Search

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]

Fur-chewing is a common problem in chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). It may affect the welfare of animals due to heat loss, thereby possibly impacting food and water intake to maintain body temperature. In this context, infrared thermography seems to be a suitable method of measuring heat emissions from the surface of objects. Sexually mature male domestic chinchillas were divided into two groups: "non-fur chewers", exhibiting normal behaviour (n = 25), and "fur chewers" displaying fur-chewing behaviour (n = 23). Food and water intake (mean ± SD) measured in the control animals amounted to 20.7 ± 4.52 g and 15.9 ± 3.45 mL, while in fur-chewing chinchillas were 25% and 33% higher, respectively. Metabolic energy intake, were calculated 2.2 and 2.8 W for the control and fur-chewing animals, respectively. Heat flux through chewed areas was 6.06 mW cm-2, which is 2.8 times higher than through undamaged chinchilla fur. To sum up, thermal imagingexplicitly shows that fur-chewing causes increased heat loss. Disturbances in the maintenance of thermal homeostasis may be an additional factor that reduces the welfare of these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of herbal supplementation on rabbits' health and production parameters. In experiment with herbal food additives, at 90 days of age animals fed with phytogenic additives (oregano, garlic and rosemary) had higher body weight compared to the group fed with coccidiostat. In experiment with herbal water additives (garlic extract or oregano) the phytobiotic supplementation had no effect on weight gains of animals. The highest body weight on slaughter day was obtained by rabbits drank water with garlic extract. Parasitological tests performed at 91 days of age showed that lowest average number of coccidia oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) in "garlic" group (48.0 OPG) and the highest in control group (308.6 OPG). The research showed that feed with herbal supplementation is willingly eaten by rabbits, contributes to faster weight gains and has a positive effect on meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to investigate whether melatonin implant may modify the response of the antioxidant systems of raccoon dog and silver fox. Animals of each species were divided into 2 equal groups: implanted with 12 mg of melatonin in late June and not implanted (control). During the standard fur production process in late November, samples of tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, and heart) were collected and specific activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), retinol, α-tocopherol (TCP), and total tissue protein, were determined in tissue samples. Activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT as well as concentrations of GSH and TCP were considerably higher in organs of raccoon dogs in comparison with silver foxes at the end of autumn fattening. Melatonin implants had no significant effect on the fox antioxidant system in contrast to the raccoon dog. The SOD activity in the liver, kidney, and heart of melatonin-treated raccoon dog considerably decreased, by 25% to 70%. The CAT activity was reduced in the kidney and heart, but it increased in the liver and spleen. Simultaneously, concentrations of GSH in the examined organs of the raccoon dog showed an inverse relationship with CAT activity. In summary, raccoon dogs and silver foxes differ not only in the function of the antioxidant system but also in the response of this system to exogenous melatonin. The rapid fattening evokes oxidative stress, which stimulates the activity of the antioxidant system in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of two commercial and two laboratory oriented extenders on survival rate and DNA integrity of chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) sperm was determined during liquid storage. Semen was collected using an electroejaculator from 6 adult male chinchillas. Ejaculates (n = 16) were diluted with extenders to obtain a concentration of 40 x 10 (3) sperm/5 μl. After dilution the semen samples were stored at 4"C. The percent motility, progressive motility, and morphology were assessed conventionally, whereas DNA integrity was evaluated by Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (comet) assay at 0 (just after dilution), 24, 48 and 72 h. Conventional assessment of sperm quality showed that commercial extenders are characterized by the lowest sperm survival parameters out of the investigated extenders. In commercial extenders spermatozoa lost their capacity for progressive motility compared to laboratory extenders. After 24 h storage, from 21.67% to 30% of motile sperms were observed in commercial extender whereas total sperm motility was 63.33% (41.67% with progressive motility) in samples in which stallion semen extender was used. After 72 h storage, 10% of sperm were motile in stallion semen extender while no sperm movement was observed in tubes containing the commercial extender. Furthermore, a lower percentage of damaged spermatozoa in laboratory oriented extenders was demonstrated. It was also stated that along with the extended time of semen storage at 4 degrees C, commercial extenders lost their protective action. An analysis of DNA content in the heads of sperm cells and tail moment (TM) showed that the most useful extender for liquid preservation of chinchilla semen was the extender for stallions.