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The article discusses the study that determined the impact of level of dietary maize distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) inclusion and sex of bird on chicken broiler slaughter yield, carcass tissue composition and breast meat quality, including physical traits and chemical composition. Findings discussed include decrease in live body weight and eviscerated carcass weight, and lowest feed consumption (FC) in 42 day-old chicken broilers with 10 and 15 percent DDGS inclusion.

Total chlorobenzene content of the Halowax mixtures ranged from 1100 to 9800 ng/g. A lower chlorinated Halowax 1031 and 1000 were a several times more contaminated with chlorobenzenes than higher chlorinated Halowax 1001, 1099, 1013, 1014, or 1051. Depending on the type of the Halowax mixture the most contributing amongst of chlorobenzene homologue groups were di-, tetra-, penta-, and hexa-CBz. A dominance and specific profile of 1,4-DiCBz, PeCBz, and HCBz were characteristic to Halowax 1001, 1099, 1013, 1014, and 1051, while for other formulation the CBzs profile varied, and 1,2,3,4-TeCBz (Halowax 1031) and 1,4-DiCBz (Halowax 1000) predominated. A steric hindrance effect seems to direct a preferential by-side formation of 1,4-DiCBz and further also of PeCBz and HCBz due to relatively elevated temperature as well as duration time of synthesis for five most chlorinated (49–70 Cl%) chloronaphthalene Halowax formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semen of Greylag (Anser anser L.) ganders was frozen according to a method previously elaborated by the authors for freezing the White Koluda gander semen.Semen was collected from five to eight Greylag ganders, twice a week during three succeeding reproductive cycles, by dorso-abdominal massage. Semen samples were diluted in the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts semen: one part diluent) with EK diluent, supplemented by 6% DMF, equilibrated and pre-frozen to −140 °C at a rate 60 °C/min, before being transferred into liquid nitrogen container. Semen samples thawed in a water bath of 60 °C were used for twice a week insemination in a volume of 200 μl. Three Greylag and three White Koluda geese were involved in frozen-thawed semen fertilizing ability test.The reproductive cycle of wild geese lasts usually about 6–7 weeks. The ejaculate volume (30–140 μl) and sperm concentration (10×106 to 150×106 ml−1) are much lower than these of domestic ganders, but spermatozoa morphology is similar, particularly while compared to 1-year-old White Koluda ganders semen. There are about 90% of live spermatozoa and about 30% of live morphologically normal cells in Greylag gander fresh semen.The Greylag gander spermatozoa susceptibility to cryopreservation procedure is as high as in domestic gander’. Dilution ratio 2:1 resulted in higher number of live spermatozoa, which withstood cryoinjury stress. In relation to fresh semen about 60% of spermatozoa remained intact (on the basis of light microscope examination) in the frozen-thawed semen. Insemination of frozen-thawed semen resulted in 37.5% of fertile eggs in Greylag and 25.0% in White Koluda geese. Low fertility rate was caused by an insufficient number of live normal spermatozoa used for insemination (about three million in every dose). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Normal tables provide an objective step-wise description of the morphological development of an embryo. Such tables have been described for the chicken, turkey, quail, and duck embryos, but there is no such staging table for goose embryos. As the goose has one of the longest incubation periods of all the poultry species and embryo mortality during incubation is relatively high, a normal table of goose embryo development would be useful in assessing the morpho-genetic status of the goose embryo before and during incubation. In this study, embryos were isolated from commercial White Koluda goose eggs stored no longer than four days in a cool room (18°C) prior to incubation and after 4, 8, 12, and 16 h of incubation. Embryo staging was based on the normal tables described for the chicken by Eyal-Giladi and Kochav (EGK) and Hamburger and Hamilton (HH). Goose embryos from unincubated eggs were at Stage X and XI EGK and after 16 h of incubation the majority of embryos were between Stages 2 and 4 HH. Our results suggest that while the stage of development of the embryo in the unincubated goose egg is similar to that reported for the chicken, although the diameter of goose embryo is slighter larger. Following incubation, a goose embryo advances more slowly than a chicken embryo up to 16 h of incubation., (© 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Dioxins have adverse and multifaceted effect on body functions. They are known to be carcinogens, immunotoxins, and teratogenic agents. In vivo, transformation of dioxins occurs after their interaction with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and leads to formation of proinflammatory and toxic metabolites. The aim of this study was to verify whether α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), could reduce the damage caused by the action of dioxins. Fertile chicken eggs were injected with a solution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), followed by the injection of α-tocopherol or acetylsalicylic acid. Organs such as heart and liver were dissected from the chick embryos at d 13 and 19 of development and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of presence of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) in tissues. The AGEs were used as the marker for exposure to dioxins, since it is well established that their level increases in dioxin-damaged tissues. Formation of AGEs was evaluated in embryos exposed to dioxin and treated with vitamin E and/or ASA (against dioxin-exposed, untreated controls). We have found that TCDD causes developmental disorders and increases the level of AGEs in chick embryo tissues. The use of such pharmacological agents as vitamin E, ASA, and combination of ASA and vitamin E, inhibited formation of the AGEs in 13-day-old embryos and reduced the AGEs level in embryos after 19 d of the development., (© 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Compared to other domestic bird species, geese exhibit the lowest reproductive efficiency (poor semen quality, low egg production, and poor fertility and hatchability rates). From an economic perspective, it is a necessity of improve these reproductive traits. Studies have demonstrated that the essential trace element-selenium-plays key roles in testicular development and the maintenance of spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of feed supplementation with organic selenium and vitamin E on ganders' response to manual semen collection and semen quality. Sixteen 3-year-old White Koluda ganders were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was provided commercial feed while the experimental group was provided with the same commercial feed supplemented with selenium (0.3 mg/kg) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg). The response of individual ganders from both groups to manual semen collection and the quality of the semen collected were evaluated. The supplements increased (P ≤ 0.05) the frequency and decreased the time interval of a complete ejaculatory response of the ganders to manual semen collections (82.7 % supplement vs. 73.5 % control). Males from the supplemented group had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05) ejaculate volumes, sperm concentrations, and percentages of viable sperm and lower percentages of immature sperm (spermatids). Lipids peroxidation, expressed in terms of the malondialdehyde concentration, was lower (P ≤ 0.01) in semen of the supplemented group (0.172 nmol/50 × 10(6)) as compared to the controls (0.320 nmol/50 × 10(6)). Moreover, the duration of the reproductive period of the ganders in the experimental group was 1 week longer. The results show that supplemental dietary selenium and vitamin E improved both the ganders' response to manual semen collection and semen quality. We conclude that such feed supplementation could lead to greater economic benefits through increased reproductive efficiency within the goose production industry.

The present study compared the antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation in semen of two avian species: chicken and goose. The experiment was conducted on Greenleg Partridge roosters and White Koluda(®) ganders, each represented by 10 mature males. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in sperm cells and seminal plasma. In gander spermatozoa, the amount of MDA was 10 times greater (P<0.01) than in rooster spermatozoa. Each of the investigated antioxidant enzymes had greater (P<0.01) activity in goose than chicken sperm. Catalase activity was detected in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from both studied species for the first time. In seminal plasma, the activity of GPx was two times greater (P<0.01) in the White Koluda(®) than in chickens, whereas SOD activity was less (P<0.01) than in chickens. This is the first study describing the presence of CAT in avian semen and the occurrence of indicator of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in geese. Data from the present study clearly show the species-specific differences in the activity of antioxidant defense and LPO. The greater amount of lipid peroxidation and greater activity of antioxidant enzymes in goose semen might suggest that spermatozoa were under greater oxidative stress and the enzymes were not utilized for the protection of functionally and structurally impaired cells. In turn, in fresh chicken semen a lesser activity of antioxidant enzymes accompanied with a lesser lipid peroxidation amount and good semen quality could indicate that fowl spermatozoa were under oxidative stress, but the enzymes were employed to protect and maintain sperm quality., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

1. Over three breeding seasons on a farm in Poland, semen was collected from 11 ostriches using the dummy and the teaser method to study the effects of the method of collection, male age, month in the breeding season, and daily collection frequency on ejaculate characteristics. 2. A total of 259 ejaculates were collected, with an average volume of 1·28 ± 0·6 (±SEM) ml. Sperm concentration was 3·34 ± 0·08 × 10(9)/ml, the total number of spermatozoa 4·32 ± 0·22 × 10(9), and motility 4·56 ± 0·04. 3. There was no difference in ejaculates collected by the dummy and teaser methods, but the between-individual variation was considerable. Ejaculate characteristics increased with male age and varied between months, with little evidence for seasonal decline. Daily collections for 10 days did not affect sperm output. 4. The results open up avenues for further research on development of a viable protocol for artificial insemination in ostriches and efficient semen storage. 5. The between-male variation suggests that the ejaculate output could be maximized through selection.

1. The effects of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) dietary inclusion concentration, and sex, on body weight, slaughter efficiency and meat characteristics of Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica, strain P55) were studied. 2. Sexed ducklings (n = 160) were divided randomly into 4 groups (each with 4 replicates). From d 1 to d 21, all the birds received the same commercial feed, then from 22 to 49 d of age the ducks were fed in the following groups: control (commercial feed) and three experimental groups (15%, 25% and 30% inclusion of DDGS). All ducks were weighed individually at d 1, 21 and 49. On the day of slaughter, 5 males and 5 females, of body weight close to the average weight for group and sex, were selected from each group, slaughtered and the following parameters were evaluated: slaughter yield, weight, and percentage of particular elements of carcase, physical and chemical characteristics of meat. 3. The results obtained showed that DDGS included from 22 to 49 d of rearing, at concentrations up to 30%, in a commercial Pekin duck diet did not affect the live body weight, slaughter yield, weight, and percentage of breast and leg muscle, skin with subcutaneous fat, and abdominal fat. There were no differences in physical characteristics (pH(15), pH(24,) meat colour values L*, a*and b*, and hygroscopicity) of breast muscle, as well as in cholesterol content. DDGS addition at 30% significantly increased fat content in male, and crude protein in female, breast meat. Sex effect was observed only in a few traits and was diet dependent. Final body weight of females fed 30% DDGS was significantly lower than males; in the control and 15% DDGS group females had higher percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat. 4. The results obtained, and relative costs of feeds produced, allows the recommendation of DDGS addition at up to 30% to commercial Pekin duck diets from 22 d of age.

The aim of this study was to perform flow cytometric analysis of C11-BODIPY581/591 oxidation in fowl and geese sperm as a marker for membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and to establish if the cryopreservation process would make sperm membranes more susceptible to oxidative stress. The experiment was carried out on 10 meat type line Flex roosters and 10 White Koluda® geese. The semen was collected two times a week, by dorso-abdominal massage method and pooled from 10 individuals of each species. Fowl semen samples were subjected to cryopreservation using the "pellet" method and Dimethylacetamide (DMA) as a cryoprotectant. Geese semen samples were cryopreserved in plastic straws in a programmable freezing unit with Dimethyloformamide (DMF) as the cryoprotectant. A fluorescent lipid probe C11-BODIPY581/591 provided with two double bonds that are oxidized during their contact with ROS, was used for the purpose of the assessment of the LPO in freshly diluted semen samples and frozen-thawed semen samples. This probe changes its color according to its state (non peroxidized: red; peroxidized: green). Flow cytometric analysis was used to monitor these changes. The White Koluda® geese fresh semen had a higher level of LPO than the Flex fresh semen (P > 0.01). The cryopreservation of fowl semen significantly (P > 0.01) increased the percentage of live and dead spermatozoa with lipid peroxidation. In frozen-thawed semen of White Koluda® geese the percentage of live spermatozoa with LPO significantly decreased (P > 0.05) whereas significantly (P > 0.01) higher level of dead cells with LPO was observed. There were significant differences between the two studied species. After thawing, the percentage of live and dead spermatozoa with lipid peroxidation was higher in fowl semen than in geese semen (P > 0.01). In conclusion, our data clearly indicate the existence of species specific differences in susceptibility of spermatozoa to the oxidation of PUFAs in the cell membranes, where such oxidation is caused by cryopreservation. This study shows that avian spermatozoa are vulnerable to radicals and frozenthawed sperm have higher level of LPO than fresh sperm. According to our observation, fowl semen is more susceptible to LPO than geese semen., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the yield and tissue composition of carcases from White Kołuda ganders (males) and geese (females), and to determine the relationships between body measurements and carcase tissue composition. 2. The experiment was carried out on 200 geese (100 males and 100 females) reared to 14 weeks of age and then fed with oats for the next 3 weeks. Live body weight and body dimensions, slaughter yield, weight and percentage of muscles and skin with fat in carcase were measured and correlation coefficients were calculated between body measurements and slaughter values and carcase tissue composition. 3. White Kołuda geese reared to 17 weeks of age were characterised by high body weight (6705 g) and good muscle yield (29.9%). Males had greater body weight, musculature and fatness than females. Sternum length and breast circumference, width and depth were good indicators of carcase muscle weight in 17-week-old geese. 4. Negative coefficients of correlation between sternum length and weight of skin with subcutaneous fat indicate that increased selection pressure in pedigree flocks of geese on sternum length should be paralleled by reduced carcase fatness in these birds.

A combination of non-polar and shape selective columns in a comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GCxGC) system consisting of DB-5MS and LC-50 as the 1st and 2nd dimension columns was used to separate 22 tetrachloronaphthalene isomers. These columns enabled separation of all possible isomers of tetraCN found in the technical chloronaphthalene Halowax formulations into 18 peaks covering 15 single separated isomers and 7 co-eluting in triplicate (1,2,4,6-/1,2,4,7-/1,2,5,7-tetraCN; nos. 33/34/37) and in pairs (1,2,3,7-/1,2,4,5-tetraCN; nos. 30/32 as well as 1,3,5,8-/1,3,6,8-tetraCN; nos. 43/45). Twelve isomers of tetraCN resolved as single compounds by the GC x GC system used were found in Halowax 1001, 1013, 1014 and 1099 as well as in Equi-Halowax mixture. Three other tetraCNs that could be also resolved as single compounds were not detected in these materials, while the remaining 7 tetraCNs, which co-eluted, waits a further separation. The majority of constituents of the tetraCN homologue group of the Halowax formulations are isomers such as 1,4,5,8- (no. 46), 1,2,5,8- (no. 38), 1,2,4,8-tetraCN (no. 35), co-eluting 1,3,5,8-tetraCN (no. 43 in a pair nos. 43/45) and also co-eluting 1,2,4,6-/1,2,4,7-/1,2,5,7-tetraCN (nos. 33/34/37). The less abundant by amongst of tetraCNs in these mixtures are 1,4,6,7- (no. 47) and 1,3,5,7-tetraCN (no. 42). The remaining seven isomers, i.e., 1,2,3,4- (no. 27), 1,2,3,5- (no. 28), 1,2,3,6- (no. 29), 1,2,5,6- (no. 36), 1,2,6,7- (no. 39), 1,2,6,8- (no. 40) and 1,2,7,8-tetraCN (no. 41) are usually minor by quantity, while 1,2,3,7-/1,2,4,5-tetraCN (nos. 30/32) are also minor, or one of them is absent. Three tetraCNs not found in the Halowax formulations are isomers such as 1,2,3,8-tetraCN (no. 31), 1,3,6,7-tetraCN (no. 44) and 2,3,6,7-tetraCN (no. 48).

Halowax 1051 is the highest chlorinated technical chloronaphthalene mixture among seven known formulations of the Halowax series. Octa- and heptaCN homologue groups are the main CN constituents of Halowax 1051 with declared 90% and 10% contents, respectively. In this study, using an isotope dilution technique and HRGC/HRMS, octaCN and heptaCNs contents of six batches of Halowax 1051 were between 82-93% and 6.2-17%, respectively. Also mono- to hexaCNs were found in Halowax 1051, and their content more or less varied according to the batch; also, the abundance of a particular CN congeners varied. Tetra-, penta- and hexaCNs have been found in all six batches of Halowax 1051 examined, and their contents varied between 0.0024-0.77%, 0.031-0.22%, and 0.21-0.82%, respectively. TriCNs have been found in three of six batches, and mono- and diCNs in two of six batches with 0.0020-0.40, 0.0017-0.25 and 0.0012-0.34% for positive findings, respectively. 2,3-DiCN (no. 10), 1,8-diCN (no. 9) at < 0.0002 mg/g, 1,6,7-/2,3,6-triCNs (nos. 25/26), 1,3,8-triCN (no. 22) at < 0.0002 mg/g, 1,3,6,7-tetra (no. 44), 1,2,3,6-tetra- (no. 29), 1,2,7,8-tetraCN (no. 41) and 1,2,3,6,7,9-hexaCN (no. 70) at < 0.0005 mg/g have not been found in Halowax 1051.

The aim was to estimate the optimal frequency of semen collection from pigeons in relation to ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total spermatozoa in ejaculate and percentage of live morphologically normal cells. The study was carried out on 455 ejaculates collected from two groups of pigeons, each of 10 males (group I: meat-type breed; group II: fancy pigeon). The birds were selected and kept individually in cages under a natural photoperiod. A two-person technique was used for semen collection (lumbo-sacral and cloacal region massage). Semen was collected once, twice or three times per week. Colour, consistency and volume of ejaculates were evaluated macroscopically immediately after collection. Sperm concentration and total number of cells in the ejaculate were estimated after dilution with Ringer's solution. A live-dead stain technique (nigrosin-eosin) was used to determine the percentage of live and normal spermatozoa. Semen collected 3x/week was of high quality. The average volume of a single ejaculate was small (21 microl in group I and 19 microl in group II), but sperm concentration was high--1.58 x 10(9)/ml and 1.96 x 10(9)/ml, respectively. The mean number of spermatozoa per ejaculate was 30.48 x 10(6) in group I and 39.49 x 10(6) in group II. An increased percentage of live and normal spermatozoa in semen collected more frequently was also observed. Collecting pigeon semen 3x/week provides spermatozoa in larger amounts and of better quality than less frequent collections (1x/week or 2x/week) and is recommended for obtaining more insemination doses.

Aim: To comparatively evaluate the fresh semen quality of 1, 2 and 3-yr-old White Italian ganders (Anser anser L.) and the susceptibility of spermatozoa to freezing-thawing procedure., Methods: Semen was collected by dorso-abdominal massage every 2 days~3 days from three groups of ganders: 1-yr-old (n=11), 2-yr-old (n=7) and 3-yr-old (n=9). In the pooled fresh semen samples, the following parameters were evaluated: the ejaculate volume, the blood or feca contamination and the motility, concentration and morphology of spermatozoa. Sperm motility and morphology were evaluated in the frozen-thawed semen. Semen diluted with EK extender was frozen in straws in a computerized freezing unit with 6 % dimethyl-formamide to -140 deg at a rate 60 deg/min and then transferred into the LN2 container. Straws with semen were thawed in a water bath at 60 deg., Results: The ejaculate volume decreased with the age (0.21 mL for 1-yr-old, 0.18 mL for 2-yr-old and 0.14 mL for 3-yr-old ganders); the sperm concentration increased with the age (327 x 10(6) mL(-1) for 1-yr-old, 431 x 10(6) mL(-1) for 2-yr-old and 547x10(6) mL(-1) for 3-yr-old ganders); the number of live - normal sperm was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the 1-yr-old than that in the 2- and 3-yr-old ganders (26.61 %, 41.54 and 35.9 %, respectively). The percentage of normal cells survived the freezing-thawing process was 37.7 %, 43.3 % and 40.9 % for 1-, 2- and 3-yr-old ganders, respectively., Conclusion: Freezing and thawing processes more significantly (P<0.01) affected the motility, viability and morphology of spermatozoa in semen of 1-yr-old ganders in comparison with older males.

Efficiency of freezing method, worked out for the White Italian gander semen was evaluated by comparing motility, morphology and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa in fresh and frozen-thawed semen. A part of pooled semen, collected from 25 White Italian ganders by dorso-abdominal massage was used immediately for artificial insemination of 10 geese (the control group) with a dose of 80 microl. This insemination was performed six times at weekly intervals. The remainder of the semen was diluted 1:0.5 (v/v) with EK diluent, equilibrated for 15 min at +4 degrees C, mixed with 6% (v/v) of dimethylformamide (DMF) and frozen to -140 degrees C at a rate of 60 degrees C/min. Frozen semen was thawed in a 60 degrees C water-bath and inseminated twice weekly in a dose of 100 microl (10 females of the experimental group, 12 inseminations were made). The freezing process affected spermatozoa motility and morphology, but had no effect on their fertilizing ability. Positive movement was observed in 50-60% of the spermatozoa in fresh semen and about 40% of the frozen-thawed cells. The average percentage of total live and live normal spermatozoa decreased due to freezing from 92.2 to 68.4% and from 34.7 to 14.1%, respectively. After the fresh semen insemination with average 12 million of the live normal spermatozoa per week average fertility was 88.24%; hatchability of set eggs was 80.88% and hatchability of fertile eggs was 91.67%. For frozen-thawed semen inseminated with average 9.5 million of the undamaged spermatozoa per week, the average fertility and hatchability rate was 83.78, 73.87, and 88.17%, respectively. Fecundity rates obtained after insemination with the frozen-thawed gander semen allow for the application of the freezing technique into breeding practice, in place of natural mating or to assist natural mating in periods of lowered fertility level.

Feces, urates or dirt originating from feathers often contaminate gander semen during collection, threatening its fertilizing ability. Seminal plasma used as a diluent has a similar effect, particularly on spermatozoa subjected to cryopreservation or short-term storage under refrigeration. The aim of the experiments was to evaluate the effects on spermatozoa motility, morphology and fertilizing ability after minimizing the influence of the contaminants by semen filtration or dilution prior to freezing. Pooled semen, collected twice a week from 9 White Italian ganders by dorso-abdominal massage, was divided into two parts. One sample was filtered and both were diluted in 1:1 or 1:0.5 (v/v) with EK diluent, equilibrated for 15 min at +4 degrees C, mixed with dimethyl-acetamide (DMA) in the final concentration 6% (v/v) and frozen to -140 degrees C in a computerized freezer, at a rate of 60 degrees C/min. In fresh and processed (filtered, freeze-thawed) semen were examined the spermatozoa motility and morphology, and fertilizing ability for freeze-thawed semen, both for unfiltered and filtered. In freeze-thawed semen no tangible differences due to experimental factors were observed in motility and percent of live spermatozoa in total. On average 35 to 42% of the spermatozoa survived the freezing process, but only 10 to 15% were normal, without any damage visible under the light microscope. The fertility of unfiltered freeze-thawed semen inseminated twice a week in a 0.2 mL dose (about 3 to 5 x 10(6) of live normal spermatozoa each) averaged 66.1% and hatchability of the set eggs 57.1 and 86.5% of the fertile eggs. The fertility obtained after the insemination with semen filtered prior to freezing was lower (64.3%), but hatchability was slightly higher (58.6 and 91.1% of set and fertile eggs, respectively). The duration of fertility for filtered semen was longer than that for unfiltered, 10 days after the last insemination the eggs were still fertile. The fertility results of freeze-thawed gander semen were very promising taking into consideration the small amount of inseminated live normal spermatozoa and it is possible to improve this result by increasing the number of spermatozoa in the insemination dose.

The most effective method of treatment of severe cases of fetal haemolytic disease are intrauterine intravascular transfusions. In some hydroptic cases however, the administration of only packed red blood cells produces unsuccessful results. We found that albumin supplementation paralleled with PRBC injection significantly increases the effectiveness of intravascular treatment.

Efficacy of the intraperitoneal and intravenous blood transfusions guided ultrasonographically was evaluated in severe cases of fetal hemolytic disease due to Rh conflict. It was shown, that survival rate of fetuses without generalized edema is two-fold higher in the group treated with intraperitoneal blood transfusions in comparison with the control group. It was found, that the proportion of erythrocytes containing HbA in umbilical blood of newborn is related to the number of intraperitoneal transfusions. One has to underline the failure of such a treatment in features with generalized edema. In such case intravenous blood transfusion is a method of choice.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of GHRH and CRH in maternal plasma during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and to search for the possible correlations with related hormones such as ACTH, beta-endorphin, cortisol, GH and human placental lactogen. Patients consisted of 31 healthy pregnant women (20-39 years) divided according to duration of pregnancy into 2 groups: I. from 26 to 32 pregnancy week N = 13), II. from 33 to 39 week (N = 18), and of 7 women evaluated 3 days after delivery. All listed hormones except ACTH were measured by RIA (GHRH, CRH and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity after extraction with silic acid) and ACTH by IRMA. In the late 3rd trimester plasma levels of CRH (P less than 0.001), ACTH (P less than 0.02), beta-endorphin (P less than 0.05), cortisol (P less than 0.025), as well as GHRH (P less than 0.002) and human placental lactogen (hPL) (P less than 0.001) were increased in comparison to early 3rd trimester, whereas 3 days after delivery CRH and GHRH became undetectable and those of ACTH and cortisol decreased significantly. The CRH plasma concentrations were found to be strongly correlated with gestational age (r = 0.86, P less than 0.001) but not with ACTH and cortisol. GHRH levels correlated mainly with human placental lactogen concentrations (r = 0.64, P less than 0.001)., Conclusion: In maternal plasma at the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, apart from the known markedly elevated CRH, the GHRH level was also raised. Strong correlations between CRH and gestational age and those between GHRH and human placental lactogen suggest that there is a relationship between these neurohormones and the placental function.