity by 1,1 %, ammonia content by 16.5 %, the number of microorganisms by 15,3 %, incl. ciliates by 56,1 % and bacteria by 8,7 %. All feed factors, with the exception of DHQ+OJ, shifted the redox potential of the chyme towards reduction, and under the action of DHQ+OJ, towards oxidation.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ОЦЕНКА СОСТОЯНИЯ ПОЧВЫ ПОСЛЕ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ КУЛЬТУР

The paper presents an assessment of the state of the soil after harvesting crops (cereals, legumes, technical, perennial grasses) on the experimental fields of the Agrobiotechnopark of Kazan State Agrarian University in industrial crops. The studies were carried out in 2022, which was characterized by significant differences in moisture conditions during the growing season of plants (the first half of the growing season is wet, the second half is dry). All plots were located on highly cultivated, gray forest, medium loamy soil. A comprehensive assessment of soils was carried out using the methods of agrophysical studies of soils and methods of soil biology. To assess the state of soil biology, the number of microorganisms, Protozoa and nematodes was taken into account. Simultaneously, the phytotoxicity of soils for model plants was determined. Analysis of the accumulation of available water in the soil and the share of agronomically valuable aggregates showed that the maximum values were after mustard. After this crop, there was a decrease in the density of soil composition. The deterioration of the agrophysical properties of the soil was noted after spring crops. A pronounced phytotoxic effect of soil extracts after spring barley, peas and potatoes was established in relation to lettuce test plants. A similar effect on the wheat test plant was noted after potatoes. Improvement in agrophysical properties, low phytotoxicity and suppression of the development of Fusarium fungi among the studied crops, the advantage was noted for Sarepta mustard. After peas, an increase in the number of Azotobacter bacteria in the soil was noted, and after winter wheat, an increase in the number of ciliates in the soil was noted. The results obtained confirmed the differences in the state of soils after various crops, which must be taken into account when selecting predecessors in crop rotation.

Clinical and pathomorphological changes in mycotoxicosis of cows

The defeat of feed by microscopic fungi is a fairly common phenomenon at this stage of the management of the agricultural sector. This is due to weather conditions (high rainfall) and errors in harvesting and storage of grain. Feeding affected feed leads to irreversible processes in the body of cows, reducing their productivity. The aim of the study was to establish marker indicators for the rapid diagnosis of mycotoxicoses in cows. So, when exposed simultaneously to T-2 toxin and toxins of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, destructive changes in the skin and mucous membranes were diagnosed, and pathology of the limbs was diagnosed, which was characterized by lameness. The laboratory revealed an increase in the level of leukocytes up to 37.1 g/l and a decrease in the content of hemoglobin in the blood of sick animals. Also, a characteristic feature was the latch of the contents of the rumen at pH 8.0, which in turn leads to a decrease in the number of ciliates. Also a sign of poisoning are changes in the fecal matter: liquid, musty odors and with an increased pH of up to 7.5. At the autopsy of the dead animals, a characteristic sign was: necrosis of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, protein degeneration in the liver and kidneys, and serous pulmonary edema. Infertility is 67.35 %, which leads to multiple unsuccessful insemination, which is due to destructive changes in the organs of the reproductive system. So, in sick animals, ovarian hypotrophy was diagnosed at the level of 54.09 %, ovarian cysts v in 8.18 %, yellow persistent bodies in the postpartum period – 7.54 %. The prospect of further research will be the development of preventive methods for treating cows and increasing their reproductive function of mycotoxicoses.

Optimizing the use of protein in the young cattle body

The organization of complete feed rations for cattle meeting the needs of animals in energy, protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins in terms of basic nutrients and biologically active substances represents the main condition to achieve the genetic potential of productivity. The purpose of the paper was to optimize the protein utilization in the body of young cattle by synchronizing the processes of fermentation of nitrogen-containing substances and carbohydrates in feed. Barothermal treatment of concentrated feed mixtures with high protein degradability and a high content of non-structural carbohydrates causes a more uniform fermentation of nutrients, intensification of microbial protein synthesis processes and an increase in the efficiency of energy use of carbohydrates and protein nitrogen by rumen microflora. This is evidenced by an increase in the number of ciliates by 4.4–8.1% and a decrease in the concentration of ammonia and volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid by 5.2–.2% and 3.4–4.3 %, respectively. A decrease in nitrogen losses is indicated by a decrease in the content of urea in animals’ blood by 2.0–9.0%. Extrusion of concentrated feeds with high protein degradability and high content of non-structural carbohydrates improves animal productivity and feed efficiency. The average daily gain in live weight increases by 4.8-6.0% in the experimental group. As a result, feed consumption is reduced by 2.7-6.9%, while protein consumption is reduced by 2.6-5.7%.

Performance Comparison of Five Methods for Tetrahymena Number Counting on the ImageJ Platform: Assessing the Built-in Tool and Machine-Learning-Based Extension.

Previous methods to measure protozoan numbers mostly rely on manual counting, which suffers from high variation and poor efficiency. Although advanced counting devices are available, the specialized and usually expensive machinery precludes their prevalent utilization in the regular laboratory routine. In this study, we established the ImageJ-based workflow to quantify ciliate numbers in a high-throughput manner. We conducted Tetrahymena number measurement using five different methods: particle analyzer method (PAM), find maxima method (FMM), trainable WEKA segmentation method (TWS), watershed segmentation method (WSM) and StarDist method (SDM), and compared their results with the data obtained from the manual counting. Among the five methods tested, all of them could yield decent results, but the deep-learning-based SDM displayed the best performance for Tetrahymena cell counting. The optimized methods reported in this paper provide scientists with a convenient tool to perform cell counting for Tetrahymena ecotoxicity assessment.

Characteristics of cows’ cicatricial metabolism of different linearity

Abstract. The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between indicators of cicatricial digestion and linearity of cows. Methods. The research was carried out in the breeding enterprises of the Sverdlovsk region on the livestock of Ural-type cows. Cicatricial fluid was collected with an oropharyngeal rubber probe, and a wooden yaw was also used. Cicatricial content was assessed at the Chelyabinsk Interregional Veterinary Laboratory. The pH value was determined by the electrometric method, VFA – in the Markgam apparatus, ammonia – by the microdiffusion method. Ciliates – in Goryaev’s chamber and under a microscope, bacteria – under a microscope with the addition of sodium chloride solution. Statistical data processing was carried out in the Microsoft Office Excel 2010 program. Results. In terms of the number of ciliates and bacteria in the rumen fluid, the Montwick Chieftain cows, characterized by high productive qualities, had an advantage. In terms of pH and VFA, the Vis Back Ideal line was the best. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the amount of ammonia in the rumen. The best animals from the point of view of influence on cicatricial metabolism were the animals of the Vis Back Ideal and Montwick Chieftain lineage. Scientific novelty. Studies have shown that linearity is associated with cicatricial digestion in cows. The relationship of bull lines with indicators of cicatricial metabolism of cows has been determined for the first time. The food in the rumen is digested due to the action of bacteria, ciliates, and fungi. An environment has been created in the rumen for the active development of microflora. Bacteria are able to synthesize amino acids and vitamins. The proventriculus can contain up to 50 species of ciliates.

Chronic toxicity of new pyridine-n-oxide derivatives for tetrahymena pyriformis w, determination of “structure-toxicity”, “concentration-time-effect” correlation

There is a considerable amount of work in the scientific literature on nonlinear (“paradoxical”) effects, but their toxicological significance for the body is still poorly understood. Plant growth regulators are biologically active substances at the level of low and ultra-low doses and concentrations, they are widely used in agriculture. To date, the mechanisms of their toxic and specific effects on the body, the presence of “paradoxical” effects at low doses have not been sufficiently studied. Thus, it is important to further indepth study of the “concentration-time-effect” relationship under chronic exposure to the body, which will be important for understanding the general biological processes, developing approaches to hygienic regulation and risk assessment for human health and non-target environmental objects. The Aim of the Research. Determine the dependence of “structure-toxicity”, “concentration-time-effect” of plant growth regulators – pyridine-N-oxide derivatives under conditions of chronic effects on the body of ciliates Tetrahymena pyriformis W. Materials and Methods. The object of research was complexes of methyl derivatives of pyridine-N-oxide with organic acids and metal salts. Studies were performed on ciliates of Tetrahymena pyriformis W in the stationary phase of growth. The chronic effect of plant growth regulators on ciliates was studied in a 96-hour experiment in the concentration range from 1×10 -2 M to 1×10-28 M. The initial number of ciliates in the sample was 20,000 cells/ml of culture medium. The samples were incubated in a dry air thermostat at 25°C. After 24, 48, 72, 96 hours, the number of ciliates in different growth phases was determined. The experiments were performed in four replicates. The results of the research were subjected to mathematical processing by methods of variation statistics using the standard software package Microsoft® Office Excel 2010. Results. It is shown that at a concentration of 1×10-2 M investigated complexes of methyl derivatives of N-oxidepyridine with metal salts are more toxic than with organic acids. In the range of concentrations from 1×10-4 M to 1×10-28 M dependence "concentration-timeeffect" was not detected. Regardless of the concentration and duration of action, both inhibition and induction of ciliate population growth were observed. The change in the direction of the effect was observed at the level of high, low and ultralow concentrations. Conclusions. 1. Under conditions of chronic exposure to the population of ciliates Tetrahymena pyriformis W, the rate of growth inhibition at a concentration of 1×10-2 M, studied complexes DG-377 (Di-2,6-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with ZnCl2), DG-380 (Di-2,6-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with ZnI2), DG-387 (Di-2,6-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with CoCl2), DG-480 (2-methylpyridineN-oxide with CoCl2), DG-471 (Di-2-methylpyridine-N-oxide with CoI2) are more toxic than similar complexes with organic acids – DG-361a (2,6-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with succinic acid), DG-361 (Di-2,6-dimethylpyridine-N- with succinic acid), DG-362 (2,6-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with maleic acid), DG-349a (2-methylpyridine-N-oxide with succinic acid). 2. In the range of concentrations from 1×10-4 M to 1×10 -28 M, regardless of the concentration and time of action, there is both inhibition and induction of growth of the ciliate population. The change in the direction of the effect was observed at the level of high, low and ultralow concentrations. The growth of the ciliate population, depending on the concentrations of the studied substances and the time of exposure, was polymodal in nature. 3. According to the direction and severity of the effect on the growth of the ciliate population for DG-361a, DG-361, DG-377, DG-387, DG-349a and DG-480 is characterized mainly by an inhibitory effect. The stimulating effect was observed in some phases of growth and was moderate or weak. For DG-362, DG-380 and DG-471 is characterized by a pronounced stimulation of population growth of ciliates. Key Words: methyl derivatives of pyridine-N-oxide, ciliates, “structure-toxicity”, “concentration-time-effect”.

Effect of synchronization of fermentation processes in body of young cattle

Indicators of rumen digestion of young cattle has been studied when fed with concentrates with high level of degradable protein and non-structural carbohydrates subjected to barothermal treatment. Extrusion of concentrated feed decreases degradability of concentrates protein by 26-28%. Correlation of indicators of rumen digestion in steers with the method of preparation for feeding with concentrates with high level of degradable protein and non-structural carbohydrates has been determined. So, in animals receiving feed subjected to barothermal treatment, the number of ciliates in rumen fluid increases by 5.4%, total nitrogen – by 2.9%, and concentration of ammonia and volatile fatty acids decreases by 8.1 and 3.4% Thus, processing of concentrates stimulates development of microflora of proventriculus and reduces the rumen protein loss. Barothermal treatment of concentrates with a high protein degradability and high level of non-structural carbohydrates increases productivity of animals and efficiency of feed. The average daily weight gain in animals of experimental group increases by 4.8-6.0%. As a result, the feed cost is reduced by 2.7-6.9%, and protein – by 2.6-5.7%.

Increasing the efficiency of beef production by means of correcting cicatricial digestion with a mineral complex and plant extract

The study presents the results of evaluating the effect of oak bark extract (OBE) and FeCo alloy mineral complex (MC) on digestion processes in the rumen of cattle, in particular, digestibility, hydrogen index and microbiome. The use of FeCo alloy mineral complex with OBE leads to an increase in digestibility of dry matter of the feed by 12.0 % as compared to the control. Changes in the hydrogen ions concentration were in the range of 7.0–8.10 pH. It was revealed during the experiment that both individual and joint introduction of OBE and FeCo mineral complex affects quantitative content of ciliates and bacteria. 6 hours after feeding, the number of ciliates increased with introduction of OBE by 20.4 % relative to the control and protozoa mass with the addition of FeCo mineral complex increased by 111 % (p≤0.01). The data obtained when introducing combination of OBE and FeCo alloy mineral complex indicate an increase in ruminal digestion through the synergistic effect of the mineral complex and FeCo alloy. The studied substances can be used in the industrial production of animal feed.

Microalgae colonization on some artificial polymers in experimental conditions

The present work demonstrates the results of experimental studies of the character of microphyte fouling on the surface of plastic materials. The work is based on two laboratory experiments I and II and the field one (experiment III). Experiments I and II were established in laboratory conditions in crystallizers for 4 and 7 weeks. As a model for the experiment I, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plates of two types were used: the plates taken from the marine environment from coastal decomposition (rough, EP) and untreated PET plastic (smooth, KP); for experiment II – low pressure polyethylene (LDPE) plates and untreated PET plastic. Glass plates were used as controls. The field experiment took place for 7 days in the coastal zone of the Gulf of Odessa. PET plates of different transparency and surface were used as a model. As a result of experiment I, the plates of rough plastic (EP) and glass (K) had the best fouling, the lowest parameters of the fouling on the plates with a smooth surface (KP). Significant differences in quantitative indicators of microalgae on the plates were detected only during the first exposure. As a result of changes in the properties of the plastic surface after being in the marine environment, it becomes more suitable for the formation of fouling in the laboratory (experiment I), forming a biomass of from 0.2·10‑2 mg·cm-2 to 4.0·10‑2 mg·cm-2. Laboratory experiment II showed a gradual increase in the quantitative indicators of phytoperiphyton on PET plates (from 0.01·10‑2 mg·cm-2 to 0.18·10‑2 mg·cm-2), and a decrease on LDPE plates (from 0.03·10‑2 mg·cm-2 to 0.001·10-2 mg·cm-2). These data are confirmed by the correlation coefficient: +0.9 (for PET) and -0.9 (for LDPE) for biomass. The development of microalgae was regulated by ciliates, which began to develop actively on 2–3 weeks of the experiment and used microphytes as food. The maximum number of ciliates was observed on LDPE plates. Weekly exposure of PET in field experiment III demonstrated that the primary settlements of microphytes are quite diverse and reached 28 species. The obtained data make a significant contribution to understanding the processes of interaction of plastic materials with microalgae and will be the basis for future research.

Crustacean zooplankton communities, mixotrophic cililates, and optical properties in North Patagonian lakes, investigated by remote sensing

Abstract North Patagonian lakes are characterized by their oligotrophic or oligo-mesotrophic status. These conditions bring with them, respectively, the presence of abundant mixotrophic ciliates and a low species number of crustacean zooplankton under oligotrophic status, and low numbers of mixotrophic ciliates and a high species number of zooplankton under oligo-mesotrophic status. The aims of the present study are, (1) to use remote sensing techniques for determining abundances of mixotrophic ciliates and crustacean zooplankton, and (2) to characterize these mixotrophic and zooplankton communities by using null models. The sensing was accomplished from a satellite, i.e., by measuring the reflectance of the sunlight on a waterbody, which result will vary according to the contents of the water column. The results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that sites with low reflectance of all bands have a high abundance of Stentor accompanied by low zooplankton absolute abundance, whereas a markedly opposite situation was observed under high reflectance, where Stentor has low abundance in conjunction with high zooplankton absolute abundances. The null models revealed that the communities in the studied sites do not have structured species associations, and that there is an overlap of niches. These results obtained agree with similar observations for Argentinean Patagonian lakes.

Dynamics of phytoplankton species composition, biomass and nutrients in the North Atlantic during spring and summer - A trans-Atlantic study

During a return trip in May–June 2013 from Bergen, Norway, to Nuuk, Greenland, on the Institute of Marine Research's R/V “G. O. Sars”, four ocean basins, the Norwegian, Iceland, Irminger and Labrador seas, were surveyed twice. Here we analyse the phytoplankton communities and their dynamics in the four basins, winter nutrient content, potential for new production, consumption of nutrients, phenology and algae biomass (Chlorophyll a). The primary production dynamics of the four basins are compared and related to physical forcing and top-down control and discussed in relation to vertical carbon flux. We focus on the primary production dynamics in the central, mostly Atlantic, water masses of the basin-wide gyres. The survey results are put into a larger scale context by comparison with MODIS surface chlorophyll estimates.The timing of the phytoplankton bloom phase differed among the basins. In the Labrador Sea, there was a strong bloom already occurring during the first crossing in mid-May. This was confirmed by nitrate and silicate reduction, which was much larger in the Labrador Sea compared to the other seas in May. In the Irminger Sea the bloom lagged behind, whereas in the Norwegian and Iceland seas both a pre-bloom and a late bloom were observed during May–June.There was a direct relationship between the mixed layer depth and the use of nitrate at the sampling stations, and a direct relationship between chlorophyll concentrations and the use of nitrate. The two relationships suggest that the use of nitrate can serve as a measure of the developmental state of the phytoplankton bloom, phenology, and that it is related to the shallowing of the mixed layer.Flagellates were the most abundant algae in all regions, outnumbered by diatoms only at a couple of stations west of Greenland. Elevated ciliate numbers were observed in the Iceland and Norwegian seas on both sides of the Arctic front. The algae outnumbered the microzooplankton by at least an order of magnitude.

Rotifers weaken the efficiency of the cyanobacterium defence against ciliate grazers.

ABSTRACTCyanobacteria can protect themselves through limited dispersion and by increasing the compactness of the mucilage-covered cyanobacterial mat as well as by producing sheaths covering their trichomes. These features have been used in research to measure their degree of inducible defence. The influence of the presence of the rotifers Lecane inermis on the effectiveness of Phormidium sp. (Ph2) cyanobacterium defence was investigated. Experiments were conducted on the ciliates Pseudomicrothorax dubius and Furgasonia blochmanni, specialised in the ingestion of filamentous cyanobacteria. The most compact were cyanobacterial mats that were subjected exclusively to ciliates and the most dispersed were mats in the presence of rotifers alone. The presence of rotifers feeding on cyanobacterial mucilage led to the decreased effectiveness of the defence in two ways, by increasing the dispersion of cyanobacterial trichomes, thus loosening the cyanobacterial mat, and through the ingestion of the exopolysaccharide material covering the trichomes. As a result, in the presence of rotifers and the high density of ciliates, almost all the trichomes were removed. Moreover, in comparison with other treatments, a higher number of ciliates and rotifers remained active until the end of the experiments. This is the first report to show how rotifers can weaken the defence of cyanobacteria.

Ice-on and ice-off dynamics of ciliates and metazooplankton in the \u0141ucza\u0144ski Canal (Poland)

The ciliate–metazooplankton trophic coupling is well documented from both laboratory and field experiments. The knowledge about these relationships during winter ice-covered periods is very scarce. The abundance and composition of planktonic ciliates, rotifers and crustaceans were studied during the ice-covered and ice-free periods in the Łuczański Canal (Masurian Lakeland, Poland). We hypothesised that in winter, rotifers play a major role in the top-down control of ciliates and that ciliate–metazooplankton relationships differ not only between the ice-covered and ice-free periods, but also between ice-covered months. Our study showed that ciliates formed a significant part of zooplankton biomass during the winter ice-covered period when crustaceans occurred in very low abundances. Despite cold water temperature and the presence of ice cover, time was probably a cue that initiates zooplankton development. The ciliate, rotifer and crustacean numbers and biomass, as well as chlorophyll a concentrations, were lower in February than in ice-free periods. In the winter month with ice cover, bottom-up control by resources was more important than top-down control by zooplankton grazing in regulating ciliates. In the spring month with ice cover, crustaceans and rotifers may include ciliates as an important part of their diets. In April, the studied groups of organisms were not related to each other in contrast to the summer, when zooplankton communities were closely related to each other. In autumn, rotifers may play an important role in controlling ciliates. The abundance, composition and ciliate–metazoan relationships can vary considerably not only across seasons, but also across ice-covered months.