Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
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The Impact of Climatic and Anthropogenic Factors on Modern Equine Management: Challenges and Adaptation Strategies
Get PDFModern equine management is facing substantial challenges driven by climate change and anthropogenic pressures, which collectively affect the welfare, physiological resilience, and productivity of horses. A particularly critical threat is heat stress, which disrupts homeostasis, reduces performance capacity, and increases health risks. This review synthesises scientific evidence on the physiological, behavioural, and neuroendocrine responses of horses to elevated thermal loads, taking into account age, breed, and functional differences. Key adaptive mechanisms that support viability under heat conditions are examined, including thermoregulatory responses, hormonal changes, behavioural strategies, and the potential to enhance these mechanisms through feeding, cooling, and veterinary support. Special attention is paid to innovative welfare monitoring approaches, such as infrared thermography, heart rate analysis, video surveillance, non-invasive biomarkers, and digital technologies, which offer new opportunities for real-time assessment of animal status. A distinctive feature of this review is its interdisciplinary perspective on adaptation, integrating veterinary, ethical, environmental, and social aspects of horse use. Promising directions for further research are identified, including the selection of heat-tolerant breeds, the development of individualised adaptation programmes, and the implementation of the One Health approach in equine industry management
It uses non-traditional ingredients in complete feed for fattening piglets
Get PDFThe experimental research aimed to study the effect of feeding compound feed to fattening piglets with different proportions of flour from apple pomace on the quality of their slaughter products. The research was conducted on piglets of a large white breed of French breeding. During the fattening period, the piglets of the research groups were fed compound feed with different proportions of apple flour (5 %, 10 and 15 % by weight). It was established that compared to the control group, in the pigs' meat from the experimental groups, total moisture content decreased by 0.4–0.6 % and fat by 0.1–0.5 %. Regarding protein content, the piglets from the experimental groups prevailed by 0.5–1.0 % of their peers from the control group. At the same time, there is a tendency to increase the energy and biological value of the pigs' meat, which, during the fattening period, were fed apple pomace flour in the amount of 5 and 10 % by weight instead of barley grain. Regarding the quality of adipose tissue, a slight increase in total moisture content by 0.1–0.8 % and a decrease in fat content by 0.5–1.7 % was observed in the piglets from experimental groups, compared to similar indicators in the control group. The results of studies of physicochemical indicators of adipose tissue indicate some advantages of the fat of piglets from the control group. In particular, the melting temperature of pig fat in experimental groups was higher by 0.9–1.7 °C, and the iodine value of fat was lower by 3.3–7.1 % compared to the control group. It has been proven that using flour from apple pomace in the composition of compound feed for fattening piglets does not significantly affect the quality of their muscle and fatty tissues. At the same time, it saves part of expensive grain feed and thereby increases the efficiency of pork production
Mitotic processes in hair follicles and the morphostructure of sheep skin upon inclusion of a water-soluble fatty acid complex into their diets
Get PDFThe inclusion of fat supplements in sheep diets, particularly ω-3, ω-6, and ω-9 fatty acids, affects their productivity and product quality. In this regard, a study was conducted to examine the effect of feeding ewes a water-soluble complex of fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic, arachidonic, stearic, and linolenic) as part of their compound feed on the morphostructure of the skin and hair follicles. The study subjects were skin samples taken at the end of the experiment from the shoulder blade area. It was found that the fatty acid emulsion did not directly affect the diameter of secondary hair follicle bulbs but led to a statistically significant increase in the diameter of primary follicle bulbs, from 269.8 μm in the control group to 292.2 μm in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The increase in energetic nutritional value of the diet resulted in an increase in mitotic activity for both primary (P < 0.05) and secondary follicles (P < 0.01). Higher specific mitotic activity rates (P < 0.05) were positively correlated with wool growth. It was shown that the total skin thickness and epidermal thickness in ewes of both the control and experimental groups practically do not differ. However, in animals of the experimental group, although not statistically significant, the thickness of the reticular layer of the dermis increased, whereas the papillary layer decreased, leading to a lower ratio between these layers. The latter has a direct impact on dermal strength. As a result of studying individual morphometric indicators of the secretory components of the skin, it was established that the nutritional factors we used do not significantly affect the width of the sebaceous gland lobes. However, ewes in the experimental group, despite the lack of statistical significance, had a higher density of hair follicles (56.2 vs. 53.8 follicles/mm) compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the ratio of secondary follicles to primary follicles was 7.08 in the experimental group versus 6.04 in the control group
Effects of Selenium and vitamin E against arsenic toxicity in Broiler
Get PDFCurrently arsenic contamination in Bangladesh is the world's biggest natural calamity in terms of total population affected in an area. Arsenic is spreading in various ways in the environment and significantly threatening the public health as well as the animal health of Bangladesh. Arsenic can enter the food chain, causing widespread distribution throughout the plant and animal kingdom. This work was done in broilers to study the comparative efficacy of Selenium and Vitamin E to prevent arsenic toxicity. Sixty broilers were used in this study, and broilers were divided into a control group (T₀), arsenic-treated group (T₁), Arsenic (As) plus Selenium treated group (T₂), and Arsenic (As) plus Vitamin E treated group (T₃). Each group consists of 15 broilers. Broilers of T₀ group were given normal feed and water and kept as control. Broilers of T₁, T₂, and T₃ were given 100 mg Arsenic (As) trioxide/kg body weight, mixed with drinking water daily for 35 days. In addition to arsenic (As) trioxide broilers of group T₂ and T₃ were fed with Selenium @ 0.25 mg/kg body weight and T₃ were fed with Vitamin E @ 150 mg/kg body weight for 35 days, respectively. Five broilers from each group (T₀, T₁, T₂, and T₃) were sacrificed at 15-day intervals to determine haematological and biochemical parameters. Results showed that in group T₁, body weight gain was minimal, whereas in group T₂ and T₃, the body weight gain in broilers was better. TLC, TEC, and Hb values were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in T₁ group. Whereas in the rest groups reduction of TLC, TEC, and Hb was less than in arsenic-treated groups. SGPT, SGOT, and Serum creatinine values were increased in the As-treated group (T₁) than the control group (T₀) whereas in groups T₂ and T₃ the values were comparatively reduced.
In conclusion, Selenium and vitamin E significantly affect body weight, and haematological and biochemical changes in the case of arsenicosis in the Broiler
Features of the morphology of the respiratory organs of Clarias gariepi-nus (Burchell, 1822) of the catfish family
No full textFish farming plays a significant role in ensuring the global food supply. For achieving maximum yields in the global production of edible fish products, aquaculture has become the most dynamically developing sector. Within this context, the cultivation of Clarias catfish (Clarias gariepinus) holds particular importance due to its biological advantages in terms of growth and development when compared to other artificially cultured fish species under aquaculture conditions. This article presents findings on the morphological structure of the respiratory organs (gills and lungs) of the Clarias catfish, obtained using macroscopic, morphometric, and statistical research methods. Observations revealed distinctive features in the structure of respiratory organs in air-breathing (bimodal) fish, of which the Clarias catfish is a representative. It was shown that during the phylogenetic development of air-breathing fish, modifications occur in their gas exchange and circulatory systems–specifically, the development of a double circulatory loop–like that observed in amphibians. In these animals, paired lungs form in addition to gills, enabling them to breathe atmospheric air. Thus, in the evolutionary development of the respiratory organs of air-breathing fish such as the Clarias catfish, structural adaptations are observed compared to fish that rely solely on gill respiration. These changes ensure efficient gas exchange between the animal’s body and the surrounding environment. Such adaptations are characterized by the improvement of respiratory structures typical of amphibians, in which paired lungs form alongside gills, allowing the organism to utilize atmospheric oxygen. In unfavorable aquatic conditions, Clarias catfish can migrate to alternative water bodies. In Clarias catfish, the gills are in the pharyngeal region on the gill arches, with two rows of gill filaments attached to their outer edges. A dense network of fine blood capillaries is found within these filaments. The lungs (right and left) of the Clarias catfish are composed of branched anatomical structures situated on the second and fourth gill arches. These are paired hollow sacs with alveolate walls, connected to the esophagus and adapted for aerial respiration. The lungs originate from the gill cavities and branches in a tree-like manner to form the parabrachial organ, which includes both the right and left lungs. Each lung comprises medial and lateral lobes. Morphologically, the lungs exhibit three surfaces: dorsal (facing the dorsal part of the trunk), ventral (facing the ventral side), and mediastinal (facing the midline). The lungs also possess distinct cranial, caudal, and lateral borders. According to the results of morphometric analysis, the absolute lung mass in Clarias catfish is 5.24 ± 0.09 g, and the relative lung mass is 0.33 ± 0.02 %. The absolute mass of the left lung is 2.52 ± 0.17 g (48.13 ± 2.71 %), while the right lung weighs 2.72 ± 0.16 g (51.87 ± 2.71 %). Among the lung lobes, the medial lobes are more developed, while the lateral lobes are less developed. Specifically, the absolute mass of the medial lobe of the left lung is 2.16 ± 0.12 g (41.46 ± 2.94 %), and the lateral lobe is 0.36 ± 0.11 g (6.68 ± 1.84 %). The absolute mass of the medial lobe of the right lung is 2.24 ± 0.11 g (42.83 ± 1.5 %), while the lateral lobe weighs 0.48 ± 0.1 g (9.03 ± 1.7 %). Based on linear measurements the length of the medial lobe of the right lung is 21.0 ± 0.78 mm, the width is 32.2 ± 1.0 mm, and the thickness is 12.8 ± 0.33 mm, the lateral lobe of the right lung measures 11.2 ± 0.25 mm in length, 17.5 ± 0.4 mm in width, and 6.0 ± 0.48 mm in thickness, the medial lobe of the left lung measures 20.2 ± 0.45 mm in length, 31.4 ± 0.63 mm in width, and 12.0 ± 0.6 mm in thickness, the lateral lobe of the left lung measures 10.9 ± 0.73 mm in length, 17.3 ± 0.68 mm in width, and 5.8 ± 0.35 mm in thickness. According to the lung development index (length-to-width ratio), which is 64 %, the lungs of the Clarias catfish are classified as the expanded-shortened type
Effect of buckwheat germ meal on the natural resistance and growth rate of laboratory animals
No full textIn recent years, scientific research has shown growing interest in natural vitamin preparations, particularly those containing carotenoids. These biologically active compounds play a crucial role in antioxidant defense, support immune function, contribute to metabolic normalization, and reduce the risk of developing various chronic diseases. Significant scientific and practical interest in these compounds stems from the fact that some of them exhibit high biological activity, the ability to significantly modulate metabolic processes, prevent damage to cell membranes, and enhance the resistance of animals to adverse environmental factors. The aim of the study was to conduct a sanitary and hygienic assessment of the effect of the preparation “Buckwheat Germ Meal” on natural resistance and growth intensity of laboratory animals. The studies were conducted during 2022–2023 at the Department of Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Hygiene of Animal Products and Pathological Anatomy named after Y. S. Zahaievskyi, Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University; at the State Enterprise LLC “Bilotserkivkhliboprodukt” (Laboratory for Food Safety and Quality Control), Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region; and at the Fastiv District State Laboratory of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Kyiv region. Zoohygienic, zootechnical, morphological, biochemical, organoleptic, physicochemical, biochemical, and variation-statistical research methods were applied. The research substantiated the feasibility of using a new domestic biologically active preparation, “Buckwheat Germ Meal”, as a preventive agent. Its positive effect on morphological, biochemical, and immunological blood parameters, enhancement of natural resistance, and increased growth intensity of laboratory animals was experimentally confirmed. The use of “Buckwheat Germ Meal” contributed to moderate activation of erythropoiesis in the peripheral blood of white mice: hemoglobin levels increased by 3.7 %, erythrocyte count by 10.0 % (P < 0.05), and hematocrit by 6.2 % (P < 0.05). Feeding “Buckwheat Germ Meal” at a dose of 2.0 g per animal for 30 days moderately activated metabolic processes in white mice: total protein content increased by 6.4 % (P < 0.05), total globulins by 16.6 % (P < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase activity by 8.6 %, and aspartate aminotransferase by 5.8 % (P < 0.05). No changes in serum cholesterol activity were detected. Administration of the preparation at a dose of 2.5 g per animal did not cause any adverse effects or negative changes in the clinical condition of white mice, such as increased body temperature or delayed growth and development; therefore, it can be recommended for use in farm animals. It was established that the growth energy of white mice in the experimental group increased dynamically, and by the end of the experiment (day 60), this parameter was 14.2 % higher compared to the control group. A preparation is considered active if the difference in average daily body weight gain between groups is at least 10 %. The economic efficiency of using “Buckwheat Germ Meal” is achieved through reduced morbidity of animals and poultry, increased survival rates, higher average daily weight gain, additional live weight gain, reduced costs per unit of production, and lower production costs of livestock products
Nigerian currency redesign policy of 2023: impact on animal agriculture
Get PDFNigerian government has launched numerous policies and programs throughout the past few decades to promote national development. Redesigning of currency is still a component of the Central Bank of Nigeria's monetary policy initiatives, which are intended to discourage certain financial crimes such as hoarding of currency and counterfeiting, among others, and to reinforce the institution's sovereignty. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is on the Naira redesign policy and its effect on livestock farmers’ activities. The paper also followed descriptive research approach by reviewing the existing literature concerning the topic sentence on the latest issues relating to the 2023 Naira redesign policy. Limited access to cash and poor livestock yield were among the negative impacts of 2023 Naira redesign policy. Intended outcomes of any policy will inevitably be impacted by inconsistencies in their execution. Thus, policies should be implemented to overcome anticipated challenges that could compromise the accomplishment of goals and objectives. The article recommends that in future policy implementation, the livestock production sector should be strongly considered by Nigerian government, which should create the necessary awareness needed before enforcing deadlines on this type of policy
The effect of the Phagomast drug on the indicators of resistance in cows during the treatment of subclinical mastitis
Get PDFTraditional treatment of cows for mastitis with antibiotics leads to the development of bacterial resistance of pathogens, which causes the search for alternative therapeutic methods, such as phage therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the bacteriophage drug Phagomast on the natural resistance indicators of cows suffering from subclinical mastitis. For this purpose, cows were initially examined for the presence of subclinical mastitis using 2 % Mastidin and milk secretion culture to identify the pathogen. The treatment included Phagomast infusions twice a day. Blood indicators such as bactericidal activity of serum, lysozyme activity, circulating immune complexes, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were assessed before and after treatment. It was found that the administration of Phagomast improved immune response indicators, specifically the bactericidal activity of serum (BASS), lysozyme activity of serum (LASS), phagocytic activity of neutrophils (PA), and reduced the level of circulating immune complexes (CIC). Comparison of the results of Phagomast treatment with antibiotics showed that the use of Phagomast contributes to the restoration of the cellular immune response, specifically by reducing phagocytic activity by 4.9 %, indicating a positive impact on cellular processes. Additionally, the drug stimulates an increase in the bactericidal and lysozyme activity of serum by 6.4 % and 6.3 %, respectively, indicating a decrease in the inflammatory process in the animals' bodies. The reduction in CIC levels after treatment confirms the normalizing effect of the therapy. Therefore, the Phagomast drug effectively restores metabolic homeostasis in the body, normalizing the indicators of both cellular and humoral immunity in cows when treating mastitis
The effectiveness of vitamin and mineral premix and mineral mixture in treating hypocalcaemia in pregnant goats
No full textThe aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the vitamin and mineral premix “Koza Kitna” and the mineral mixture “Vita” in treating hypocalcaemia in pregnant goats. Experimental studies were conducted on pregnant animals in the experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 8) groups. The effectiveness of the preparations was determined based on the results of clinical and instrumental (echo osteometry) studies of goats, as well as laboratory blood tests at the beginning and end of the experiment. The content of total calcium and its ionised fraction in blood serum was determined using standardised methods, and the concentration of 25OHD3 was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the 25-OH Vitamin D Total (Vit D-Direct) test system.
It has been established that feeding pregnant goats with the vitamin and mineral premix “Koza Kitna” and the mineral mixture “Vita” in daily doses of 50 and 40 g/head for 40 days contributed to the restoration of total calcium metabolism and its ionised fraction in the blood serum of 100.0 % of the animals in the experimental group. Feeding the control group goats the mineral mixture “Vita” at a dose of 40 g/head was ineffective. The results of the ROC analysis also indicate the high effectiveness of feeding these preparations to animals in the experimental group: the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 1.0 (95 % CI: 0.832–1.0; sensitivity – 100.0 %; specificity – 100.0 %; J index – 100.0 %; P < 0.001). At the end of the experiment, the calcidiol content in the blood serum of goats in the experimental group was 1.4 times higher than that of goats at the beginning of the experiment, and its values ranged from 18.0 to 32.4 ng/mL (23.7 ± 2.31 ng/mL). Feeding the mineral mixture to the goats in the control group resulted in a slight increase in the level of 25-hydroxycolecalciferol in some of the animals, but its values were significantly lower than in the experimental group. At the end of the experiment, the speed of ultrasonic wave propagation in the experimental group of goats was significantly higher than at the beginning of the experiment and 26.2 % higher than in the control group
State of the protective systems of rats during the development of experimental toxocariasis
No full textAn important pathogenetic link of toxocariasis is the imbalance between the formation of reactive oxygen species and the capacity of the antioxidant system, which leads to intensification of lipid peroxidation, damage to biomembranes, and a decrease in the efficiency of membrane-bound enzymatic systems. In addition, parasitic invasion may cause suppression of humoral and cellular mechanisms of natural resistance and the development of an immunodeficiency state. The aim of the study was to comprehensively assess changes in the antioxidant defense system and the immune system of white rats during the development of experimental toxocariasis, in particular to determine the intensity of lipid peroxidation, the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidant system, as well as the state of humoral and cellular mechanisms of natural resistance of the organism. The study was conducted on 20 sexually mature male white rats (150–180 g) kept under standard vivarium conditions and fed a balanced diet. The animals were divided into control and experimental groups (n = 10). Rats of the experimental group were infected with invasive Toxocara canis eggs at a dose of 30 eggs per 1 g of body weight by oral administration in a 2 % starch gel. The intensity of lipid peroxidation was assessed by the levels of lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS). The state of the antioxidant system was evaluated by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and the content of reduced glutathione. Immunological status was assessed by determining serum bactericidal and lysozyme activities, the level of circulating immune complexes, as well as neutrophil phagocytic activity and the phagocytic index. Statistical analysis was performed using methods of variation statistics; differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. It was found that under conditions of experimental toxocariasis, oxidative stress develops in rats, manifested by a significant enhancement of lipid peroxidation processes: the level of lipid hydroperoxides increased by 74.8 % (P < 0.001), and TBARS increased by 23.4 % (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. Against the background of lipid peroxidation activation, suppression of antioxidant defense was observed: superoxide dismutase activity decreased by 20.9 % (P < 0.001), catalase activity by 33.2 % (P < 0.01), and glutathione peroxidase activity compared with the control; the content of reduced glutathione decreased to 1.98 ± 0.02 mM/L versus 2.72 ± 0.01 mM/L in control animals (P < 0.001). These data indicate depletion of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidant system. Evaluation of nonspecific resistance parameters revealed the development of immunodeficient changes in infected rats. Serum bactericidal activity decreased by 6.22 % (P < 0.01), and lysozyme activity by 5.07 % (P < 0.05), reflecting weakening of humoral factors of innate immunity. At the same time, a significant increase in circulating immune complexes up to 70.38 ± 3.81 mmol/L (P < 0.01–0.001) was recorded, which is a marker of immune response tension and the immune-complex component of inflammation. Regarding cellular mechanisms of nonspecific defense, suppression of phagocytosis was observed: neutrophil phagocytic activity decreased (P < 0.01), and the phagocytic index decreased by 29.9 % (P < 0.01). Thus, experimental toxocariasis in rats is accompanied by complex disturbances of the organism’s protective systems, including the development of oxidative stress with intensified lipid peroxidation and suppression of the antioxidant system, as well as a decrease in natural resistance and weakening of humoral and cellular mechanisms of nonspecific immune defense. The obtained results deepen the understanding of toxocariasis pathogenesis and may be used to assess the severity of invasion and to substantiate approaches to immunometabolic correction in parasitic diseases