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Significant technological progress in the field of wireless devices that were primarily intended for military purposes, has resulted in their common manipulation by the general population. Wi-Fi, mobile phones, and other modern devices offer many advantages to their users. On the other hand, their excessive usage creates an environmental burden, also known as electrosmog. The objective of our current study was the observation of the Wi-Fi radiation effect on the histo-logical structure of the organs in the 9-day-old chicken embryo. On day 9 of incubation, the embryological material was routinely processed for preparation of hematoxylin-eosin, picrosirius red and periodic acid Schiff stained histological sections. Radiation with a frequency of 2.4 GHz and average power density of 300 µW.m−2 applied during the entire development up to the 9th embryonic day did not fundamentally affect general organogenesis. However, in the parenchyma of organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and gonads, as well as in the developing mesenchyme, obvious vascular congestion of the blood vessels of different caliber was observed. Also, an increase in collagen and glycosaminoglycans production in the cartilaginous matrix and perichondrium of the future bone skeleton as well as developing connective tissue was noted. Although these morphological changes were just subtle, they point to the Wi-Fi radiation’s ability to influence the histogenesis of the individual.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the testicular profile of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats presenting with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in the absence or presence of obesity. To achieve this, testes were collected from 270-day-old male Wistar (n = 15), ZDF nonobese (n = 15), and ZDF obese rats (n = 16). Changes to the testicular structure were quantified morphometrically, while immunocytochemistry was employed to assess caspase-3 activity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, fluctuations of major antioxidant molecules, and the extent of damage to the proteins and lipids were assessed in tissue lysates. Levels of selected interleukins (ILs) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results reveal significant alterations to the testicular structure accompanied by caspase-3 overexpression, particularly in ZDF obese rats. The most notable disruption of the oxidative balance, characterized by ROS overproduction, antioxidant deficiency, protein, and lipid deterioration was recorded in ZDF rats suffering from both DM2 and obesity. Accordingly, the highest concentrations of pro-inflammatory IL-1, IL-6, and IL-18 accompanied by reduced levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 were found in testicular tissue collected from ZDF obese rats. This study highlights the vulnerability of male gonads to pathophysiological changes caused by hyperglycemia, which are further exacerbated by excessive adipose tissue.

The aim of this work was to determine the possible causes of sudden death in fattening pigs associated with haemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) in a commercial pig farm (Eastern Slovakia). The etiology and pathogenesis of haemorrhagic bowel syndrome is not clearly defined within the scientific community. For this reason, clinical examination and sampling from 90 kg finisher pigs was done. Samples of blood, faeces, and rectal swabs were taken for haematological, serological, bacteriological, virological, and parasitological examination. Necropsy and sampling was also conducted on the carcasses of 90 kg finisher pigs that died peracutely during the investigation period. Three weeks later, during slaughter of the same group of pigs, goal-directed investigation and sampling from the gastrointestinal system for histological examination was performed. Results show the presence of bloody diarrhoea caused by L. intracellularis, C. perfringens typ A and haemolytic E. coli. Inflammation and loss of blood led to moderate normochromic (haemoglobin 12.85±0.95 g.dl-1) normocytic anaemia (erythrocytes 3.38±0.17 T.l-1), hydremia (haematocrit 0.17±0.01 l.l-1) and mild leukocytosis (18.7±4.68 G.l-1). Diagnostic necropsy confirmed the picture of “haemorrhagic bowel syndrome„ caused by infection and subsequent enterotoxemia without presence of gastric or intestinal displacement. Slaughter examination showed picture of proliferative ileitis typical for L. intracellularis. On the basis of our examinations, a major role in haemorrhagic bowel syndrome played infectious agents such as L. intracellularis, C. perfringens typ A and haemolytic E. coli. Negative findings of salmonellosis, dysentery, feed mycotoxins, intestinal parasites, and pollution of drinking water exclude these factors from the etiology of haemorrhagic bowel syndrome.

The aim of our experiment was to study how synbiotics are able to deal with the problems of post-weaning piglets. Lactobacillus plantarum - BiocenolTM LP96 (CCM 7512), Lactobacillus fermentum - BiocenolTM LF99 (CCM 7514) and flaxseed (rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) were administered to 36 conventional piglets from a problematic breed with confirmed presence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Coronavirus. The experimental piglets were supplied with probiotic cheeses and crushed flax-seed in the period starting 10 days before weaning and lasting up to 14 days post-weaning. Piglets in the control group were supplied only control cheese. The impact of such additives on the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; spectroscopic and electrophoretic assay), alteration of immunity (index of metabolic activity), jejunum histology (light microscopy), and health of conventional piglets from a problematic breed (monitoring of hematology, consistency and moisture of feces and body temperature) were examined. We found significant decrease in LDH leakage in the blood serum and tissue extracts, indicating better cell membrane integrity in the individual organs of animals. Probiotics and flaxseed applied together seem to be a good source of nutrients to improve the immune status and the integrity of jejunum mucosa during infection. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study investigated morphological changes in enterocytes of adult Japanese quails that were given cadmium (CdCl2) perorally and individually by tube, dissolved in water at a dose of 0.24 mg Cd per animal per day, for 57 and 118 days. The aim of our study was to observe chronic effects of cadmium on the structure of duodenal epithelium by means of light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). On day 57, following peroral administration of cadmium, necrotizing enterocytes were found in the apical part of intestinal villi and their occurrence was only sporadic. Particularly on day 118 following cadmium administration, we were able to observe clusters of 2-3 necrotizing cells in the apical part of intestinal villi. However, the structure and ultrastructure of goblet cells was normal. The most notable finding in ultrastructure of all enterocytes of treated animals was the damage to cell organelles. Mitochondria and cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum were more or less damaged and the cytoplasm contained flocculent material, particularly in the basal part of enterocytes. Some enterocytes exhibited signs of necrosis, shrivelled nucleus and damaged organelles within the markedly electrondense cytoplasm. Microvilli on the apical surface of these enterocytes were damaged and disintegrated. Junctions between cells of the intestinal epithelium were disturbed, and a present of intracellular plaques associated with the adhering and occluding junctions was observed. Cadmium caused the formation of gaps within the specialized junctional complexes, and injury to enterocytes results in the breakdown of the intercellular attachments and the sloughing of the injured cells into the intestinal lumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observed the effect of cadmium (Cd group) and cadmium+zinc (Cd/Zn group) in the liver of turkeys after a 71-day exposure. The experimental birds were divided to three groups; control group (Control), group exposed to cadmium (group Cd) as CdCl2 (aqueous solution, 0.5 mg/kg feed); and group Cd/Zn exposed to the same dose of cadmium as Cd group plus zinc as ZnSO4 (aqueous solution, 90 mg/kg feed). Light and electron microscopy revealed pronounced changes in the liver of turkeys from the Cd group, such as hyperaemia, dilatation of sinusoids and accumulation of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, heterophils, and lymphocytes in sinusoids. Necrotizing hepatocytes were observed sporadically. The ultrastructural changes included swollen mitochondria with injured cristae, dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and damaged intercellular contacts between hepatocytes. In the Cd/Zn group, Zn was not able to completely protect the liver, but the changes were less pronounced. The specific activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly increased in the Cd group. Glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased in all experimental groups. In the Cd/Zn group, zinc co-administration had a protective effect on the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Exposure of turkeys to cadmium did not affect the content of TBARS in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In utero development of organs is easily influenced by many environmental factors. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of microwave radiation (MR) at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a specific absorption rate of 1.73 W/kg on intrauterine development of testis. Pregnant albino rats were exposed to whole-body MR for 2 hours per day throughout the pregnancy. Male offspring (n=12, age 35 days) were not exposed to MR after birth. The study revealed that MR applied in utero induced apparent structural changes in the testes, such as irregular shape of seminiferous tubules, significant decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (p<0.05) and in the height of the germinal epithelium (p<0.01), disorganisation of germ cells, desquamations of immature germ cells, formation of giant multinucleated cells, and significant (p<0.01) expansion of the interstitium. At the level of transmission electron microscopy, there were observed basement membrane irregularities in seminiferous tubules, vacuolation of the cytoplasm and adversely affected organelles in Sertoli cells, germ cells, Leydig cells, peritubular and endothelial cells. The tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells were often incomplete, and necrotizing germ cells were more numerous in experimental animals compared to controls. Enhanced necrotizations of germ cells proved by a Fluoro Jade C method, and declined germ cells proliferation confirmed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen analysis, were detected in MR exposed animals. Our results revealed that the prenatal exposure to MR had an adverse effect on the postnatal testicular development in rats.

An ever-increasing use of wireless devices over the last decades has forced scientists to clarify their impact on living systems. Since prenatal development is highly sensitive to numerous noxious agents, including radiation, we focused on the assessment of potential adverse effects of microwave radiation (MR) on testicular development. Pregnant Wistar albino rats (3 months old, weighing 282±8 g) were exposed to pulsed MR at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, mean power density of 2.8 mW/cm², and a specific absorption rate of 1.82 W/kg for 2 hours/day throughout pregnancy. Male offspring were no longer exposed to MR following birth. Samples of biological material were collected after reaching adulthood (75 days). In utero MR exposure caused degenerative changes in the testicular parenchyma of adult rats. The shape of the seminiferous tubules was irregular, germ cells were degenerated and often desquamated. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules and the height of the germinal epithelium were significantly decreased (both at ∗∗p<0.01), while the interstitial space was significantly increased (∗∗p<0.01) when compared to the controls. In the group of rats prenatally exposed to MR, the somatic and germ cells were rich in vacuoles and their organelles were often altered. Necrotizing cells were more frequent and empty spaces between Sertoli cells and germ cells were observed. The Leydig cells contained more lipid droplets. An increased Fluoro Jade - C and superoxide dismutase 2 positivity was detected in the rats exposed to MR. Our results confirmed adverse effects of MR on testicular development.

Background: Nowadays, mobile devices that emit non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) are predominantly used by juveniles and pubescents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of whole body pulsed EMR on the juvenile Wistar albino rat testis at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and mean power density of 2.8 mW/cm²., Methods: The investigated animals (n=24) were divided into two control and two EMR groups (5 and 6 week old rats; 6 rats per group). Both EMR groups were irradiated continually for 3 weeks (2h/day) from postnatal days 14 and 21, respectively., Results: EMR caused an irregular shape of seminiferous tubules with desquamated immature germ cells in the lumen, a large number of empty spaces along the seminiferous epithelium and dilated and congested blood vessels in the interstitial tissue of the testis. The cytoplasm of Sertoli cells showed strong vacuolization and damaged organelles, with the cytoplasm full of different heterophagic and lipid vacuoles or the cytoplasm of spermatocytes with swollen mitochondria in both irradiated groups. A significant increase in the total tubular area of seminiferous tubules was observed in both EMR groups compared with controls (P<0.001). A significant increase in the TUNEL-positive apoptotic nuclei (P<0.01) was accompanied by a significant rise in both Cu-Zn-SOD (P<0.01) and Mn-SOD (P<0.001) positive cells in the 6 week old experimental rats compared to control animals., Conclusion: Our results confirmed a harmful effect of non-ionizing radiation on the structure and ultrastructure of the juvenile rat testis.