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The sister chromatid exchange test is regarded as a highly sensitive cytogenetic assay. It measures chromosome sensitivity to particular damage factors and provides information on control and repair mechanism performance. It is instrumental in the early identification of the effects of noxious factors present in the habitat. This investigation was aimed at identifying sister chromatid exchange sites in coypu and rabbit chromosomes, as well as determining the spontaneity of the process by applying different BrdU doses. The chromosomes were obtained from an in vitro culture of blood lymphocytes, supplemented with 4 different BrdU doses: 0.25/0.5/1.0/2.5 μg/ml in order to identify spontaneous sister chromatid exchanges in both animal species. The chromosomes were stained according to the FPG method. Spontaneous SCEs were observed in coypu at a concentration of 1.0 μg/ml, and in rabbits at 0.5 μg/ml. The mean SCE/cell incidence was 1.41±1.15 in coypu, and 2.69±2.14 in rabbits. Differences in SCE incidence were identified between the analysed animal species and the applied BrdU doses.

The aim of the study, conducted in the years 2011-2013, was to determine the level of gastrointestinal parasites infection in New Zealand White rabbits, kept at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow. The study showed rabbits protozoan infection with the genus Eimeria, belonging - based on the sporulation method - to the following species: E. magna, E. media, E. perforans, E. stiedae and E. irresidua. The highest prevalence of infection, as well as the intensity of oocysts output (OPG - oocysts per gram of faeces), was noted for E. magna and E. media - respectively 31.4 % (19477.3 OPG), and 40.0 % (14256.07 OPG). The infection of rabbits with Eimeria spp. differed significantly between years. With regard to oocysts output, the level of infection was strongly connected with the age of rabbits, being higher in young animals. However, the range of infection was highest among adults. Among nematodes, Passalurus ambiguus pinworm was regularly found (prevalence reached 21.9%), other species - Trichuris leporis, and Graphidium strigosum were rarely noted. The overall infection with nematodes did not differ between years. Similarly, as in the case of Eimeria older individuals were more often infected by nematodes. We observed some trends in parasite oocysts/eggs output; the protozoan oocysts were recorded more often in faecal samples collected in the evenings, whereas the nematodes eggs occurred frequently in the mornings. This situation may be related to the phenomenon of coprophagy occurring in the mammals of Lagomorpha order. The results of the study indicate that especially coccidiosis constitute permanently throughout the years an important problem in the rabbitry examined.

Silver nanoparticles possess valuable physical, chemical, and biological properties, rendering them widely applied as bioactive agents in the industry. Nonetheless, their influence on the natural environment and on living organisms remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of polymer composites containing silver nanoparticles on sperm cells. The nanosilver polymer composites were chemically synthesized, employing sodium alginate as the stabilizer. The reducing agents employed were solutions comprising sodium borohydride and xylose. The concentration of silver nanoparticles obtained after synthesis was 100 parts per million. The examined biological species were rabbit sperm cells. The impact of nanosilver on the sperm was assessed through the elucidation of the toxicity profile, comet test, and analysis of morphological characteristics of the animal cells. The results of the study demonstrate a twofold impact of polymer composites infused with silver nanoparticles on domestic rabbit sperm when obtained through chemical synthesis using two reducing agents (xylose and sodium borohydride) at a 10 ppm concentration. The comet test showed no harmful effect on the DNA integrity of rabbit sperm by the tested compounds. Twenty-four-hour exposure of rabbit spermatozoa to silver nanoparticles, obtained by reducing xylose and borohydride, induced significant secondary changes in the morphological structure of male reproductive cells. These findings indicate the potential reproductive toxicity of silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents: Sperm morphology and morphometry are considered parameters in fertility diagnosis. They are especially important in the case of species for which there is no standard with respect to morphometric sperm parameters. It is then crucial to apply the staining technique that has the least influence on the sperm structure and provides the most detailed image, so as to enable measurements. The aim of the research was to assess the morphometric parameters of rabbit sperm using silver nitrate staining. The staining process revealed a detailed image of the spermatozoon head and tail, thus enabling precise measurements. From these basic morphometric parameters, four additional shape indices characterizing the sperm head were calculated: ellipticity, elongation, roughness and regularity. These parameters more precisely characterize the shape of the sperm head. Silver nitrate staining can be used as an independent technique in assessment of sperm structure or to supplement routine diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]