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The presence of A. crassus larvae in herring, stickleback, perch, ruffe, pike-perch, bream and roach regurgitated by cormorants from a large breeding colony at Katy Rybackie in Vistula Lagoon, Poland, was investigated. Larvae of nematode were detected only in ruffe, the dominant species in t h e diet of the cormorant (58 % of the weight of fish consumed). Mean intensity of infection was 1.57 larva per infected host (max. 5.0) and mean abundance was 0.52 larva per examined ruffe. On the basis of the infection rate (33.3 % ) , it was estimated that cormorants eliminated 150 tons of infected ruffe yearly.

Abstract Knowledge about paternal-effect-genes (PEGs) (genes whose expression in the progeny is influenced by paternal factors present in the sperm) in fish is very limited. To explore this issue, we used milt cryopreservation as a specific challenge test for sperm cells, thus enabling selection amidst cryo-sensitivity. We created two groups of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) as a model – eggs fertilized either with fresh (Fresh group) or cryopreserved (Cryo group) milt from the same male followed by phenotypic-transcriptomic examination of consequences of cryopreservation in obtained progeny (at larval stages). Most of the phenotypical observations were similar in both groups, except the final weight which was higher in the Cryo group. Milt cryopreservation appeared to act as a "positive selection" factor, upregulating most PEGs in the Cryo group. Transcriptomic profile of freshly hatched larvae sourced genes involved in the development of visual perception and we identified them as PEGs. Consequently, larvae from the Cryo group exhibited enhanced eyesight, potentially contributing to more efficient foraging and weight gain compared to the Fresh group. This study unveils, for the first time, the significant influence of the paternal genome on the development of the visual system in fish, highlighting pde6g, opn1lw1, and rbp4l as novel PEGs.

Abstract Ovarian cysts contribute to reduced reproductive performance in pigs. Unfortunately, the mechanism of lutein cysts formation remains unknown. Here, we compared the endocrine and molecular milieus of intact, healthy preovulatory follicles (PF), gonadotropin (eCG/hCG)-induced healthy and atretic-like PF, as well as gonadotropin-provoked and spontaneous ovarian cysts in gilts. Several endocrine and molecular indicators and microRNA were compared in walls of PF and cysts. Intact and healthy PF, showed high estradiol/androstendione and low progesterone levels associated with CYP17A1, HSD17B1, and CYP19A1 elevation and reduced StAR/HSD3B1 protein expression. In contrast, low estradiol/androstendione and high progesterone concentrations, accompanied by decreased CYP17A1, HSD17B1, CYP19A1 and increased HSD3B1 protein abundance, appeared in atretic-like PF, gonadotropin-induced and spontaneous cysts. High progesterone receptor (PGR) protein abundance was maintained in intact and healthy PF, while it dropped in atretic-like PF, gonadotropins-induced and spontaneous cysts. The atretic PF showed high level of TNFα compared to healthy PF. In conclusion, follicular lutein cysts could be recruited from atretic-like PF with lost estrogenic milieu and inability to ovulate. Ovulatory cascade was presumably disrupted by a low PGR and high TNFα levels associated with earlier luteinization of follicular walls. These results suggest a novel mechanism of lutein ovarian cysts development in pigs and, perhaps, other species.

Mercury belongs among the highly hazardous substances present in the environment and represents a great health risk for many animals including predatory and piscivorous birds. The aim of this study was to assess the total mercury content in the main detoxifying organs (liver and kidney) and in the muscles of adult great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) caught at two localities (the Krogulna ponds and the Nysa Kłodzka River) in southern Poland. The aim was to compare the locality with the iron ore mining history (the Krogulna ponds) with a site without such load (the Nysa Kłodzka River). The total mercury content in the great cormorants decreases as follows: kidneys > liver > muscle in both monitored localities and significantly differs between the localities. The average mercury content varied from 0.58 ± 0.38 mg/kg (muscle) to 1.39 ± 1.42 mg/kg (kidney) in the cormorant from the Krogulna ponds and from 1.09 ± 0.40 mg/kg (muscle) to 3.12 ± 1.55 mg/kg (kidney) in the cormorant from the Nysa Kłodzka River. The accumulation of mercury does not correlate with the mining history as it was higher at the Nysa Kłodzka River, but it is probably influenced by the different fish stocks in these two localities (omnivorous fish in the Krogulna ponds versus predatory fish in the Nysa Kłodzka River).

Telomerase activity has been found in the somatic tissues of rainbow trout. The enzyme is essential for maintaining telomere length but also assures homeostasis of the fish organs, playing an important role during tissue regeneration. The unique morphological and physiological characteristics of triploid rainbow trout, when compared to diploid specimens, make them a promising model for studies concerning telomerase activity. Thus, in this study, we examined the expression of the Tert gene in various organs of subadult and adult diploid and triploid rainbow trout females. Upregulated Tert mRNA transcription was observed in all the examined somatic tissues sampled from the triploid fish when compared to diploid individuals. Contrastingly, Tert expression in the ovaries was significantly decreased in the triploid specimens. Within the diploids, the highest expression of Tert was observed in the liver and in the ovaries of the subadult individuals. In the triploids, Tert expression was increased in the somatic tissues, while the ovaries exhibited lower activity of telomerase compared to other organs and decreased compared to the ovaries in the diploids. The ovaries of triploid individuals were underdeveloped, consisting of only a few oocytes. The lack of germ cells, which are usually characterized by high Tert expression, might be responsible for the decrease in telomerase activity in the triploid ovaries. The increase in Tert expression in triploid somatic tissues suggests that they require higher telomerase activity to cope with environmental stress and maintain internal homeostasis.

Abstract Different strategies are used to meet optimal reproductive performance or manage reproductive health. Although exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (A) are commonly used to trigger ovulation in estrous cycle synchronization, little is known about their effect on the ovarian follicle. Here, we explored whether hCG- and GnRH-A-induced native luteinizing hormone (LH) can affect the endocrine and molecular milieus of ovarian preovulatory follicles in pigs at different stages of sexual development. We collected ovaries 30 h after hCG/GnRH-A administration from altrenogest and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (eCG)-primed prepubertal and sexually mature gilts. Several endocrine and molecular alternations were indicated, including broad hormonal trigger-induced changes in follicular fluid steroid hormones and prostaglandin levels. However, sexual maturity affected only estradiol levels. Trigger- and/or maturity-dependent changes in the abundance of hormone receptors (FSHR and LHCGR) and proteins associated with lipid metabolism and steroidogenesis (e.g., STAR, HSD3B1, and CYP11A1), prostaglandin synthesis (PTGS2 and PTGFS), extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP1 and TIMP1), protein folding (HSPs), molecular transport (TF), and cell function and survival (e.g., VIM) were observed. These data revealed different endocrine properties of exogenous and endogenous gonadotropins, with a potent progestational/androgenic role of hCG and estrogenic/pro-developmental function of LH.

The aim of the study was to examine the daily and seasonal dynamics of changes in fish communities in two environmentally different littoral zones of the Włocławek Reservoir (central Poland), i.e., the floodplain (limnic Dobiegniewo site) and lotic area (Murzynowo site). During seasonal catches using trawl nets, in the daily cycle (at 00.00, 06.00, 12.00, and 18.00 hours), the presence of 18 fish species representing 4 families (Cyprinidae, Percidae, Gasterosteidae, Gobiidae) was confirmed. In both localities, the domination of native taxa, such as roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) and Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis L., in Dobiegniewo (26.6 and 26.6%, respectively) and Murzynowo (13.6 and 22.7%, respectively) of all caught specimens was noted. The quantitative share of three alien invasive gobies, racer goby Neogobius gymnotrachelus (Kessler, 1857), monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814), and western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837), varied in the range between 2.7 and 35.3% in samples throughout the season. The results indicate the significant role of gobies in the structure of the sublittoral fish communities of Włocławek Reservoir and the necessity of expansion process studies, as well as the observation of the interactions with native fish species in invaded areas.

During orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the patients’ body remains deprived of this organ for some time, which could cause critical changes in the levels of various metabolites in the circulation, including fatty acids. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether the liver transplantation procedure leads to significant changes in the FA profile in serum lipids after the anhepatic phase. Our gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that after transplantation, serum levels of myristic and palmitic acids significantly decreased, whereas serum levels of very long-chain FAs containing 20 or more carbons in their chains were increased. These results indicate that the anhepatic phase during liver transplantation produces significant changes in serum fatty acid levels, and emphasizes the role of the liver in the metabolism of very long-chain fatty acids.

The effects of three commercial diets (AF PE and PP) that differed in nutritional value on growth, cannibalism and survival in Eurasian perch post-larvae were performed. Of the feeds used, the PE feed contained a lower level of crude protein and a higher level of crude fat with a higher level of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and a lower level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than the AF and PP feeds. Additionally, chemical composition, including the fatty acid (FAs) content of perch body, liver histology and vertebral column anomalies relative to tested diets were analysed. It was shown that the two-month perch fed by diet with the highest fat content and the lowest protein content (PE) achieved significantly higher weight and body length. During the experiment, a relatively higher survival was obtained in perch groups fed with PE and PP feeds. Significantly lower type II intra-cohort cannibalism in perch fed with two diets (PE and PP) was observed, which probably resulted from better assimilation and, consequently, a sense of greater satiety in fish (PE diet) and faster perception by perch of its presence in the experimental system (PP diet). Moreover, the increase in type II cannibalism in perch fed with the AF diet could be due to the poorer palatability of this feed (understood in terms of its availability). The results of our study confirmed the hypothesis that the level of fat in the body of fish depended on the level of crude fat from feed used; however, it was also found that the fatty acid composition of the perch body was irrespective of the content of FAs in the diet used. Our data suggest that differences in the level of proximate and FAs compositions in tested commercial diets do not affect the histological structure of the liver and the prevalence of skeletal malformation in Eurasian perch post-larvae.

Les hépatites non alphabétiques (Epstein Barr virus -EBV-, Cytomégalovirus -CMV-, Herpes simplex virus -HSV-, Varicelle zona virus -VZV-...) peuvent être un mode de révélation de plusieurs hépatopathies chroniques sous-jacentes dont l´hépatite auto-immune (HAI). Nous rapportons le cas particulier d´une hépatite aigue à EBV révélant une hépatite auto-immune type I confirmée à la ponction biopsie hépatique, chez une patiente de 29 ans suivie pour une néoplasie mammaire. Patiente âgée de 29 ans, suivie pour un carcinome mammaire prévu pour radio-chimiothérapie, hospitalisée au service pour une hépatite aigue grave (ictère fébrile, hyper-transaminasémie avec ASAT à 47 la normale et ALAT à 23 la normale et un taux de prothrombine à 25%). Les hépatites virales A, B, C et E étaient négatives et les veines sus-hépatiques étaient libres au Doppler. Une hépatite non alphabétique était suspectée devant l´ictère fébrile et le bilan avait révélé une infection à EBV récente retenue devant des Ac anti-VCA type IgM/G et Ac anti-EBNA type IgG positifs. La patiente était traitée par l´acyclovir pendant 10 jours. L´évolution était marquée par l´apparition d´une ascite et le diagnostic d´une hépatite auto-immune type était retenue consécutivement sur des arguments biologiques (un pic gamma à l´électrophorèse des protéines sériques et des anticorps anti-nucléaires positifs) et histologiques. Une rémission clinico-biologique était obtenue sous corticothérapie. Les infections à EBV doivent être recherchées devant tout tableau d´hépatite aigue fébrile survenant sur un terrain d´immunodépression. Les praticiens devront également être alarmés à une cytolyse persistante après l´épisode infectieux afin de guetter un déclenchement d´une éventuelle HAI notamment chez le sexe féminin, en cas de contexte d´auto-immunité et devant la négativité des sérologies infectieuses virales alphabétiques.

Les tumeurs de Krukenberg sont des tumeurs malignes rares de l'ovaire, souvent bilatérales et secondaires à un cancer volontiers gastrique, muco-sécrétant dans 90% des cas. Nous avions colligé sur une période de 17ans, entre janvier 2002 et janvier 2019, 5 cas de tumeurs de Krukenberg pris en charge dans le Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie d'IBN ROCHD de Casablanca. L'objectif de cette étude rétrospective et descriptive était de mettre le point sur ce type de néoplasie au pronostic sombre afin d'améliorer les performances diagnostiques et thérapeutiques. L'âge moyen de nos patientes était de 42ans avec des extrêmes entre 25ans et 61ans. L'ascite était la présentation dominante, rapportée dans 80% des cas. Le bilan radiologique avait mis en évidence la tumeur ovarienne de taille d'écho-structure variables, qui était unilatérale dans 60% des cas. La fibroscopie oeso-gastroduodénale avait retrouvé un processus gastrique chez 4 patientes. L'exploration chirurgicale et l'étude immuno-histochimique des prélèvements biopsiques avaient redressé le diagnostic vers un cancer du colon transverse avec une extension locorégionale massive et infiltration gastrique dans un des 4 cas. Et la laparotomie exploratrice du cinquième cas avait retrouvé une néoplasie colique métastatique. La chirurgie radicale n'était possible que chez 2 patientes, dans les 2 autres cas, l'état local avancé n'avait permis que la réalisation des biopsies. Et chez une patiente, l'état général profondément altéré et le haut risque anesthésique ont rendu tout geste chirurgical inutile. Uniquement deux patientes avaient reçu une chimiothérapie postopératoire. L'évolution était fatale dans 100% des cas. Ce travail reconfirme le pronostic catastrophique de la tumeur de Krukenberg vue son évolution souvent insidieuse amenant à un diagnostic tardif et l'incompréhension claire de son étiopathogénie. Ainsi déduisons-nous que l'amélioration des chances de survie repose sur l'exploration systématique des ovaires devant toute néoplasie digestive. Certains auteurs proposent même une ovariectomie prophylactique chez les femmes âgées de plus de 40 ans qui ont été opérées pour une tumeur digestive.

L'ingestion du corps étranger est une situation fréquente en gastro-entérologie, cependant la localisation iléo-caecale reste très rare. L'objectif de ce travail était de rapporter le cas exceptionnel d'un corps étranger iléo-caecal révélé par des syndromes sub-occlusifs. Il s'agit d'un patient âgé de 22 ans sans antécédents pathologiques notables, qui s'est présenté avec un syndrome de Koening évoluant dans un contexte d'altération de l'état général. Le diagnostic d'un épaississement iléo-caecal inflammatoire réactionnel à un corps étranger est posé grâce à l'étude anatomo-pathologique d'une pièce opératoire de résection iléo-caecale après que l'endoscopie, l'histologie des biopsies et l'imagerie scannographique étaient non contributives. En l'absence d'orientation anamnestique, la localisation iléo-caecale d'un corps étranger pose un réel problème de diagnostic différentiel avec les pathologies inflammatoires, infectieuses et tumorales du carrefour iléo-caecal. Elle peut être révélée par des complications à type d'occlusion ou de perforation où l'imagerie tient une place primordiale. L'endoscopie joue toujours un rôle diagnostique et thérapeutique essentiel dans la prise en charge des corps étrangers ingérés limitant ainsi la morbidité chirurgicale quoique celle-ci demeure parfois incontournable et l'étude anatomo-pathologique met en évidence un granulome à corps étranger constitué. Le corps étranger iléo-caecal est une situation rarement rapportée et doit dorénavant être considéré devant toute symptomatologie du carrefour iléo-caecal afin d'éviter au patient les effets secondaires et les complications des traitements lourds.

Le déficit immunitaire commun variable (DICV) est une pathologie rare, il s'agit d'un déficit constitutionnel de l'immunité humorale caractérisé par des infections bactériennes à répétition, et par une fréquence accrue de tumeurs, de maladies auto-immunes ou granulomateuses. Les manifestations gastro-intestinales sont très variables et parfois révélatrices dun déficit immunitaire commun variable. Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient âgé de 31 ans, ayant comme antécédent des infections respiratoires à répétition depuis le bas âge, compliquées d'une dilatation des bronches, qui présente depuis 3 ans une diarrhée glaireuse récurrente, chez qui l'ensemble du bilan étiologique est en faveur d'un DICV avec une manifestation auto-immune (vitiligo). Le traitement a consisté en une perfusion mensuelle d'immunoglobulines (Ig) avec une bonne évolution. Le recul actuel est de deux ans.

Le trichobézoard est une affection rare, le plus souvent asymptomatique, mais de diagnostic facile par la fibroscopie ésogastroduodénale. Le traitement est le plus souvent chirurgical. On rapporte une observation d'un trichobézoard gastrique chez une fillette de 16 ans, qui a été extrait par gastrotomie, sans complications. Une prise en charge psychiatrique a été faite.

The aim of this study was to describe possible changes in protease and anti-protease activity in the seminal plasma of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) during the spawning time. No significant difference in proteolytic activity was observed between the beginning and the late period of the spawning season in perch. Anti-protease activity significantly increased during the sampling time. Electrophoretic profiles of gelatinolytic activity in the seminal plasma of perch were characterized by four molecular forms, which depend on the presence of Ca2+ during incubation. We also found two forms of caseinolytic activity with low molecular weights, which were independent of calcium ions. However, both activities were fully stopped by the chelator of calcium ions (EDTA). In this study, non-typical profiles of gelatinolytic acti-vity were also observed. Profiles of protease activities in the perch seminal plasma are constant during the reproduction season indicating that the regulation of protease activity in seminal plasma occurs via protease inhibitors which are abundant in this fluid. Results concerning electrophoresis revealed at least seven forms of anti-proteases in the seminal plasma of perch. Concluded, anti-proteases comprise a high percentage of all proteins in the seminal plasma of perch, while the increase at the end of spawning season is probably protecting spermatozoa during the spawning time in perch testes.

We report a new case of Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma admitted in our hospital and revealed in 53 years man by epigastric pain and flush syndrom. A liver biopsy with immunohistochemical study confirmed the original location of a neuroendocrine carcinoma. After 12 cures of Chemotherapy and a follow up of 12 months, the patient is still in complete remission.

A qualitative assessment of the Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis semen describing the basic parameters of seminal plasma was completed. The histological methods used in this study showed changes in perch gonads during a spawning and post-spawning period. At the late period of the spawning season, the structure of testes was clearly loosened and spermatozoa did not fill uniformly all the ampullae of the testes, leaving free spaces at their banks and no spermatids were observed. The results confirmed that there was an additional period after spawning in the annual reproductive cycle of the male Eurasian perch. In both years of investigations (2000-2001), an essential decline in sperm motility at the late period of the spawning season was observed, from more than 85% to 56% in 2000. The sperm motility was not influenced by sperm concentrations because throughout the spawning time no changes in the sperm concentration were observed, 32.4 and 32.6 mld/ml at beginning and at the late period of spawning period, respectively. In contrast to sperm concentrations, protein concentrations in seminal plasma increased in the late period of spawning season, from 3.95 to 5.16 g/l in 2001. This study confirmed that protein concentrations in the seminal plasma of most fish are much lower than in the other vertebrates. Among the fish examined, perch is characterized by one of the highest values of protein concentrations in plasma. Our observations confirmed that a high water temperature influenced anatomical and functional parameters of the reproductive system in male perch.