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Lithium (Li) is a mood-stabilizing drug. Although one of the potential mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of lithium is related to its antioxidative effect, its mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Herein we aimed to investigate the impact of varied dosages of long-term lithium therapy on oxidative stress parameters in the brains of healthy rats, and on anxiety-like behaviors, and whether any changes in behavior can be attributed to modifications in oxidative stress levels within the brain. Thirty-two adult Wistar albino male rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. While the control (C) group was fed with a standard diet, low Li (1.4 g/kg/diet), moderate Li (1.8 g/kg/diet), and high Li (2.2 g/kg/diet) groups were fed with lithium bicarbonate (Li2CO3) for 30 days. Malondialdehyde increased, while superoxide dismutase and catalase levels decreased in the brains of the high Li group animals. In addition, anxiety-like behaviors of animals increased in the high Li group considering fewer entries to and less time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze test. Our findings underscore the potential adverse effects of prolonged lithium treatment, especially at doses approaching the upper therapeutic range. The induction of toxicity, manifested through heightened oxidative stress, appears to be a key mechanism contributing to the observed increase in anxiety-like behaviors. Consequently, caution is warranted when considering extended lithium therapy at higher doses, emphasizing the need for further research to delineate the precise mechanisms underlying these effects and to inform safer therapeutic practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominance rank within a group can affect the stress level of an animal. However, there is no consensus on whether the dominant or subordinate animals are physiologically more stressed. It was aimed herein to determine the effect of social rank on the stress level and expression of some behaviors of adult Hemsin, Chios, and Karakul rams. According to their dominance index (DI) values, the rams were classified as low-ranked (DI < 0.33; n = 13), medium-ranked (DI: 0.33-0.66; n = 13), and high-ranked (DI > 0.66; n = 13) individuals. The low-ranked rams had lower body weight, body length, chest depth, chest circumference, cannon bone circumference, and tail width than the medium-and high-ranked rams. The high-ranked rams tended to exhibit more rumination than the low- and medium-ranked rams (P = 0.066). The rank group had no influence on the frequency of vocalization, butting other animals, and itching behaviors. The low-ranked rams had lower hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell counts than the medium-and high-ranked rams. The rank group had no influence on the white blood cell count, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, and cortisol level. In conclusion, under the conditions of the current study, the welfare of the low-ranked rams was not adversely affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the immune system were investigated in laying hens. A total of 48 1-day-old chickens were used, half of the chickens were reared in conventional cages (RCC) and the rest in enriched cages (REC). Transport stress was applied in the 17th week. Liver weight decreased, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weights, white blood cell count, CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions increased due to the transport. Environmental enrichment significantly increased antibody production and tended to increase monocyte percentage and CD8+ cell proportion. The effect of transport on, heterophil (H) and lymphocyte (L) percentages was not significant in RCC chickens. While heterophil percentage and H:L ratio increased, lymphocyte percentage decreased in REC chickens subjected to transport. Transport stress increased heterophil functions both in REC and RCC chickens, but the increase was higher in REC hens than in RCC hens. In conclusion, although environmental enrichment did not neutralize the effect of transport on lymphoid organs, it activated the non-specific immune system, cellular and the humoral branches of the specific immune system by increasing heterophil functions, CD8+ cells and antibody production, respectively. Therefore, environmental enrichment suggested for improving animal welfare may also be beneficial to improve the immune system of birds exposed to stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experimental study it was aimed to investigate the effects of chronic continuous DADLE administration on erythrogram and the biochemical profile (ALP, ALT, AST, LDH, glucose, urea, creatinine, albumin, total protein). The study was carried on 48 adult male Wistar rats. DADLE was administered via osmotic mini-pumps, implanted subcutaneously. After the 28-day treatment, plasma glucose levels increased and urea levels decreased significantly in experimental group animals compared to the control group. Differences between the groups were not found to be statistically significant with respect to the other investigated parameters. So we conclude that chronic continuous administration of DADLE via osmotic mini-pumps did not exert any detrimental effect on erythrogram and the biochemical profile in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]