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The aim of the present investigation is to compare the effect of standard method and electrical stunning on some hemolymph biochemical parameters in mid-sized Red Swamp Crayfish. The results showed that electrical stunning time of induction was significantly shorter and recovery was longer than chilling stun. Parameters of an electrical field that stuns crayfish beyond the point of recovery without causing damage have been identified. Based on this experiment, it seems that electrical stunning would be preferable to the other method.

The prolonged starvation has many effects on the physiological and morphological processes in fish and interferes them with the ability to absorb nutrients and caloric intake. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of long-term starvation and posterior dietary administration of commercial synbiotic consisting fructoligosaccharide (FOS) which used in combination with Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Lactococcus spp. for evaluation on some blood biochemical parameters and histological characteristics of common carp liver. Experimental fish after 5 months starvation period were subjected to the following feeding protocols: continuous starvation until 60 day (ST), re-feeding (FS) with dry composed diet (Aqua 1032 Swim) and refeeding with composed diet and synbiotic (FSS) for the following 60 days. Blood samples were used for analysis of the following plasma parameters: total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, AST, ALT, glucose and serum for thyroid hormones. Histology analyses were performed on the carp liver samples. During the experimental period, fasting and refeeding were influenced significant on studied biochemical parameters, except glucose and urea. Also, the statistically largest (P

A protective effect of two herbs, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Tinospora cordifolia, given as feed additives was observed against the growth inhibitory effect of ochratoxin A (OTA) and associated immunosuppression and biochemical or pathomorphological changes. The feed levels of 3 mg/kg OTA and fine powder of one of both herbs were given during a period of 32 days to female broiler chicks divided into 3 experimental and 1 control groups (14 chicks per group). The observed pathological and biochemical changes, the changes in relative organs’ weight and body weight, and the decrease of antibody titer against Newcastle disease were more pronounced in the OTA-treated chicks without herbal supplementation, and less pronounced in the chicks treated additionally with G. glabra or T. cordifolia as was shown by the better feed performance and the higher body weight in the chicks treated with the herbs. The higher relative weight of lymphoid organs of the chicks supplemented with both herbs revealed their beneficial effects on the immune system. The hepatoprotective effect of both herbs was evident, being stronger in the chicks additionally supplemented with G. glabra shown by the pathomorphological findings and by the lower levels of aspartate transaminase (131.1 U/l) compared to chicks given only OTA (156.0 U/l). A protective effect of T. cordifolia on the bone marrow and kidneys was found as was shown by the lower levels of uric acid (382.9 μmol/l) compared to chicks given only OTA (466.9 μmol/l).

The thyroid hormones (THs) play an important role in the regulation of the rate of metabolism, affect the growth and function of different systems in the organism. The aim of this study was to assess serum concentration of total triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4) as well as T3/T4 ratio in serum from healthy fresh water fish from Salmonidae, Acipenseridae, Cyprinidae, and Clariidae families to determine species-specific reference intervals. Mean concentrations of T3 and T4 levels varied significantly among fish. Finally, the test results show clear differences in the serum concentration of the T3 and T4 and give new insight into the thyroid hormones reference values in some commercial fresh water fish species.

The protective effects of herbal feed additives Silybum marianum, Withania somnifera and Centella asiatica against the toxic effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) were studied in 70 broiler chicks aged from 11 to 42 days. OTA was given with the feed at levels 5 mg/kg, whereas S. marianum, W. somnifera and C. asiatica were given at levels of 1,100, 4,000 and 4,600 mg/kg, respectively. All chicks were immunised at the age of 14 days against Newcastle disease. A protective effect of all studied herbal additives against the immunosuppressive effect of OTA and associated biochemical or pathomorphological changes was seen. The intensity of macroscopical and histopathological changes, the deviations in relative organs’ weight or body weight, the biochemical changes and the decrease of antibody titer were strongest in the OTA-exposed chicks without herbal supplementation; followed by chicks treated additionally with C. asiatica, whereas the same changes were significantly slighter or not seen in chicks additionally treated with the herbal additives W. somnifera or S. marianum. The slight increase in the serum levels of uric acid and the enzyme activity of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase also supported the protective effects of both herbs on the kidneys and/or liver. The strong immunosuppressive effect of OTA on humoral immune response against Newcastle disease was completely prevented in the chicks taking the herbal additives W. somnifera or S. marianum, which was supported by the higher relative weight of immunocompetent (lymphoid) organs in the same chicks. A hepatoprotective effect was found in OTA-exposed chicks treated additionally with W. somnifera and S. marianum, whereas a nephroprotective effect was only found in the chicks additionally treated with S. marianum as observed from the biochemical and pathomorphological findings. The same herbs could be used as a practical approach for safely utilising of OTA-contaminated feed.

The acute phase response (APR) is a nonspecific reaction of fish to disturbances in homeostasis. The aim of present study was to investigate quantitative changes that occur in the concentration of acute phase proteins (APPs) in the blood of commercial size common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L. ) exposed to organophosphate insecticides within the month of April during ameliorative activities. Parameters examined were fibrinogen (Fib), ceruloplasmin (Cp) as a positive APPs and albumin (Alb) as a negative APP. Histological sections of the hepatopancreas and kidneys from 25 fish have been examined. The hepatopancreas was chosen for this investigation as it is the primary site of acute phase protein synthesis. APP parameters plasma fibrinogen ( P

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen. Genetically related viruses in animals suggest a zoonotic origin of HCV. The closest relative of HCV is found in horses (termed equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). However, low EqHV genetic diversity implies relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, making a derivation of HCV from EqHV unlikely. To unravel the EqHV evolutionary history within equid sister species, we analyzed 829 donkeys and 53 mules sampled in nine European, Asian, African, and American countries by molecular and serologic tools for EqHV infection. Antibodies were found in 278 animals (31.5%), and viral RNA was found in 3 animals (0.3%), all of which were simultaneously seropositive. A low RNA prevalence in spite of high seroprevalence suggests a predominance of acute infection, a possible difference from the mostly chronic hepacivirus infection pattern seen in horses and humans. Limitation of transmission due to short courses of infection may explain the existence of entirely seronegative groups of animals. Donkey and horse EqHV strains were paraphyletic and 97.5 to 98.2% identical in their translated polyprotein sequences, making virus/host cospeciation unlikely. Evolutionary reconstructions supported host switches of EqHV between horses and donkeys without the involvement of adaptive evolution. Global admixture of donkey and horse hepaciviruses was compatible with anthropogenic alterations of EqHV ecology. In summary, our findings do not support EqHV as the origin of the significantly more diversified HCV. Identification of a host system with predominantly acute hepacivirus infection may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV. IMPORTANCE The evolutionary origins of the human hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unclear. The closest animal-associated relative of HCV occurs in horses (equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). The low EqHV genetic diversity implies a relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, limiting the time span for potential horse-to-human infections in the past. Horses are genetically related to donkeys, and EqHV may have cospeciated with these host species. Here, we investigated a large panel of donkeys from various countries using serologic and molecular tools. We found EqHV to be globally widespread in donkeys and identify potential differences in EqHV infection patterns, with donkeys potentially showing enhanced EqHV clearance compared to horses. We provide strong evidence against EqHV cospeciation and for its capability to switch hosts among equines. Differential hepacivirus infection patterns in horses and donkeys may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV.