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The aim of the present study was to assess dietary and sex-related effects on selected blood indicators of 40-day-old mallard ducks undergoing fattening. The ducks were divided into three dietary groups (control, L50 and L100). The control (C) group was fed a diet containing soybean meal as the main protein component of the feed. In both experimental groups L50 and L100 soybean meal was replaced with meal of whole seeds of white lupine, Zulika variety, in proportions of 50 and 100%, respectively. With respect to the assessed dietary effect, the serum of the L50 group showed a significantly higher albumin concentration as compared to the C group (P < 0.05) accompanied by a significantly lower proportion of γ-globulins in the L50 group as compared to the L100 group (P < 0.01). As for the blood plasma, the C group showed a significantly higher concentration of total cholesterol as compared to the L100 group (P < 0.05) and a highly significant increase in the triacylglyceride (TAG) level as compared to the L50 and L100 groups (P < 0.01). Concerning plasma mineral indicators, ducks of the C group showed a significantly higher calcium concentration (P < 0.05) in comparison to the L100 group and a lower phosphorus concentration (P < 0.01) in comparison to the L50 as well as L100 group. Further, the C group showed a significantly lower level of potassium (K) as compared to the L50 group (P < 0.05) as well as the L100 group (P < 0.01). The sex of the ducks significantly (P < 0.05) affected the proportion of α-globulins in serum and the magnesium level in the plasma and affected the plasma levels of TAG and K and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of whole seeds of white lupine and different binder types in complete pelleted diets on selected haematological and plasma biochemical indicators of growing dwarf rabbits. The individual litters of Dwarf Lop rabbit kits were randomised after birth into control (n = 12) and experimental (E) groups. The young rabbits of the E group (n = 24) received an experimental pre-weaning diet containing a 25% share of white lupine seeds. At the time of weaning, the live weights of eight-week-old rabbits in the control group and E group were 727 g and 743 g, respectively. The weaned rabbits of the E group were further equally divided into two post-weaning experimental dietary groups (M = 12; G = 12); these diets contained a 20% share of white lupine seeds each and their composition only differed in the type of the binder (molasses or glycerol component). The rabbits of the control group received a commercial pet rabbit diet with no white lupine seeds during the entire experimental period. At the age of eight weeks, the diet showed a significant effect on the level of albumin (P < 0.05), A/G ratio (P < 0.05) and ALP activity (P < 0.01) in plasma of dwarf rabbit kits. Significant effects of diet were found in 15-week old rabbits in relation to the plasma level of albumin (P < 0.05), Ca (P < 0.05), A/G ratio (P < 0.05) and ALT activity (P < 0.01). The dietary inclusion of white lupine seeds resulted in beneficial health effects on certain blood indicators of rabbits, and their use in the proportion of 25% in the pre-weaning diet and 20% in the post-weaning diet can be recommended as a suitable feed additive for dwarf rabbits. The use of crude glycerol as binder in the experimental diet had no adverse effect on the blood indicators of the growing rabbits and thus it can be recommended for the manufacture of feed pellets intended for dwarf rabbits.

In this study, we determined the levels of individual fatty acids in the whole chicken body, as well as dry matter, nitrogenic substances and fat in Cobb 500 and Ross 308 chickens after 40 days of fattening. The highest level of all fatty acids (FA), regardless of the hybrid combination and sex of the chickens, was determined for oleic/elaidic acid, followed by palmitic, linoleic/linolelaidic, palmitoleic and stearic acids. In Cobb 500 cocks, higher values (P ≤ 0.05; P ≤ 0.01) were found for all saturated fatty acids (SaFA) compared to hens. With the exception of γ-linoleic acid, the levels of n-6 FA measured in cocks were higher (P ≤ 0.01) than in hens and n-3 FA showed higher levels of eicosatrienoic (P ≤ 0.05) and docosapentaenoic acids (P ≤ 0.01). Ross 308 hens had higher levels of most SaFA, with differences for palmitic (P ≤ 0.01), myristic, heptadecanoic and stearic acids (P ≤ 0.05). Regarding monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), hens contained higher levels of myristoleic (P ≤ 0.05) and oleic/elaidic acids (P ≤ 0.01). Cocks showed higher levels of n-6 FA except for linoleic/linolelaidic and γ-linolenic acids; higher levels were found for cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic, docosatetraenoic (P ≤ 0.05) and arachidonic acids (P ≤ 0.01). With the exception of α-linolenic acid, n-3 FA levels were higher in cocks, with differences in the levels of cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids (P ≤ 0.01). The results suggest possible directions for future research focused on the use of broiler chicken hybrids with more favourable proportions of n-6 FA and n-3 FA in fat and meat.

Over the course of Ross 308 hybrid broiler chick cock and hen rearing, whole chicken bodies including feathers were monitored for changes in the levels of nitrogenous substances, essential amino acids (EAA) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA). At five-day intervals (Days 1, 5, 9, 15, 20, 26, 30, 35 and 40 of rearing), randomly selected chickens were slaughtered after 24 h of fasting. Over the course of rearing, N-substance levels ranged from 629.1 to 429.0 g/kg dry matter in hen bodies and from 616.0 to 477.3 g/kg dry matter in cock bodies. N-substance levels were statistically significantly different in the two sexes on rearing Days 35 and 40 (P ≤ 0.01). The levels of all amino acids (AA) in dry body matter of chickens up to 15 days of age dropped significantly over time, while in the period from Day 20 to Day 40, some AA levels increased or reached the baseline. With most AA, the levels were lower in hens than in cocks over the course of the trial. At the end of the trial (Days 35 and 40), statistically significant differences between the sexes were found for most EAA (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05). NEAA, except for Ser and Ala, were also significantly higher in cocks on Days 35 and 40 (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05). Among the monitored EAA, the dry matter of the bodies of hens exhibited the highest levels of Leu, 8.70% on average, followed by Val 6.54%, Lys 5.26%, Ile 5.25%, Thr 4.84%, Phe 4.30%, Tyr 2.51% and Met 2.21%. Leu was also the most abundant in the cock bodies, 8.42% on average, followed by Val 6.30%, Lys 5.36%, Ile 5.06%, Thr 4.57%, Phe 4.45%, Tyr 2.88% and Met 2.17%. Knowledge of the levels of nitrogenous substances, EAA and NEAA in the whole bodies of broiler chickens including feathers will help to determine optimal rearing conditions.

Selected 120 layers, hybrid breed Bovans Goldline, were divided into two balanced groups: control (C) and experimental (E) group. The layers were raised in three-floor cage technology with automatic watering, manual feeding, in the environment with regulated lighting and thermal schedule. The actual experimental period started in the 22nd week and ended in the 68th week of age of the layers. In the period following the filling of the cages the layers received complete feed mixture N1, subsequently, until the end of the experiment, they received feed mixture N2. The feed mixtures for Group C and E were of the same composition, with the only difference that the feed mixture designed for the experimental group contained 1% of clinoptilolite (commercial additive ZeoFeed) as a substitute for the same portion of wheat.. The layers consumed the feed mixtures and drinking water ad libitum. In the layers of Group E the intensity of egg laying increased by 1.1%, which corresponds to an increased number of laid eggs 3.08 per layer. The average weight of laid eggs was 66.3 ± 6.25 g in the layers of Group C, 65.6 ± 5.44 g (P ≤ 0.05) in the experimental layers of Group E. In Group E the consumption of feed mixture per one egg was 4.1 g lower when compared to the control. In 100% dry matter the eggshell of layers that received clinoptilolite (Group E), as opposed to Group C, had a statistically significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) content of crude protein, calcium and magnesium. Almost the same and insignificant difference in values was found in ash and phosphorus. The values of the same indicators were statistically significantly higher in both monitored bones (femur and tibiotarsus) (P ≤ 0.05; P ≤ 0.01) during the application of clinoptilolite (Group E), with the exception of P in femur, where an insignificant rise in the level of P occurred. The rise in the concentration of Mg in Group E was of particular importance: in femur by 50.4%, in tibiotarsus by 32.4%. If we compare the monitored values in femur and tibiotarsus, we can see that the levels of ash, Ca and P are higher in tibiotarsus, and the levels of crude protein and Mg are lower. The long-term application of clinoptilolite favourably influenced the lodgement of Ca, P, Mg and crude protein in the eggshell as well as in the bones (femur, tibiotarsus), increased the egg production and reduced the consumption of feed mixture per one egg, while the good productive health of the layers was maintained.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of breed on haematological and biochemical indicators in 3 dwarf rabbit breeds. In the experiment, 30 sexually intact dwarf rabbit females aged 6 mo were used. With the sole exception of white blood cells and haematocrit value, breed had the most significant effect on the majority of haematological indicators monitored. The red blood cell count was higher in the Dwarf Lop compared to the Netherland Dwarf (+1.91×1012 cells/L; P

A rapid development in the potential use of phytogenic feed additives has occurred mainly due to the 2006 EU ban on the use of antimicrobial substances as growth stimulators; however, they are also used as sensory, technological additives or substances positively affecting the quality of animal products. The use of phytogenic additives in form of extracts, predominantly essential oils, has been tested in a number of animal species; however, there is still a lack of scientific findings on the safety and efficacy of their use, or on their effect on the quality of animal products. The aim of this review was to sum up current scientific knowledge on phytogenic additives in animal nutrition.

Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and the content of individual amino acids (AA) were determined in the bodies of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 hybrids including feathers after 40 days of fattening. Percentages for the content of individual AA were then calculated from the total sums of AA. The level of CP, irrespective of sex, was 453.16 ± 5.916 g/kg of DM for the Ross and 470.94 ± 5.404 g/kg of DM for the Cobb hybrid (P ≤ 0.05). For both hybrids, the content of CP was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher for cocks as opposed to hens. The AA levels in DM, irrespective of sex, were higher in the Cobb hybrid except for Glu; it was significantly higher for Asp, Ser, Ala, Lys (P ≤ 0.01), and Thr and Arg (P ≤ 0.05). The values for the majority of AA were higher for cocks than for hens in both hybrids. For the majority of essential AA, significant (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05) differences were recorded between sexes. For non-essential AA except for Ser and Ala, significantly (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05) higher values were found in cocks. Of the total sums of AA in DM of Ross broilers, the largest presence (here and after in %) was that of Glu (14.92), followed by Leu (8.80), Asp (8.73), Gly (8.71), Arg (7.21), Val (6.33), and Pro (6.09). The lowest contents were those of Met (2.41) and His (3.28). For the Cobb hybrid, the AA were Glu (13.90), Asp (9.12), Gly (8.48), Leu (8.43), Arg (7.48), Lys (6.44), and Pro (6.09). The AA lowest contents were those of Met (2.30) and His (3.16).

The effect of melamine and cyanuric acid contaminated diets on basic haematological and biochemical blood indicators in male broiler chickens (Ross 308) was studied. The chickens were divided into 6 experimental groups (30 birds per group) and fed diets with an addition of 50 or 100 mg of melamine or 50 or 100 mg of cyanuric acid per kg of feed, with the contaminants added separately (either melamine or cyanuric acid) or in combination (melamine + cyanuric acid). The control group (C) was fed a diet without melamine or cyanuric acid. At the end of the experiment (day 40), 8 birds per treatment group were randomly selected for haematological and biochemical examination of blood. Red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean cell volume, and total leukocyte count did not differ significantly among the respective groups of broiler chickens (P > 0.05). The concentrations of melamine and cyanuric acid used in the contaminated diet for broiler chickens led to highly significant changes in the content of total protein (TP), glucose (Glu), Ca, P, Na, and K (P < 0.01) and to significant changes in the content of Mg (P < 0.05) in their blood plasma. In comparison to the C group, the decrease in the content of TP, Glu, Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg in blood plasma was most pronounced in broilers fed the diets contaminated with cyanuric acid only or diets with the simultaneous contamination with melamine and cyanuric acid. On the basis of our results, it can be concluded that the contamination of feed with melamine and cyanuric acid, separately or in combination, results in impaired renal function and probably also in partial liver damage.

Selenium has been known for two centuries and its biological activities have been studied for nearly a hundred years, however the problem of Se deficit has still been persisting both in humans and animals. The cause of Se deficit in animals may be low Se level in soil. This mainly applies to cattle and sheep with their direct link to soil via roughage. The risk of Se deficit in pigs and poultry is lower due to lower dependence on soil Se level in the region and Se fortification in feed mixes. The present research focuses on the effects of Se on meat and egg quality, antioxidant activity of Se, effects on fatty acid levels, activity of glutathione-peroxidase, or the effect of Se on the immune system. Ensuring natural Se supply in human nutrition by food of animal origin, mainly poultry meat and eggs (the "functional foods"), is another area to which extensive attention has recently been paid.

This study was designed to verify the effect of diets containing lupin meal on the composition of fat in meat from fattened broiler chickens. It follows from the results that an increasing level of lupin meal (E1 and E2) resulted in a gradual decrease in the average level of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in fat in breast and thigh muscles from experimental chickens as compared to the control group. This decrease was characterized by a significant (P ≤ 0.05) to highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) reduction in the level of palmitic acid, which is the most common fatty acid. Diets containing lupin meal showed an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Particularly oleic acid contributed significantly to an overall increase in MUFAs (P ≤ 0.01). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from the n-6 group showed only a slight decrease in fat in meat from chickens in the experimental group. Linoleic acid as the most common PUFA found in the fat from chicken muscles showed a significantly lower level in breast muscles in the E2 group (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the control and the E1 group. A similar trend was also observed for γ-linolenic acid in fat from breast muscles. The level of arachidonic acid in fat from muscles in experimental groups also decreased. The levels of PUFAs n-3 in fat from chicken muscles were found to increase in experimental groups. Of all PUFAs n-3 examined in fat from breast and thigh muscles, α-linolenic acid was found at the highest levels. Its levels in fat from muscles varied with an increasing amount of lupin meal in a diet. However, a highly significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) was confirmed only in thigh muscles. A rise in PUFAs n-3 which is associated with the dietary supplementation of lupin meal is particularly beneficial as it affected the Σ PUFAs n-3:Σ PUFAs n-6 ratio, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of chicken meat with regard to human nutrition.

Selected parameters characterizing the chemical composition of bones were determined in 60 male and 60 female hybrid Ross 308 chickens aged 40 days at the end of the fattening period. The chickens received a complete feed mixture intended for pre-feeding (starter) in a period from the start of the experiment until Day 10, followed by the feed mixture intended for fattening until Day 30 (grower), and the feed mixture for the third phase of fattening, i.e. until Day 40 (finisher). The feed mixtures and drinking water were provided ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, chickens were slaughtered and the femur and the tibiotarsus from the right pelvic limb were collected and the following parameters were determined in wet tissue: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) (N × 6.25), fat, ash, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg); the content of organic matter was calculated. The resultant values were recalculated to 100% of DM. Differences between males and females in the chemical composition of retrieved bones were investigated. The content of CP in wet tissue from both bones ranged from 354.0 ± 11.8 to 365.1 ± 14.3 g/kg being significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the tibiotarsus. Differences between sexes were very small. The content of fat in the bones ranged from 16.12 ± 8.71 to 16.17 ± 8.85 g/kg, with higher levels of fat being detected in female chickens (17.16 ± 8.53 to 17.24 ± 8.28 g/kg) as compared to male chickens (15.01 ± 9.05 to 15.19 ± 9.12 g/kg). No statistically significant differences between the femur and the tibiotarsus were detected. The levels of ash ranged from 472.2 ± 13.1 to 480.1 ± 10.83 g/kg, being statistically higher in the tibiotarsus in both male and female chickens (P < 0.01; P < 0.001). The levels of Ca ranged from 180.4 ± 8.57 to 181.6 ± 12.32 g/kg, showing higher values in both bones from female chickens (181.7 ± 9.17 to 183.8 ± 14.71 g/kg), as compared to male chickens (179.2 ± 7.8 to 179.3 ± 8.91 g/kg). No statistically significant changes were found. The levels of P ranged from 83.17 ± 9.82 to 83.29 ± 7.42 g/kg, with higher levels being observed in female chickens (84.1 ± 9.21 to 89.8 ± 7.47 g/kg), as compared to male chickens (76.5 ± 6.93 to 82.5 ± 5.00 g/kg). The levels of P were significantly higher in the femur (P < 0.001) in female chickens and in the tibiotarsus (P < 0.001) in male chickens. The Ca:P ratios for both analysed bones was greater in males (femur 2.20, tibiotarsus 2.21), as compared to females (femur 1.98, tibiotarsus 2.09). The mean weight of male and female broiler chickens on Day 40 was 2 694 ± 32.6 g and 2 345 ± 23.9 g, respectively. In comparison with the expected performance parameters of ROSS 308 hybrid chickens, the weight increased in both male and female chickens by 8.2% and 10.6%, respectively. Although the chickens grew very quickly, no clinical signs indicating pathological changes in the bone system were found.

120 selected layers (Bovans Goldline hybrid) aged 19 weeks with an average weight of 1 735 g were divided into two balanced groups: control group (Group C) and experimental (Group E). Layers were reared in three-tier cages with automatic watering, manual feeding, and at controlled light and temperature regimens. One cage accommodated two layers, the floor surface area was 0.1125 m2 per layer. The experiment started after a 20-day adaptation period with layers aged 22 weeks (Week 22) and ended when layers were 68 weeks old (Week 68). In a period of initiation (i.e. Weeks 19-38), layers were fed the complete feeding mixture N1. Then they received the feeding mixture N2 until the end of the experiment. Feeding mixtures in both groups (C and E) had the same composition; the only difference between mixtures was that the feeding mixture in the experimental group was enriched with 1% clinoptilolite (i.e. the commercially available additive ZeoFeed). Layers received feeding mixtures and drinking water ad libitum. In the course of the experimental period, control layers laid 16 289 eggs while experimental layers laid 16 474 eggs. It follows from the results that the laying intensity in experimental layers was 1.7% higher as compared to control layers, i.e. the number of laid eggs in experimental layers increased by 5.6 eggs per layer. The mean weight of all laid eggs was 66.3 ± 6.25 g in the control group and 65.6 ± 5.44 g in the experimental group (P ≤ 0.01). Such performance was achieved at the consumption of feeding mixture being 141.7 g per laid egg in the control group and 137.6 g per laid egg in the experimental group. The consumption of feeding mixture in the experimental group was 4.1 g lower than that in the control group. The mean values of parameters monitored in blood plasma such as uric acid, cholesterol, glucose, lactose, calcium, phosphorus, ALP, and LDH in both groups of layers ranged within reference intervals, with no significant differences being detected between both groups.However, statistically significant differences between both groups were found in total plasma protein (P ≤ 0.01), triacylglycerol levels (P ≤ 0.05), and magnesium (P ≤ 0.01), which were elevated in the control group, and in AST (P ≤ 0.05) whose level in the control group was significantly lower than that in the experimental group. The results of haematological tests performed with layers' blood revealed statistically significant changes in parameters such as the erythrocyte count (P ≤ 0.01), haemoglobin level (P ≤ 0.01), and MCHC (P ≤ 0.05), which were elevated in the experimental group, and in the leukocyte count (P ≤ 0.05), which was lower in the experimental group, as compared with the control. However, the values found varied within physiological ranges.

The main aim of the study was to assess the effect of a diet supplemented with L-carnitine on egg weight and laying rate in hens of pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). The experiment lasted 14 weeks and was performed with 210 experimental and 210 control laying hens. The birds were kept in cages; one cock and seven hens per cage. Both control and experimental hens were administered the complete feed mixture, with the only difference that the feed mixture administered to experimental hens was supplemented with L-carnitine at a level of 0.01%. During the experimental period, eggs were collected and weight of individual eggs was determined. Control and experimental groups provided 8 039 and 8 499 eggs, respectively. The results showed that L-carnitine increased egg weight (P < 0.01) and laying rate. The effect of L-carnitine on egg weight and laying rate manifested itself until weeks 11 and 13, respectively. The average weight of eggs laid during the experimental period was (mean ± SD) 32.22 ± 3.03 g in the control group and 32.51 ± 2.83 g in the experimental group, with the overall laying rate being 44.29% in the control group and 47.30% in the experimental group.

At present the laying hen rearing is transformed into alternative housing systems which include a deep litter system. As for the poultry nutrition, the replacement of animal protein with vegetable protein in poultry feed is applied. Therefore, in an experiment we evaluated the quality of eggs from laying hens in the cage system as compared to the deep litter system with vegetable protein substituted for animal protein in their feed. 72 ISA Brown laying hens were placed into the experiment. 36 laying hens were kept in the deep litter system and 36 laying hens were kept in conventional cages for laying hens. For the period of 9 months, 36 eggs from the group in the deep litter system were examined, always at intervals of five weeks (i.e. 8 × 36 eggs) and so were 36 eggs from the group in the cage system (i.e. 8 × 36 eggs). We found out that in the deep litter system the mean egg weight was higher (P < 0.01), shell weight was lower (P < 0.01), egg albumen was higher (P < 0.01), yolk weight did not differ (P > 0.05), yolk cholesterol was higher (P < 0.01), yolk colour was darker (P < 0.05), shell strength did not differ (P > 0.05), all in comparison with the cage system of laying hen keeping. The results of the experiment show that where vegetable protein was substituted for animal protein in the nutrition of laying hens, there were differences in the quality of eggs from laying hens kept in the deep litter system and eggs from laying hens kept in the cage system.

The main objective of this research was to verify the effect of feed mixtures supplemented with clinoptilolite-containing ZeoFeed (at a level of 1% and 2%) on the performance traits of broiler chickens in the period of their growth. Experimental results confirmed a positive effect of clinoptilolite on the performance of chickens which was demonstrated by a highly significant increase in the average live weight (P ≤ 0.01) of broiler chickens at 40 days of age. The average live weight of broiler chickens was 2.24 kg (at a dose of 1%) and 2.28 kg (at a dose of 2%) with feed conversion of 1.84 kg (at a dose of 1%) and 1.95 kg (at a dose of 2%) while the average live weight of control broiler chickens was 2.12 kg with feed conversion of 1.83 kg. No differences between both groups were found in water consumption. Chickens in all monitored groups showed very good health and a very low rate of mortality (3.75% in control group, 1.25% at a dose of 1% and 3.75% at a dose of 2%). It follows from the experiments that the clinoptilolite-containing product may serve as a suitable feed supplement to feed mixtures for broiler chickens.

The present study deals with the use of high-grain diets with a low proportion of fodder for fattened cattle, and with the evaluation of their effect on the growth intensity and metabolic profile of the animals. Thirty Holstein × Czech Pied bulls were given diets containing from 86.69 to 88.54% concentrates based on crushed cereals in the period from 216th to 327th day of age. The growth intensity of bulls was high, with the average daily weight gain of 1.64 kg in the course of the whole experiment. When the average body weight of animals reached 343.67 kg and 450.93 kg, blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis of 10 randomly selected animals for the assessment of acid-base balance and selected biochemical parameters. Slightly decreased pH values and increased pCO2 were detected by the assessment of acid-base balance. The calculated values of base excess and standard bicarbonate were in the reference range; however in samples of the second collection a highly significant decrease was found (P ≤ 0.01). By a biochemical analysis of blood increased levels of plasma phosphorus were detected in samples of both collections in comparison with the accepted reference range. A statistically highly significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in plasma urea concentrations was detected in samples of the second collection. Other investigated parameters ranged within the accepted reference values. The results of the experiments show that high-grain diets produced intensive growth with high daily weight gains, without adverse effects on the health status of the investigated bulls. Although some depletion of compensatory mechanisms maintaining the acid-base balance was recorded, no serious disturbance of metabolic profile was registered in the animals.

Two growth trials and a short-term metabolism trial were conducted in broiler chickens in the period of 22 to 42 days of age in order to evaluate the effects of two dietary levels of L-lactic acid (1.03 or 2.06 g/kg) and microbial 6-phytase (750 U/kg), added either separately or in combination, on growth rate, feed conversion, dressing percentage and utilization of selected nutrients. In the first growth trial, six different dietary treatments were added to a basal grower diet containing 19.4% crude protein and a reduced level of dietary phosphorus (P) (5.9 g total and 2.9 g non-phytate P per kg). Single administration of L-lactic acid did not show any positive effect on the growth rate or feed conversion. In contrast, phytase addition to a low-P grower diet resulted in the increased final weight of birds and higher feed conversion. This beneficial effect was markedly stronger when the microbial phytase was added to the diets containing L-lactic acid. Based on two-factor analysis of variance, microbial phytase significantly increased the mean final weight by 6.5% (P < 0.01) and significantly improved feed conversion from 1.877 to 1.829 (P < 0.05). In the second growth trial, the same six dietary treatments were added to a basal diet containing a standard level of dietary P (6.7 g total and 4.0 g non-phytate P per kg), but the level of crude protein was reduced to 17.0%. L-lactic acid alone did not show any positive effects on performance. Phytase supplementation alone resulted in numerical improvement of the final weight (+1.1-2.4%), but a higher effect was observed in the diets containing L-lactic acid. In agreement with the reduced final weights of broilers fed the low-protein diets, markedly higher values of feed/gain ratio were noted. In the metabolism trial, selected dietary treatments were involved to evaluate the effects of L-lactic acid and microbial phytase, added either separately or in combination, on the digestibility of nitrogen (N) and fat as well as on the retention and excretion of N and P. Apparent digestibility of N and fat in the low-P diets was not affected by dietary treatments. Retention and utilization of N were numerically higher in all treatments fed low-P diets when compared to the treatment fed a standard diet, but the differences were not significant. Retention of P was numerically higher in all treatments fed low-P diets. When compared to the standard diet, the combination of phytase and L-lactic acid increased daily P retention by 37.6%. P excretion was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in all treatments fed low-P diets supplemented by both test products, either separately or in combination. A numerical decrease in N excretion was noted in both treatments fed low-protein diets.

The main objective of this study was to compare the metabolic profile (i.e. selected haematological and biochemical parameters in blood plasma) of production egg-type hybrid hens (E, MORAVIA BSL) with that of meat-type hybrid hens (M, COBB 500), and to evaluate dynamic changes occurring during the laying period from the 25th to 50th week of age. The study was prompted by both poultry farmers and veterinary practitioners since parameters defining the health of layers are absent. Selected parameters of the metabolic profile of layers were monitored regularly in 5-week intervals during egg laying. Samples of blood for haematological and biochemical examination were obtained by puncture of the vena basilica and stabilized by heparin. The study has revealed that monitored parameters of the metabolic profile significantly vary with factors such as production type, nutrition, and egg-laying intensity. Enhanced metabolism in egg-type hens was reflected in erythropoiesis which increased (in comparison with meat-type hens) highly significantly (P ≤ 0.01), particularly for erythrocyte count 2.36 T/l (2.14 T/l), haematocrit level 0.32 l/l (0.30 l/l), content of haemoglobin 94.48 g/l (84.18 g/l) and leukocyte count 17.06 G/l (13.22 G/l). Similarly, enhanced metabolism in egg-type hens also led to a highly significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in the levels of biochemical parameters in blood plasma, particularly the total level of protein was 57.62 g/l (50.98) g/l), glucose 14.03 mmol/l (13.36 mmol/l), cholesterol 5.34 mmol/l (3.73 mmol/l) and calcium 6.52 mmol/l (5.52 mmol/l). ) In the case of the plasma level of phosphorus, no significant difference was found between egg-type hens (1.58 mmol/l) and meat-type hens (1.59 mmol/l). The reported results are based on the total of 180 haematological and biochemical analyses performed during the laying period. The results are crucial not only for future development of avian haematology and biochemistry, but also in respect to veterinary practice.

We investigated 3 985 individually housed hens of five original laying lines of two breeds RIR and BPR. The proportion of abnormal eggs out of the eggs laid before the age of 240 days ranged between 7.0% and 9.7%, in dependence on the line. The average number of cracked eggs ranged between 2.5% and 4.4%, double-yolk eggs between 2.2% and 3.0% and shell-less eggs between 2.0% and 2.7%. The correlation between the number of eggs laid at the beginning of the laying period and during the period of observation, and the frequency of double-yolk eggs was positive (rP = 0.00 to rP = 0.21) and mostly statistically highly significant (P < 0.01). On the other hand, statistically highly significant negative correlations (P < 0.01) were found between the number of eggs laid during the period of observation and the frequency of cracked eggs, where the correlations in the individual lines ranged between rP = -0.04 and rP = -0.23. Positive correlations, mostly statistically highly significant (P < 0.01), were found between the number of eggs laid during the period of observation and the frequency of shell-less eggs (rP = 0.00 to rP = 0.15). With the increasing weight of eggs the frequency of abnormal eggs also increased, in particular of double-yolk eggs (rP = 0.08 to rp= 0.32), for the most part statistically highly significantly (P < 0.01). The correlations between the individual types of abnormal eggs were positive. Statistically highly significant correlations (P < 0.01) were discovered between the frequency of double-yolk eggs and cracked eggs (rP = -0.02 to rp= 0.22) on the one hand and, between double-yolk eggs and shell-less eggs (rP = 0.16 to rP = 0.24) on the other.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency and factors associated with disease flare following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people with inflammatory/autoimmune rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (I-RMDs)., Methods: Data from the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Coronavirus Vaccine physician-reported registry were used. Factors associated with flare in patients with I-RMDs were investigated using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic and clinical factors., Results: The study included 7336 patients with I-RMD, with 272 of 7336 (3.7%) experiencing flares and 121 of 7336 (1.6%) experiencing flares requiring starting a new medication or increasing the dosage of an existing medication. Factors independently associated with increased odds of flare were: female sex (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.05 to 1.87), active disease at the time of vaccination (low disease activity (LDA), OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.08 to 1.94; moderate/high disease activity (M/HDA), OR=1.37, 95% CI=0.97 to 1.95; vs remission), and cessation/reduction of antirheumatic medication before or after vaccination (OR=4.76, 95% CI=3.44 to 6.58); factors associated with decreased odds of flare were: higher age (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.83 to 0.98), non-Pfizer/AstraZeneca/Moderna vaccines (OR=0.10, 95% CI=0.01 to 0.74; vs Pfizer), and exposure to methotrexate (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.37 to 0.90), tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (OR=0.55, 95% CI=0.36 to 0.85) or rituximab (OR=0.27, 95% CI=0.11 to 0.66), versus no antirheumatic treatment. In a multivariable model using new medication or dosage increase due to flare as the dependent variable, only the following independent associations were observed: active disease (LDA, OR=1.47, 95% CI=0.94 to 2.29; M/HDA, OR=3.08, 95% CI=1.91 to 4.97; vs remission), cessation/reduction of antirheumatic medication before or after vaccination (OR=2.24, 95% CI=1.33 to 3.78), and exposure to methotrexate (OR=0.48, 95% CI=0.26 to 0.89) or rituximab (OR=0.10, 95% CI=0.01 to 0.77), versus no antirheumatic treatment., Conclusion: I-RMD flares following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were uncommon. Factors associated with flares were identified, namely higher disease activity and cessation/reduction of antirheumatic medications before or after vaccination., Competing Interests: Competing interests: BF does not report conflicts of interest. SL-T does not report conflicts of interest. KLH reports non-personal speaker's fees from AbbVie and grant income from BMS and Pfizer, all unrelated to this manuscript; and her institute was supported by EULAR for COVAX database management. LG reports research grants from Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer and Sandoz; and consulting fees from AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis and UCB, all unrelated to this manuscript. LC has not received fees or personal grants from any laboratory, but her institute works by contract for laboratories among other institutions, such as Galapagos, Pfizer, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi Aventis, BMS and Sandoz; she also reports safety board participation, not paid personally. AS reports personal fees from lectures for AbbVie, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer and Takeda. EFM does not report conflicts of interest. MS does not report conflicts of interest. AR does not report conflicts of interest. EH does not report conflicts of interest. JAG-P does not report conflicts of interest. MM reports having received payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from AstraZeneca, all unrelated to this manuscript. PD reports speaker's fees from AbbVie, Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen and Biogen, all unrelated to this manuscript. LT does not report conflicts of interest. TG does not report conflicts of interest. MC does not report conflicts of interest. ES reports receiving grants from AbbVie; payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from Novartis, AbbVie, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, UCB, Sobi, Roche, Sanofi, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Viatris, Sandoz, Mylan, MSD, Amgen and Janssen-Johnson & Johnson; support for attending meetings and/or travel from AbbVie and Janssen-Johnson & Johnson; participation in a data safety monitoring board or advisory board from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, UCB, Sobi, Boehringer-Ingelheim and Janssen-Johnson & Johnson; and is a committee member of Slovak Society of Rheumatology, all unrelated to this manuscript. IB reports receiving speaker's fees from AbbVie, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim and Janssen; and has received support for attending meetings and/or travel from AbbVie, all unrelated to this manuscript. ES does not report conflicts of interest. JZ reports consulting fees from AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis and Boehringer-Ingelheim; speaker's fees from AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim Latvia and UAB Viasana; receiving support for attending meetings and/or travel from AbbVie, UAB Viasana and Johnson & Johnson; and is a board member of Latvian Society of Adult Rheumatology; all unrelated to this manuscript. NR has nothing to disclose. OB has nothing to disclose. EV has nothing to disclose. BR has nothing to disclose. GRB has nothing to disclose. XM reports personal consultant fees from BMS, Galapagos, GSK, Novartis and Pfizer; and having received support for attending meetings and/or travel from Novartis, all unrelated to this manuscript. PMM has received consulting/speaker’s fees from AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Orphazyme, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, all unrelated to this manuscript., (© European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, EULAR 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC-ND. No commercial re-use. No derivatives. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ on behalf of EULAR.)

The evaluation of the quality of commercial diets is a topic of interest to dog owners and veterinarians. The aims of the study were to determine proximate analysis, metabolizable energy and some amino acids in dry dog diets for different ages, divided into three groups G1 (low price, grains included), G2 (medium price, grains included) and G3 (high price, grain-free). The hypothesis was tested that there are significant differences in the analysed values between dry dog diets from different price categories and between grain-free and grain-containing diets. Furthermore, the analysed values were compared with AAFCO and FEDIAF recommendations and with label values guaranteed by manufacturers to see whether there are any deviations. We analysed 60 samples of complete dry dog diets purchased in the Czech Republic, using the standard AOAC methods of proximate analysis. Metabolizable energy was calculated using the NRC equation, and 30 samples were analysed for selected amino acids. The results showed that there are significant differences in protein and amino acid contents between grain-free (G3) and grain-containing (G1,2) dog diets. G3 diets had significantly (p < 0.01) higher crude protein and essential amino acid contents. No significant differences were found between grain-containing diets G1 and G2. The results may indicate a higher proportion of animal components and a lower content of carbohydrates in G3 diets. Most of the tested dog diets met the AAFCO and FEDIAF recommendations. There were only a few deviations in threonine in G1 and G2 diets for growing dogs., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Objectives: To describe the safety of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in people with inflammatory/autoimmune rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (I-RMD)., Methods: Physician-reported registry of I-RMD and non-inflammatory RMD (NI-RMDs) patients vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. From 5 February 2021 to 27 July 2021, we collected data on demographics, vaccination, RMD diagnosis, disease activity, immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments, flares, adverse events (AEs) and SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections. Data were analysed descriptively., Results: The study included 5121 participants from 30 countries, 90% with I-RMDs (n=4604, 68% female, mean age 60.5 years) and 10% with NI-RMDs (n=517, 77% female, mean age 71.4). Inflammatory joint diseases (58%), connective tissue diseases (18%) and vasculitis (12%) were the most frequent diagnostic groups; 54% received conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), 42% biological DMARDs and 35% immunosuppressants. Most patients received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (70%), 17% AstraZeneca/Oxford and 8% Moderna. In fully vaccinated cases, breakthrough infections were reported in 0.7% of I-RMD patients and 1.1% of NI-RMD patients. I-RMD flares were reported in 4.4% of cases (0.6% severe), 1.5% resulting in medication changes. AEs were reported in 37% of cases (37% I-RMD, 40% NI-RMD), serious AEs in 0.5% (0.4% I-RMD, 1.9% NI-RMD)., Conclusion: The safety profiles of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with I-RMD was reassuring and comparable with patients with NI-RMDs. The majority of patients tolerated their vaccination well with rare reports of I-RMD flare and very rare reports of serious AEs. These findings should provide reassurance to rheumatologists and vaccine recipients and promote confidence in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine safety in I-RMD patients., Competing Interests: Competing interests: PMM has received consulting/speaker’s fees from Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Orphazyme, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, all unrelated to this manuscript, and is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH), Biomedical Research Centre. SL-T does not report conflicts of interest. AS has received personal fees from lectures for AbbVie, MSD, Lilly, Roche, BMS and Pfizer. EFM has received personal consultant fees from Boehringer Ingelheim Portugal, Lda; LPCDR received support for specific activities: grants from Abbvie, Novartis, Lilly Portugal, Amgen Biofarmacêutica, Grünenthal S.A., MSD, Medac and from A. Menarini Portugal - Farmacêutica, S.A.; grants and non-financial support from Pfizer, and non-financial support from Grünenthal GmbH, outside the submitted work. KLH has received non-personal speaker’s fees from Abbvie and grant income from BMS, UCB and Pfizer, all unrelated to this manuscript, and is supported by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre. LG has received personal consultant fees from AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis and UCB, and grants from Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer, Sandoz and Sanofi, all unrelated to this manuscript. LC has not received any fees or personal grants from any laboratory, but her institute works by contract for laboratories among other institutions, such as Abbvie Spain, Eisai, Gebro Pharma, Merck Sharp & Dohme España, S.A., Novartis Farmaceutica, Pfizer, Roche Farma, Sanofi Aventis, Astellas Pharma, Actelion Pharmaceuticals España, Grünenthal GmbH and UCB Pharma. AR has received research grants and consultant fees from Amgen and Pfizer, all unrelated to this manuscript. BR does not report conflicts of interest. CD does not report conflicts of interest. EH does not report conflicts of interest. EV reports personal consultant fees from Theramex, unrelated to this manuscript. ES does not report conflicts of interest. G-RRB reports personal consultant fees from AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, all unrelated to this manuscript. GKY does not report conflicts of interest. JAG-P reports speaker fees from Abbvie, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Roche, all unrelated to this manuscript. JZ reports speaker fees from Abbvie, Novartis, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, all unrelated to this manuscript. LK-F does not report conflicts of interest. LT does not report conflicts of interest. MCu does not report conflicts of interest. MM does not report conflicts of interest. MCo does not report conflicts of interest. MS does not report conflicts of interest. NR does not report conflicts of interest. OB does not report conflicts of interest. PD does not report conflicts of interest. RC reports speaker’s fees from Janssen, Roche, Sanofi, Abbvie, all unrelated to this work. TG does not report conflicts of interest. JWJB does not report conflicts of interest. IM does not report conflicts of interest. XM reports personal consultant fees from BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB and grant from Ose, all unrelated to this manuscript., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Bacterial spore germination is a developmental process during which all required metabolic pathways are restored to transfer cells from their dormant state into vegetative growth. Streptomyces are soil dwelling filamentous bacteria with complex life cycle, studied mostly for they ability to synthesize secondary metabolites including antibiotics., Results: Here, we present a systematic approach that analyzes gene expression data obtained from 13 time points taken over 5.5 h of Streptomyces germination. Genes whose expression was significantly enhanced/diminished during the time-course were identified, and classified to metabolic and regulatory pathways. The classification into metabolic pathways revealed timing of the activation of specific pathways during the course of germination. The analysis also identified remarkable changes in the expression of specific sigma factors over the course of germination. Based on our knowledge of the targets of these factors, we speculate on their possible roles during germination. Among the factors whose expression was enhanced during the initial part of germination, SigE is though to manage cell wall reconstruction, SigR controls protein re-aggregation, and others (SigH, SigB, SigI, SigJ) control osmotic and oxidative stress responses., Conclusions: From the results, we conclude that most of the metabolic pathway mRNAs required for the initial phases of germination were synthesized during the sporulation process and stably conserved in the spore. After rehydration in growth medium, the stored mRNAs are being degraded and resynthesized during first hour. From the analysis of sigma factors we conclude that conditions favoring germination evoke stress-like cell responses.

A total of 73 chicken and calves isolates were diagnosed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of flight mass spectrometry (Maldi-Tof MS). After a preliminary subtractive screening based on the high acid tolerance at pH 2.5 and bile resistance at 0.3% oxgall, twenty isolates belonging to the species Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus agilis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus murinus and Lactobacillus amylovorus were in vitro screened for the safety assessment and probiotic properties, including antibiotics susceptibility patterns, biochemical activity and potential for competitive exclusion of biofilm producing pathogens determined by crystal violet and/or quantitative Fluorescent in situ Hybridisation (FISH) assays utilizing 5'Cy 3 labelled probe Enter1432 for enteric group. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to the ISO norm 10932. The sixteen strains were susceptible to certain antimicrobial agents, except for two chicken (L. salivarius 12K, L. agilis 13K) and two calves (L. reuteri L10/1, L. murinus L9) isolates with the presence non wild-type ECOFFs (epidemiological cut-off) for gentamicin (≥256 μg ml(-1)), tetracycline (≥128 μg ml(-1)), kanamycin (≥256 μg ml(-1)) and streptomycin (≥96 μg ml(-1)). The two referenced chicken isolates gave positive aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)Ia and tet(L) PCR results. The wild-type ECOFFs isolates were subjected to the apiZYM analysis for enzyme profile evaluation and amino acid decarboxylase activities determined by qualitative plate method and multiplex PCR for the detection of four genes involved in the production of histamine (histidine decarboxylase, hdc), tyramine (tyrosine decarboxylase, tyrdc) and putrescine (via eithers ornithine decarboxylase, odc, or agmatine deiminase, agdi). From examined strains only two chicken isolates (L. reuteri 14K; L. salivarius 15K) had no harmful β-glucuronidase, β-glucosidase activities connected with detrimental effects in the gastrointestinal tract and together no amino acid decarboxylase activities and no genes associated with biogenic amines production though only chicken L. salivarius 15K whole cells and acid supernatants shown strong suppressive potential against biofilm-forming Klebsiella and Escherichia coli. Our results highlight that above-mentioned isolate L. salivarius 15K fulfils the principle requirements of a qualified probiotic and may be seen as a reliable candidate for further validation studies in chicken., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A computational model of gene expression was applied to a novel test set of microarray time series measurements to reveal regulatory interactions between transcriptional regulators represented by 45 sigma factors and the genes expressed during germination of a prokaryote Streptomyces coelicolor. Using microarrays, the first 5.5 h of the process was recorded in 13 time points, which provided a database of gene expression time series on genome-wide scale. The computational modeling of the kinetic relations between the sigma factors, individual genes and genes clustered according to the similarity of their expression kinetics identified kinetically plausible sigma factor-controlled networks. Using genome sequence annotations, functional groups of genes that were predominantly controlled by specific sigma factors were identified. Using external binding data complementing the modeling approach, specific genes involved in the control of the studied process were identified and their function suggested.

Streptomycetes have been studied mostly as producers of secondary metabolites, while the transition from dormant spores to an exponentially growing culture has largely been ignored. Here, we focus on a comparative analysis of fluorescently and radioactively labeled proteome and microarray acquired transcriptome expressed during the germination of Streptomyces coelicolor. The time-dynamics is considered, starting from dormant spores through 5.5 hours of growth with 13 time points. Time series of the gene expressions were analyzed using correlation, principal components analysis and an analysis of coding genes utilization. Principal component analysis was used to identify principal kinetic trends in gene expression and the corresponding genes driving S. coelicolor germination. In contrast with the correlation analysis, global trends in the gene/protein expression reflected by the first principal components showed that the prominent patterns in both the protein and the mRNA domains are surprisingly well correlated. Analysis of the number of expressed genes identified functional groups activated during different time intervals of the germination.

An example of bacterium, which undergoes a complex development, is the genus of Streptomyces whose importance lies in their wide capacity to produce secondary metabolites, including antibiotics. In this work, a proteomic approach was applied to the systems study of germination as a transition from dormancy to the metabolically active stage. The protein expression levels were examined throughout the germination time course, the kinetics of the accumulated and newly synthesized proteins were clustered, and proteins detected in each group were identified. Altogether, 104 2DE gel images at 13 time points, from dormant state until 5.5 h of growth, were analyzed. The mass spectrometry identified proteins were separated into functional groups and their potential roles during germination were further assessed. The results showed that the full competence of spores to effectively undergo active metabolism is derived from the sporulation step, which facilitates the rapid initiation of global protein expression during the first 10 min of cultivation. Within the first hour, the majority of proteins were synthesized. From this stage, the full capability of regulatory mechanisms to respond to environmental cues is presumed. The obtained results might also provide a data source for further investigations of the process of germination.