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Colostrum provides newborns with nutrients and immunoglobulins that play a major role in the immune system. In this survey, the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content, gross composition, mineral content, and fatty acid composition were determined in the colostrum of Valle del Belice ewes with the aim of evaluating the effect of lambing of season. In total, we analysed 60 bulk tank colostrum samples taken after lambing during two seasons (summer and winter). The IgG con- tent and Brix mean values were 40.35 g/L and 21.02%, respectively. The colostrum fat, protein, casein, and lactose percentages were 8.01, 12.10, 8.51, and 3.13%, respectively. The lambing sea- son significantly influenced the pH and somatic cell count, with higher values observed in win- ter than in summer. The most common fatty acids were palmitic (27.75 vs. 24.84 g/100 g), oleic (24.57 vs. 18.15 g/100 g), myristic (12.55 vs. 12.16 g/100 g) and stearic (7.02 vs. 6.16 g/100 g) detected in the summer and winter seasons, respectively. The winter season significantly increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid values (11.18 vs. 6.41). Additionally, the lambing season determined different mineral composition levels in the colostrum, particularly copper (8.50 vs. 5.35 mmol/L ) and manganese (3.35 vs. 0.80 mmol/L ), which were higher in the summer. Based on IgG content, the quality of the colostrum was excellent.

In Italy, dairy sheep farming represents a vital agro-industry sector, but it is still challenged by contagious agalactia (CA), which is endemic there, and vaccination is the most economical and sustainable tool for control. This study aimed to evaluate the combined Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma)-Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) vaccine (Ma–Sa) against the Ma monovalent vaccine in ewes. Twelve primiparous Ma-free ewes were randomly grouped into three equal groups: first, the control group injected with placebo, second, the group vaccinated with the Ma monovalent vaccine, and third, the group vaccinated with Ma–Sa combined vaccine, with two S/C doses at 45-day intervals. The animals were examined for serological, hematological, and somatic cell count (SCC) changes for 17 successive weeks. A significant increase in anti-Ma antibody mean titers, leukocytes, and platelets was observed in the vaccinated animals, with the highest values in those who received the combined vaccine. Neutrophils were high only in the animals who received the combined vaccine. SCC was lower in the vaccinated animals during the first six weeks. This study concludes that the combined Ma–Sa vaccines enhance immune response and potentiate its efficacy against Ma. This improvement might be attributed to the sensitization/activation effect of S. aureus on platelets, which are recoded to act as a key regulator for the coordination of all components of the innate immune system. Even though this study included a small number of animals, its findings about the potentialities of this inactivated vaccine in the control of CA are strongly encouraging. Further confirmation might be needed through additional replicates and a challenge study is needed before proceeding with widespread use.

In Italy, dairy sheep farming represents a vital agro-industry sector, but it is still challenged by contagious agalactia (CA), which is endemic there, and vaccination is the most economical and sustainable tool for control. This study aimed to evaluate the combined

The survey of available scientific literature shows a lack of data on the chronic effects of tebuconazole (TEB) on non-target aquatic organisms. Therefore, this study evaluates toxicity (10 and 20 days) of two considered concentrations 2 ng/L (E1) and 2 μg/L (E2) of TEB to bioindicator species Mytilus galloprovincialis. To this end, the TEB concentrations measured in soft mussel tissues showed a time-dependent increasing trend. The viability of haemocyte and digestive gland (DG) cells was higher than 95 % during the experiment. However, DG cells lost the ability to regulate their volume in both groups after 20-d. The E1 treatment increased Cl

Social stress can affect the ability of fish to respond to various stressors, such as pathogens or environmental variations. In this paper, the effects of social stress on gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated. To study the effects of physiological stress, we evaluated biochemical and cellular parameters, such as cortisol, glucose, lactate, osmolarity, and phagocytosis, 24 h after the establishment of social hierarchy in a group of three fish. Social hierarchy was determined and characterized by behavioral observation (aggressive acts and feeding order) of the specimens (dominant: “α”; subordinate: “β” and “γ”). After the establishment of social hierarchy, we observed that, overall, levels of plasma cortisol and other biochemical plasmatic stress markers (glucose and lactate) were higher in subordinate individuals than in dominant individuals. In addition, the modulation of phagocytic activity of the peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) demonstrated that social stress appeared to affect immune response. Finally, principal component analysis clearly separated the subordinate fish groups from the dominant groups, based on stress markers and the phagocytic activity of peritoneal exudate cells. This study contributes to current knowledge on gilt-head sea bream, helping to understand the link between social stress, behavior, and physiology of this species, relevant in the aquaculture sector, where fish are subjected to several kinds of stress.

The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 µg/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th–11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann–Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found in Group B with monocytes (r = 0.37, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.30, p < 0.05), and in Group C with monocytes (r = 0.79, p < 0.01), basophils (r = 0.6, p < 0.05), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.63, p < 0.05). Higher cortisol values related to late pregnancy are also found in this species. These preliminary results provide evidence for a relationship between cortisol and the immune system as well as cortisol and lipid metabolism modulated by age and pregnancy when parameters are within normal values.

The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 µg/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th-11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann-Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (

Territoriality, spatial exploration and social hierarchy are strictly related behaviors in gregarious fishes, and are often under-appreciated in farms where the individuals are confined within crowded spaces. In this study, we investigated the role of spatial exploration, elucidating the importance of time upon forming the social organization, and the role of the territoriality in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), using two experimental approaches. In the first approach, three fish were placed sequentially in the aquarium with an interval of two days (sequential model), while in the second (simultaneous model), two fish were simultaneously placed in an aquarium divided by a barrier which was removed after a certain period of time. To study the effect of social stress and spatial perception in the two models, we monitored behavior (aggressive acts and feeding priority), integrated with the evaluation of physiological and cellular stress parameters, such as phagocytosis, cortisol, glucose, and blood osmolarity levels. After the establishment of the social hierarchy in the “sequential model”, we observed that the levels of cortisol and an immunological cell-mediated marker were higher in subordinate individuals than in the dominant ones. We observed a different modulation of phagocytic activity in peritoneal cavity cells between dominant and subordinates, demonstrating that social stress acts upon immune response. Differently from the first model, no behavioral, physiological, or phagocytic differences were found between the two fish involved in the simultaneous model, where both fish acted as co-dominants, defending their territory. The study achieved a deeper understanding of the role of spatial exploration, territorial dominance and intraspecific interaction in gilthead seabream, and elucidated the link between them and physiological stress indicators. The results highlight aspects of interest to the aquaculture industry, showing the importance of a greater focus on rearing conditions, finding solutions to mitigate crowding effects and promoting the quality of aquacultural products.

In recent years, concern for the welfare of animals, including fish, has a strong impact on public opinion, putting pressure not only on producers and the scientific community, but also on institution to guarantee adequate "standards” for animal welfare. The market today challenges the production capacity of aquaculture by asking for products with consistently high quality. Unlike other farming methods, there is a lack of scientific information on the welfare of fish reared under intensive aquaculture conditions. Among the various aspects that characterize aquaculture, the increase in fish welfare has an impact on public opinion also for economic reasons whereby is very important to keep animals in good health, determine a higher feed conversion rate, lower mortality, optimal growth rate and high quality of the animal raised. Whereas stress events, acute and chronic, are reflected on the flesh, due to the increase in muscle activity (generally associated with this condition). We have firstly demonstrated that accelerometer tags are useful tools for welfare monitoring, indeed they do not affect welfare and health of implanted fish and that tagged fish can be sampled during experiments and be considered as representative of population, by displaying similar growth and physiological parameters compared to untagged fish. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of two organic diets (contain organic vegetables and a natural antioxidant compound) on the welfare of the European sea bass compared to one conventional. A holistic approach was adopted, including the measurement of the primary stress response (cortisol), secondary (i.e. lactate, glucose, haematological parameters, lysozyme) and tertiary (i.e. swimming performance, muscle activity and growth parameters) indicators. In parallel, we evaluated the enzymatic activities of 7-ethoxyresoruphine-O-deethylase and glutathione-S-transferase, as index of function of the microsomal hepatic system of mixed function oxygenase (MFO), to evaluate the possible effects of pollutant contamination through the diet. In this study, multiparameter analysis approaches were performed to bring a better understanding of the effectiveness of a holistic approach to quantify welfare in organic aquaculture. The multi-parameter approach has outlined a complete picture of the physiological state of the sea bass. The Principal Component Analysis and the Multi-Criteria-Decision-Analysis have proved to be useful tools for an integrated assessment of the well-being of the fish, highlighting that the best condition was achieved in the experimental group fed with the organic protein-rich diet.

Social stress can affect the ability of the fish to respond to various stressors, such as pathogens or environmental variations. In this paper, the effects of social stress on gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated. To study the effects of physiological stress, we evaluated biochemical and cellular parameters as cortisol, glucose, lactate, osmolarity and phagocytosis 24 hours after the establishment of social hierarchy. Social hierarchy was determined and characterised by behavioural observation (aggressive acts and feeding order) of the specimens (dominant “α”, subordinate “β” and “γ”). After the establishment of the social hierarchy, we observed that the levels of plasma cortisol and other biochemical stress markers (glucose and lactate) were higher in subordinate individuals than in dominant ones. In addition, the modulation of phagocytic activity of the peritoneal cavity cells (PEC) demonstrated that social stress appeared to affect the immune response. At last, principal component analysis clearly separated the subordinate fish groups from the dominant groups based on stress markers and phagocytic activity of the peritoneal exudates cells.

Toxicity related to consumption of Cistus sp. pl. has been described in ruminants in some countries. This report describes the clinical and pathological findings of Cistus salviifolius toxicosis in 3 beef cattle herds located in 2 different areas of Sicily, Italy. Outbreaks were observed after grazing in poor winter pasture where C. salviifolius was abundant. Mean morbidity and mortality were 29% and 21%, respectively. Most of the affected animals (6 to 36 months old) showed anorexia, weight loss, and pollakiuria culminating in recumbency and death. Occasionally, abortion and neurological signs were observed. In animals with acute signs, there was a moderate decrease of sodium and chloride concentrations in serum. Animals with chronic signs showed an increase of serum urea, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and phosphorus and a decrease in total serum protein, calcium, chloride, and magnesium concentrations. Moderate anemia and slight neutropenia, lymphocytosis, and eosinophilia were detected in all groups. At necropsy, the main lesion was severe distention of the urinary bladder with turbid hemorrhagic urine and crystalluria. Histologically, chronic cystitis, interstitial nephritis, eosinophilic enteritis, and nonsuppurative necrotizing hepatitis were observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. salviifolius toxicosis in cattle in Italy.

In the present work, the marine invertebrate Mytilus galloprovincialis was used as model organism to evaluate the toxic effects of the neonicotinoid Calypso 480 SC (CAL) following 20 days of exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of 7.77 mg L-1 (0.1 % 96h-LC50) and 77.70 mg L-1 (1 % 96h-LC50), and a recovery period of 10 days in uncontaminated seawater. Results revealed that exposure to both concentrations of CAL increased significantly mortality rate in the cells of haemolymph and digestive gland, while digestive gland cells were no longer able to regulate cell volume. Exposure significantly reduced haemolymph parameters (Cl-, Na+), affected the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase of digestive gland and catalase of gill, and caused also histopathological alterations in digestive gland and gills. Main histological damages detected in mussels were lipofuscin accumulation, focal points of necrosis, mucous overproduction and infiltrative inflammations. Interestingly, alterations persisted after the recovery period in CAL-free water, especially for haemocyte parameters (K+, Na+, Ca2+, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose). A slight recovery of histological conditions was detected. These findings suggested that sub-chronic exposure to the neonicotinoid insecticide caused important alterations in both cell and tissue parameters of M. galloprovincialis. Considering the ecologically and commercially important role of mussels in coastal waters, a potential risk posed by neonicotinoids to this essential aquatic resource can be highlighted.

The hormonal activity of the thyroid gland has an important role in ruminants for the modulation of metabolic variables. In this study changes in thyroid hormones and biochemical parameters in dairy cows around calving were evaluated and the critical thyroid hormones thresholds for predicting the risk of ketosis were estimated. Blood samples were collected from 82 dairy cows at 5±3 days pre-partum and 5±3 days postpartum. Serum values of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), insulin, glucose, Ca, Cl, Mg, P, K, Na, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and urea were evaluated. Signifi cant decrease in the levels of T3, T4 and TSH was found in the postpartum period. The values of T3 and T4 were negatively correlated with NEFA and BHB levels, and TSH values were negatively correlated with NEFA. A critical T3 threshold was found by means of ROC analysis for predicting the risk of ketosis. T3 values < 1.23 nmol/L were associated with BHB > 1.10 mmol/L in postpartum, which represents the BHB threshold commonly used as the indicator of hyperketonaemia. The results confirm that the peripartum period is accompanied by marked changes in circulating thyroid hormone profile that is correlated with lipomobilization predictors.

An evaluation of blood chemistry profile in relation to specific stages of livestock cycle can help better understand variations in physiological conditions in order to adjust management systems to animal needs. In addition to basal hematological investigation, the acid-base balance and blood gases are essential tools in evaluating metabolism in calves. The relationship between blood gas parameters, diet and growth should be further investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acid-base status, blood gases, serum chemistry and hematological parameters in veal calves at different periods of livestock cycle. One hundred twenty-eight healthy cross breeding calves were enrolled in a farm in North-East Italy. Blood samplings were carried out from the jugular vein on day 1 (t1), 60 (t2) and 150 (t3) after arrival. Blood gas analysis was performed and hematological parameters were evaluated. One-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test were performed to assess differences between blood parameter values at the different periods. The main differences in blood gas parameter levels during the livestock cycle concerned pH, Base Excess and HCO3 with higher values recorded in t3. Urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin mean values were significantly higher in t1 than in t2 and t3. Aspartate aminotransferase increased from t1 to t2 and t3. Alkaline Phosphatase was higher in t2. Fe levels severely dropped in t2 and in t3, and the decrease led to a restrained but significant reduction in haemoglobin values. A correspondent decrease in the other haemocytometric parameters was found.

Aliphatic hydrocarbon levels were determined by the GC/MS technique in fish livers of Engraulis encrasicolus (Ee) and Trachurus trachurus (Tt), collected from a particular area of the Mediterranean Sea, called GSA 10, which is located exactly in Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania coast and North Sicily coast. The aim was to evaluate their potential use as specific bioindicators towards this class of contaminants. Both Tt and Ee are considered to be pollution monitoring bioindicators, due to their dominance in marine communities and economic fishing interest. Ee showed a higher tendency to bioaccumulate TAHs, due to the lower quantity of fatty acids in liver tissues with respect to Tt. The area under study has been characterised a) chemically with the acquisition of temperature, oxygen and salinity profiles along the water column, and b) ecologically with the determination of amino acid contents in fish eyes, in order to gain information on the adaptation to environmental changes. Moreover, specific activities of two hydrolytic enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase in fish epidermal mucus, together with lactate in blood plasma and cortisol levels, have been investigated for the first time, in order to obtain insights into the effects of hydrocarbons on animal welfare. A multiple co-inertia analysis was also applied to chemical and environmental parameters, in order to explore any possible correlation between different variables. The multivariate approach showed a clear spatial distribution between environmental and chemical variables in Ee, whilst there was an absence of a spatial trend in Tt. Moreover, the chemometric analysis showed a very high correlation between amino acid profiles and environmental variables for both species, confirming the possibility of being used as ecological welfare indices for short-term environmental variations.

The importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) within the biological functions of animals has been widely recognized. In this study, exercise and PUFAs’ supplementation effects on serum triglycerides (Try), total cholesterol (Chol), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) concentration were evaluated in athletic horses. Ten regularly trained thoroughbred horses were randomly divided in two groups, control group (CG; n = 5) and experimental group (EG; n = 5). EG received a 4-week PUFA supplementation; CG received no dietary supplement. Blood samples were collected from the animals every 10 days before (PreD10, PreD20, PreD30) and after (PostD10, PostD20, PostD30) 1700 metres of race and were tested for selected parameters. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures showed lower Chol levels at PreD10, PreD20, and PreD30 in EG with respect to control CG (P

Thirty-five multiparous Holstein dairy cows were selected from a high-producing dairy farm in northeastern Italy: 16 in second lactation (L2), 10 in third lactation (L3) and 9 in fourth lactation (L4). Blood sampling was carried out 7 ± 5 days before calving (Pre/C) and 7 ± 5 days after calving (Post/C). Serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were assessed. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed statistically significant effects of class (L2, L3, L4) and of period (Pre/C, Post/C) on the parameters studied (T3, T4, TSH). In particular, Bonferroni's multiple comparison test showed lower values in post-calving than in the pre-calving in L2 and L3 for TSH; lower values in post-calving than in the pre-calving in L2 for T3; and lower values in post-calving than in the pre-calving in L2, L3 and L4 for T4. Our results improve the knowledge of endocrine and metabolic changes occurring in dairy cows during transition periods and may be useful to supply a new strategy for the improvement of dairy cow farm management and reproductive performance.

The changes of cortisol, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated after a reining training session in eight Quarter Horses. All parameters were measured before exercise (T0), immediately after exercise (T1), 1 h after exercise (T2), 2 h after exercise (T3) and 24 h after exercise (T4). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, followed Bonferroni's post hoc test, showed a significant effect of the reining training session (P < 0.0001) on cortisol, RBC, Hb, Hct, HR, RR and RT. Simple linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation (P < 0.05) between cortisol changes and variations of studied parameters in T1, T3 and T4. Exercise-induced cortisol concentrations reflect the physiological response of reining training, suggesting that the changes observed are useful to assess the performance in reining horses and their reining training adaptability.

Haematological analysis is an essential field of veterinary medicine that provides inexpensive and reliable support to determinate animal health. The knowledge of how different factors affect the normal mean values of blood parameters is key to understand and improve animal health. In order to investigate how captivity can affect the haematological profile of birds of prey, the erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, total leukocytes count of 123 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) were analysed. The birds were divided into 4 groups according to their life conditions: a control group of free-living griffons, 2 semi-captive groups held in an aviary for 15 and 30 days respectively, representing short-term captivity, and a captive group that had lived in cage for about 2 years. Our results showed that long-term captivity could influence haematocrit value and haemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, discriminant analysis highlighted significant separation between the captive birds on one hand and the control group and the semi-captive birds on the other. Instead, short-term captivity did not seem to affect prominently haemocytometric profile.

In this study changes in hematochemical parameters, milk composition and yield were investigated in buffaloes during the transition period. A total of 93 buffaloes 113.9 ± 8.03 months old and 535 ± 50 kg average body weight were used. Parity was recorded, blood samples were collected from 80 days pre-partum until 70 days post-partum; milk samples were collected from 5 days to 70 days post-partum. On serum samples, the values of non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea, total proteins were evaluated. On milk, percentage of fat, protein and lactose, along with the somatic cell count (SCC), milk yield and daily milk production (DMP) were assessed. The peripartum period significantly (P ≤ 0.01) influenced all studied parameters with the exception of glucose. Milk fat percentage showed decreasing trend from 10 until 40 days post-partum; DMP significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased from 1 day post-partum until 40 days post-partum. Milk yield significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased in animals over the sixth lactation. Our results confirmed the importance of transit period in buffaloes. Blood parameters and milk composition alterations are crucial to predict the energy balance status of buffaloes in order to improve their management and feed intake during the transition period.

Twenty clinically healthy goats were divided into two equal groups based on two different diets. Goats in group A were fed with 25 % barley, 12 % oat, 15 % faba bean, 10 % pea, 20 % sugar beet pulps, 5 % molasses and 3 % mineral. Goats in group B were fed with 25 % corn, 15 % soybean hulls, 12 % soybean meal, 10 % sunflower meal, 20 % sugar beet pulps, 5 % molasses and 3 % mineral. To establish the effect of diet composition on haematological and biochemical concentrations, blood samples were collected from the external jugular vein once a week, for 1 month (T0–T4), twice daily (0700 and 1800 hours). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed a significant effect of different diets (P

Experimental studies have highlighted that the administration of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) to rats fed diets rich in lipids induces a decrease of cholesterol and triglycerides plasma levels and body weight (BW) without inducing liver steatosis. On the basis of these observations we carried out some experimental in vivo studies to assess the effects of multiple high doses of T2 on the pituitary thyroid axis of rats fed diet rich in lipids. Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of five animals each. The first group (N group) received standard diet, the second group was fed with a high fat diet (HFD group), while the third group (HFDT2 group) was additionally given T2 intraperitoneally at a dose level of 70 µg/100 g of BW three times a week up to four weeks. At the end of the treatment, blood sample from each animal was collected, centrifuged and the serum was stored at -20°C. The serum concentrations of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine, thyroxine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase were then determined. In addition, liver of rats was examined by histology in order to assess the presence and degree of steatosis. The administration of T2 to rats fed with a high fat diet suppressed TSH secretion (P=0.013) while no steatosis was observed in the liver of these animals. Our data show that multiple administrations of high doses of T2 to rats fed diets rich in lipid inhibit TSH secretion and prevent the onset of liver steatosis in these animals.

The presence of a xenobiotic in the environment can often represent a risk for living organisms. Quaternium-15, a preservative, is one of the most used substances and is added to several cosmetics and other industrial products. For this reason,kwowing the bio-indicator of the marine environment, the toxicological effects potentially elicited by this preservative on the marine invertebrate Mytilus galloprovincialis were studied. The results of this work confirm that quaternium-15, used at 0.1 and 1mg/l concentrations, while metabolized in M. galloprovincialis, causes a decrease in cellular viability, and remarkable changes to the defense and antioxidant system. In fact, haemocyte viability is dramatically reduced, and haemolymphatic parameter measurements indicate a stress on the animal. Moreover, an increase in radical species production, in Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Species (TBARS) concentration, and in the Heat Shock Protein 70 amount, were observed in hepatopancreas. These changes suggest that the antioxidant systems are activated to overwhelm the oxidative damage induced by quaternium-15. Quaternium-15 jeopardizes both the defense and antioxidant systems. These results provide essential information with the biological fate of quaternium-15 in aquatic organisms, and confirm that biomarkers represent an important tool for modern environmental assessments as they can help with the prediction of pollutants involved in the monitoring program.

Background: Electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins provide useful information on pathological conditions in ruminants. Their reference values, however, are dissimilar to those of other species. Reference values for goats using agarose gel as the supporting matrix have not been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of total protein and protein fractions (albumin and globulins) by means of agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) in goats in order to establish electrophoretic reference intervals and to evaluate potential changes associated with aging. Methods: Blood was collected from 105 clinically healthy Girgentana goats by means of jugular venipuncture. Serum protein concentrations were assessed by AGE. Three age groups were compared: 1–1.5 years, 2–4 years, and 5–12 years. Results: Values (mean ± SD) were determined for concentrations of total protein (72.26 ± 6.40 g/L), albumin (31.80 ± 4.00 g/L), α-globulins (6.40 ± 1.23 g/L), β1-globulins (10.50 ± 2.58 g/L), β2-globulins (5.18 ± 1.60 g/L), and γ-globulins (18.65 ± 5.90 g/L) and for albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio (0.82 ± 0.20). One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant age-related differences for total protein and α-globulin concentrations and A/G ratios. Age influenced protein concentrations with the 5–12-year-old group having higher total protein and α-globulin concentrations and lower albumin concentration and A/G ratios than the 2–4-year-old group. Conclusions: This study provides reference values for total protein concentrations and protein fractions obtained by AGE in goats. Some values vary with age. Age-specific reference intervals are reported in order to provide clinicians with an additional diagnostic aid.

Faro Lake is a coastal meromictic lagoon with singular characteristics in the Mediterranean (Messina, Sicily - Italy). It is part of the Natural Oriented Reserve of Capo Peloro (38° 15' 57″ N; 15° 37' 50″ E). In this area, traditional mollusc farming activity persists, producing 'autochthonous' mussels. This study reports of the Mytilus galloprovincialis haemolymph chemical profile and water variables determination of 1 year-lasted survey (April 2016 - March 2017). The determinations of electrolytes (Na+ , Cl- , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , P inorganic) and heavy metals in both Faro lake water and haemolymph have been carried out. Heavy metals are elements with high density and are quite toxic in low concentrations, such as Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Cobalt (Co), Chrome (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn). Heavy metals toxicity depends, principally, on bioaccumulation processes. M. galloprovincialis is a good bio-indicator, ideal for assess levels of environmental pollution thanks to its biological, ecological and physiological characteristics. The results of this study showed a typical fluctuation range in haemolymph and water parameters, related to the water ones; chemical-physical parameters affected the ions (electrolytes and metals) levels in some period of the year. The study reports the interactions between biotic (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and abiotic (water parameters) components of Faro Lake, and creates reference data for further future study on the same area or on similar ones.

Aim The purpose of the research was to test and validate an innovative and safe chemiluminescence method to evaluate sexual hormones in serum and plasma samples of Tursiops truncatus. Materials and methods The research was performed on 9 bottlenose dolphins entertained in Oltremare and in Zoomarine aquatic parks, sampled by the tail vein or from the ventral one and an ultrasound monitoring, throughout a 6 months period. Blood samples were analyzed using a chemiluminescence method. Data obtained were compared to radioimmunoassay and enzyme immuno assay reference data, with the purpose to test and validate this method, through the calculation of the coefficient of variability, and its reliability on serum and plasma samples. A one-way analysis of variance was applied to test the effect of time on serum and plasma hormonal changes. Results Mean concentrations of estradiol-17β in serum were equal to 149.07±6.82 pmol/L, and in plasma equal to 159.14±12.99 pmol/L; mean values of progesterone in serum were equal to 0.69±0.05 pmol/L, and in plasma equal to 0.64±0.05 pmol/L; mean values of testosterone in serum were equal to 44.43±14.42 nmol/L, and in plasma equal to 48.99±11.20 nmol/L. Conclusion It would be interesting to widen the investigations on a larger number of subjects, in which the relationship between the concentrations of free and binding steroid hormones, with the dosing of binding proteins, would define the physiological ranges of reference in the T. truncatus.

The aim of this study was to establish and compare reference intervals of some haematological and electrophoretic parameters at different ages (1–2, 3–4 and over 5 years) in two Italian goat breeds: Aspromontana and Girgentana. A total of 90 female Aspromontana goats and 95 female Girgentana goats, ranging from 1 to 11 years of age, clinically healthy, were used. Blood samples were collected from each animal and analysed for haematological parameters and serum proteins profile with routine methods. Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant effect of age on white blood cell (WBC, P < 0.0001) in Aspromontana goats and on haematocrit (Hct, P < 0.009) in Girgentana goats. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of age on concentrations of total protein (P < 0.05), albumin (P < 0.01) and on the albumin: globulins (A/G) ratio (P < 0.05) in Aspromontana goats. In Girgentana goats, statistical analysis showed a significant effect of age on concentrations of total protein (P < 0.01), albumin (P < ...

The seasonal rhythms reflect the ability of the endogenous adaptive mechanism to react in advance to the regular environmental changes associated with the seasons. It seems that these biochemical parameters are often influenced by a change in physiological status. The aim of this study was to assess the trend of annual variations of some biochemical parameters in dairy cows. The experimental subjects were ten dairy cows and the start of the experimental period coincided with the last month of pregnancy. These animals were monitored for one year and blood samples were collected every month. From the obtained sera, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), tryglicerides, β-hydroxybutyrate, total proteins, calcium and phosphorus were assessed by means of an automated spectrophotometer. All the results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Data were normally distributed (P, Ritam promjene godišnjih doba utječe na endogeni adaptacijski mehanizam kako bi on unaprijed reagirao na sezonske promjene u okolišu. Čini se da promjene u fiziološkom stanju često utječu na biokemijske pokazatelje vezane uz taj mehanizam. Svrha je ovog istraživanja procijeniti utjecaj godišnjih promjena na neke biokemijske pokazatelje u mliječnih krava. U pokus je bilo uzeto 10 mliječnih krava, a sam je pokus započeo kad su one bile u posljednjem mjesecu bređosti. Krave su bile promatrane tijekom jedne godine, a krv im je bila uzimana svaki mjesec. Uzeti uzorci seruma bili su automatskim spekrofotometrom pretraženi na ukupni bilirubin, dušik iz ureje u krvi (BUN), kreatinin, ukupni kolesterol, neesterificirane masne kiseline, trigliceride, β-hidroksibutirat, ukupne bjelančevine te kalcij i fosfor. Rezultati su bili izraženi kao srednja vrijednost ± standardna devijacija (SD). Podatci su bili normalno distribuirani (P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentration of calcium, chloride, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, in sheep and goats, during 12 months. The experimental subjects were six female sheep (Valle del Belice breed; aged 4 ± 1 years; mean weight, 68 ± 6 kg) and six female goats (Maltese breed; aged 3 ± 1 years; mean weight, 45 ± 3 kg). All subjects were clinically healthy and not pregnant nor lactating before and during the study. Blood samples were collected every 30 days at the same time (09:00) for 1 year (12 months). On the obtained sera, calcium, chloride, phosphorus, and magnesium were assessed by means of UV spectrophotometry; sodium and potassium were assessed by means of semiautomatic flame photometry. The application of the periodic model and statistical analysis of the cosinor procedure demonstrated seasonal rhythms of calcium, chloride, and sodium only in goats. Calcium showed the acrophase during the spring season, whereas the sodium and chloride serum values showed a seasonal rhythm with the acrophase in early summer. Our study sheds light on the seasonal difference existing between sheep and goats and provides useful information in livestock productions.

The purpose of this study was to determine haematolog ical, haematochemical, and electrophoretic reference values for the Girgentana goat in order to form a basis for clinical interpretation. The study included 348 female Girgentana goats aged from 1 to 6 years. The animals were divided into 3 groups: goats aged 1-2 years (group A), goats aged 3-4 years (group B), and goats aged 5-6 years (group C). Blood samples were collected from each animal every morning at the same time (0800) by means of jugular venipuncture, and red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEU), lymphocyte (LYM), monocyte (MONO), eosinophil (EOS), and basophil (BASO) counts, and haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume percent (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were recorded. Additionally, the concentration of some haematochemical parameters, including alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamine-transferase (γ-GT), creatinine, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, non- esterified fatty acids (NEFA), potassium, sodium, and chloride, and the electrophoretic profile (albumin, α1-globulins, α2-globulins, β-globulins, γ-globulins, total proteins and albumin:globulins ratio) were determined. Statistical analysis (one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)), followed by Bonferroni's test, showed that there were significant differences only in RBC, MCV, EOS, ALT, AST, creatinine, γ-GT, sodium, urea, NEFA, γ-globulins, and the albumin:globulins ratio (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). The values determined in the present study contribute to the knowledge of the reference ranges for the Girgentana goat and can be used for monitoring health and disease diagnosis.

The authors studied the course of serum proteins during the first week and the first month of life in the calf in order to obtain useful information for neonatal care. Eight Limousine calves, four males and four females, clinically healthy, were used. From all animals blood samples were collected from the external jugular vein from the day after the birth every day for one week and every five days for thirty days. Blood samples were taken at the same hour (09:00), and the serum concentrations of albumin, globulins (α1-globulins, α2-globulins, β- globulins, γ-globulins) and total proteins were determined by means of automated multiparametric agarose gel electrophoresis system. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni's test, was used to determine significant differences. Data analysis of variance showed a significant effect of days of life, with p < 0.05, only on albumin, α1-globulins and α2-globulins during the first month of life. These results confirm that despite the fact that newborns must adapt to various environmental factors after birth, including nutrition that can influence the serum protein profile during neonatal period, the evaluation of electrophoretic's parameters during the first months of life results useful for the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal diseases.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate total serum protein concentration measured by the biuret reaction as well as albumin and globulin protein fractions determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. These data were used to establish reference intervals in dairy cows of different ages. Blood was collected from 111 clinically healthy Modicana dairy cows by means of jugular venipuncture. Reference intervals (mean ± standard deviation) were determined for total protein (67.54 ± 11.53 g/l), albumin (31.86 ± 4.60 g/l), α1-globulin (5.77 ± 2.20 g/l), α2-globulin (5.84 ± 1.90 g/l), β-globulin (7.46 ± 1.94 g/l), and γ-globulin (16.73 ± 4.54 g/l) concentrations as well as for albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio (0.88 ± 0.43). Values from 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old cows were compared statistically. One-way analysis of variance showed age-related differences for α-globulin and β-globulin fractions only. The results of the current study provide reference intervals for total protein concentration as well as albumin and globulin protein fractions in 2- to 6-year-old dairy cows.