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The study aimed to determine the content of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in samples of sheep milk, cheese, and whey (36 samples in total) collected from a farm in an environmentally burdened area due to the long-term mining and industrial activity in Slovakia as well as to determine the possible risk of consumption via health risk assessment calculations. Consumption of 120 g of milk, 500 g of milk, 20 g of cheese, and 100 g of cheese were used in calculations for children and adults, respectively. According to the results, concentrations of four elements are controversial. Lead concentrations in all types of samples exceeded the maximum permissible lead limit in milk set by European Union legislation. The content of Se and As is problematic for children’s consumption, and the target hazard quotient for As and Al is higher than one (considered potentially not safe) in all scenarios. According to the target system approach, lead concentrations in milk and cheese could adversely influence the nervous system and kidneys of adults’ and children’s developmental and reproductive systems. Considering the worst-case scenario, consuming sheep milk and cheese from the monitored areas could represent a risk and be potentially harmful to human health, mainly for children. However, further monitoring of the levels of elements and concentrations in environmentally burdened areas and more robust data on consumption are needed.

Milk and dairy products are an important part of the human diet for numerous reasons. Goat milk is higher in the content of elements such as K and Ca. Nowadays, consumption of goat milk and goat dairy products increases because of better digestion and therapeutic value. However, goat milk can contain heavy metals and trace elements as well which can harm human health. The content of 22 elements in sixty-nine samples of goat milk, whey, three types of cheese, and yogurt from the ecological farm in region Orava and conventional farm in region Stredné Považie in Slovakia was measured in this study. The highest concentration of four elements Ca, K, Mg, and Na in samples of goat products was found. In our study, significant statistical differences (P < 0.05) were found only in levels of K, Ca, Li and Na when comparing milk samples from organic and conventional farm. Concentrations of K (1260.50 mg/kg), Li (0.02 mg/kg) and Na (293.46 mg/kg) were higher in samples from ecological farm, while concentration of Ca (1344.65 mg/kg) was higher in samples from conventional farm. Toxic elements were present in trace amounts or under the limit of detection. The consumption of goat milk and goat dairy products from monitored farms can be considered as safe and beneficial for human health regardless of the way of farming. According to the highest level of strontium in hard ripening cheese, frequent regular consumption should be considered for children as a preventive measure for development of bone health.

The work deals with the histological and morphometric description of regressive changes in the mammary glands of swine after lactation. Samples of mammary glands of thoracic, abdominal and pubic udders were taken soon after they were killed. Samples were processed by histological and histochemical methods and evaluated by subjective and quantitative morphometrical methods. It was found that post-lactation increases the relative volume of connective stroma up to 75.10 ± 14.76 % of collagen in the tissue falls to 74.13 ± 14.87 % and the loose connective tissue, which was part of glandular parenchyma lobules accounts for only 0.97 ± 2.13%. Adipose tissue is 18.93 ± 14.93% of the udders volume.. Relative of glandular parenchyma fell to 5.97 ± 4.95% and mainly consists of a interlobular and lobar ducts and atrophic alveoli. Epithelium is generally in the mammary glands 4.22 ± 3.56% and lumen 1.75 ±1.81%. 1 cm3 of tissue in the mammary glands located 190745.52 tubuloalveolar structures. Alveoli reach an average size of 36.80 ± 11.57 µm. It was found relative volume of the walls (epithelium) and cavities (lumen) of each alveolus, the amount of epithelial cells and the nucleocytoplasmic ratio. The individual building components mammary glands were calculated correlation relations.

The study considers the effect of white and monochromatic light on the hatching of the hybrid ROSS 208 chickens. The chicken embryos were most sensitive to white light, reaching the hatching time of 499.80±2.65 hours, the hatchability of 95.08±2.43 %, and an average weight of the hatched chickens 47.17±3.08 g. Of the monochromatic lights, the chicken embryos were most sensitive to yellow light with the hatching time of 501.16±1.84 hours, the hatchability of 94.97±1.92% and average weight of hatched chicken 45.88±2.32g. The least reaction of chicken was observed with blue light, with the hatching time of 506.74±1.57 hours, hatchability 92.11±2.18 % and average weight of hatched chicken 42.13±2.07 g. The influence of blue light brings the same effects as we observed in the case of hatching in darkness when the hatching time reached 505.76 ± 2.15 hours, hatchability 91.62±1.62 % and an average weight of hatched chicken 41.73±1.95 g.

The aim of this study was to describe the changes in cholinesterase activity in separate doses and after co-administration of cadmium and diazinon intraperitoneally and to assess toxicity and interactions of diazinon and cadmium on the nervous system in male rats. 40 male rats were randomly divided into three experimental and one control group (10 rats in each group). Blood analyzes were performed 36 hours after an intraperitoneal administration of observed compounds. The statistical evaluation of the results showed significantly (P < 0.01) reduced activity of cholinesterase in all experimental groups. The enzyme activity decreased from the control value 3.69 μkat/L to 1.81 μkat/L (diazinon group), 1.83 μkat/L (cadmium group) and 1.35 μkat/L (cadmium+diazinon group). These results indicate that both cadmium and diazinon are potent to manifest the neurotoxic effects. Moreover, a synergistic effect of the co-administered cadmium and diazinon in the nervous system has been observed.

In this paper we described a morphometric comparison of lactating mammary glands of pigs, depending on their location. As experimental animals were used five pig breeds White Meat at the age of 24 months. Anatomical dissection and sampling of the mammary glands of thoracic, abdomen and pubic udders for histological processing and subsequent quantitative morphometric evaluation were taken after killing the animals. It was found that glandular parenchyma, stroma connective tissue and adipose tissue in the mammary glands of the thoracic, abdomen and pubic udders quantitative evenly distributed regardless of udder location. It was found that the epithelium, lumen, collagenous tissue and loose connective tissue in the mammary glands of the thoracic, abdomen and pubic udders of swine quantitative evenly distributed regardless of their location. The average size of glandular alveolar parenchyma varied from 122.46 μm ± 45.73 μm to 138.47 ± 33.16 μm, which were not found statistically significant differences of the average size of alveoli between udders. The average abundance of the alveoli in the 1 cm3 of tissue of the mammary glands was 226 933, 08 161 ± 136.27, because not all the alveoli were the same size. There was no difference in abundance of the alveoli between udders. It found the percentage of small, medium and large alveoli. Also, the relative volume of the walls (epithelium) and cavity (lumen) alveoli is balanced in all udders and unrelated to their location. Negative correlations between the abundance and size of the alveoli were found.

The aim of this study was ultrastructural study of mitochondria in epithelial secretory cells in mammary glands of rabbits during lactation and regression stages. Our results using conventional transmission electron microscopy has shown that the mitochondria are relatively changed during the various mammary gland development stages.We found that the average relative volume of mitochondria achieves 12.530±3.127% of cytoplasm volume in the stage of lactation. During regression mitochondrial relative volume decreased to 3.583±1.626% of the cytoplasm. This difference compared to lactation is statistically significant (p

The aim of this study was to find the structural changes in the testis and semen quality parameters of rat after a single intraperitoneal and repeated peroral selenium administration. Rats were killed 36 hours following the intraperitoneal administration of selenium selenite (2 mg.kg-1 b.w.; 98% purity) and after 90 days of the peroral repeated administration of selenium in drinking water (5 mg.l-1). Testis samples were evaluated by histological and morphometrical methods in light microscopy. Evaluation of semen samples were examined with CASA method. 36 hours after the selenium i.p. administration, damage of cellular associations, release of necrotised epithelial cells to tubule lumen and fibrotisation and extension of interstitium were observed. Morphometry methods have shown the reduction of seminiferous epithelium volume (P

The aim of this work was to evaluate the microscopic changes in the small intestine of rats after administration of the pollen addition in diet. Experimental groups A, B and C (10 rats each) were given the addition of pollen in concentration of 0.2%, 0.5% and 0.75%, respectively for 90 days in food. Using the quantitative morphometrical methods, statistically significant increase of intestinal villi length (p

The aim of this study was to find the distribution of nickel chloride (II) in selected rat organs after an experimental administration. Forty Wistar male rats were divided into three experimental and one control groups (10 rats each). Animals in group A were intraperitoneally dosed with NiCl2 at a single dose of 25 mg/kg b.w., in group B with 35 mg/kg b.w., and killed 48 hours after nickel (Ni) administration. Rats in group P were dosed orally with Ni (100 mg/l) in drinking water for 90 days. Ten males served as the control group (C) without Ni administration. Distribution of Ni was evaluated in kidneys, muscle (m. quadriceps femoris), liver and testis by electro thermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The significant increase in Ni concentration was found in the kidney in group A (p

The aim of the review was to provide information about the importance of iodine in human nutrition and to review milk as an important source of iodine, and also to summarize the main factors affecting iodine concentration in milk. Iodine is an essential element for the thyroid gland function and synthesis of thyroid hormones, which regulate key processes of metabolism, brain development and growth. Therefore, it is important to ensure adequate, neither deficient nor excessive, intake of this element in animal nutrition, but more importantly in the nutrition of humans. Milk and dairy products are very valuable sources of iodine. However, its concentration in milk is very variable, as it is affected by many different factors - iodine intake in feed, antinutritional factors, iodine species (forms) used for feeding, animal keeping, farm management and possibly also milk yield. Additionally, milk iodine concentration is also affected by teat dipping with iodine disinfection, and by milk processing (e.g. skimming and heat treatment). All these aforementioned factors may possibly play their role in improving human nutrition, especially the nutrition of pregnant, lactating women, and people on a low-salt diet who are the most vulnerable to insufficient iodine intake.

Animal products and meat from farm animals are consumed daily and it is very good source of animal proteins, but consumer´s information about exposure to heavy metals in meat and it´s health risk is in general low. The main goal of the present work was to determine essential and toxic elements in offal and meat of sheep from two different regions of Slovakia with different environmental load. In present study 11 elements (essential elements: calcium, zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron, copper; toxic elements: arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, nickel) have been analysed. Statistically significant differences (P

The contents of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in raw cow’s milk, feed and soil samples from three regions of Slovak Republic (SR) depending on the environmental regional classification of SR. Total 60 pool milk samples from undisturbed environment (Novoť area), moderately disturbed environment (Tulčík area), and from strongly disturbed environment (Čečejovce area) collected in April, July and September were extracted, purified by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and analyzed using the gas chromatography with electron capture detector method (GC-ECD). Thirty feed samples of total mixed ration (TMR) were collected in April and September and after the extraction and purification by GPC were analyzed using gas and liquid chromatography (GLC). Fifteen soil samples collected in April were analyzed using the GC-ECD. All samples of raw milk, feed and soil were under the limit of quantification (LOQ) from all regions and did not exceed the limits set by European Commission. There were no seasonal differences in the PCBs levels in the milk, feed and soil samples. The milk PCBs consumption from these locations has no negative impact on consumer’s health. The results indicate the decreasing trend in PCBs occurrence in the environment and food sources. Despite this positive findings, there is a constant need to monitor environmental burden of PCBs in the different regions of Slovakia where mainly food of animal origin is produced and to recognize another sources of PCBs that may impact the food chain.

The objective of this study was to measure the concentrations of eleven essential, potentially toxic and toxic elements (arsenic – As, calcium – Ca, cadmium – Cd, copper – Cu, iron – Fe, mercury – Hg, magnesium – Mg, nickel – Ni, lead – Pb, selenium – Se, zinc- Zn) in raw cow’s milk (spring, summer, and autumn season), feed (spring and autumn season) and soil (spring season) from three different environments by routine methods in the certified testing laboratory. The samples were collected in the undisturbed region around Novoť, the moderately disturbed region around Tulčík, and the strongly disturbed region around Čečejovce. The concentrations of all toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) and two essential elements (Cu, Se) in milk were under the limits of quantification (LOQ) from all investigated areas and during all seasons. Concentrations of other elements in milk from the undisturbed and disturbed areas were significantly different, generally with the highest levels in summer. In soil samples, the significantly highest concentrations of Ca, Cu, Ni were found in a strongly disturbed area, Mg and As in moderately disturbed area, and Fe, Se, Zn, Hg, and Pb in an undisturbed area. Cadmium was under the LOQ. In feed, the concentrations of essential elements, except of Se, were higher in the autumn. The significantly highest concentration of As, Ni were recorded in a moderately disturbed area and Pb in the undisturbed area in both seasons. Cadmium and Hg were under the LOQ. Despite the higher level of some elements in soil (Fe, Mg, Ca) from all regions, there were not elevated concentrations of any element in feed or milk. The concentrations of all toxic elements in milk were under the permitted limits. Thus, the milk from all investigated areas was not contaminated with the elements posing a health risk for consumers and it is considered safe for human consumption.

The content of selected essential elements and toxic metals in feed and sheep's milk from areas with different parts of Slovak Republic was analyzed. Region of Novoť (undisturbed environment; North Slovakia) and region of Klátova Nová Ves (widely disturbed environment; Western Slovakia) were under investigation. Eleven metals have been analyzed (essential elements - calcium, zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, copper; toxic elements - arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel). Samples of feeds and milk were collected five-times during the year (spring and autumn season). Analyses of samples were performed by certified testing laboratory Eurofins Bel/Novamann (Nové Zámky, Slovak Republic). Analyses were performed by routine methods, according to the valid methodologies. The results showed significantly higher content of selected essential elements in feed in spring season from area with widely disturbed environment (Klátova Nová Ves). Significantly higher content of essential elements in milk was on farm of Novoť (undisturbed environment). Occurrence of toxic metals in feed from area with widely disturbed environment in spring season did not affect their content in milk. It can be concluded, that the use of milk of sheep from these areas for direct use or for dairy products processing is appropriate, safe and poses no health risk for the consumers.

The concentrations of selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and diazinon (DZN) in selected tissues of rats after an oral administration in various combinations were analyzed. Male rats were orally dosed with diazinon (40 mg.L-1), diazinon (40 mg.L-1) +selenium (5 mg.L-1), diazinon (40 mg.L-1) +cadmium (30 mg.L-1), and diazinon (40 mg.L-1) +selenium (5 mg.L-1) +cadmium (30 mg.L-1) in drinking water. After 90 days of per oral administration of compounds, the samples of liver, kidney, muscle tissue (m. quadriceps femoris), and adipose tissue were collected. The content of DZN was analyzed using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Cd was analyzed using an Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS) and Se using a Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HG-AAS) methods. Cadmium significantly increased in liver and kidney after DZN +Cd and DZN +Se +Cd administration. Se significantly increased in liver of DZN +Se, DZN +Se +Cd and DZN +Cd exposed rats, in kidney of DZN +Se and DZN +Se +Cd and DZN +Cd, and in muscle of DZN +Se +Cd group. Highest DZN content was found in the adipose tissue in DZN, DZN +Cd and DZN +Se +Cd but not in combined exposure with Se. Anyway, the differences between the control and experimental groups were not significant. The results indicate that cadmium and selenium accumulate mainly in liver, kidney and selenium also in muscle after p.o. administration but diazinon concentrations increases were not signifcant. The co-administration of diazinon, Se and Cd affects the content of these compounds in the organism and the accumulation rate depends on the combination of administered compounds. Diazinon and cadmium could contribute to the selenium redistribution in the organism after the peroral intake.

The aim of this study was to determinate the actual contamination of selected area of Slovakia, in view of its environmental character referred both to the suitability or unsuitability of the use of milk from this area, to other food processing. This article deals with analysis of the content of selected compounds in soil, feed and milk, at the cow and sheep farms. Village in Eastern Slovakia, Tulčík, was the area of investigation. This area is characterized as an area with mild disturbance of environment. 11 compounds have been analyzed (calcium, selenium, cadmium, arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls – congeners 138, 153, 180, and pesticides - p,p´ DDE, Endosulfan I., Beta-HCH, aflatoxin M1). Samples of soil were collected once a year (spring season), samples of feeds and milk were collected two-times a year (spring and autumn season). Analysis of samples was performed in Eurofins Bel/Novamann (Nové Zámky, Slovak Republic). Analyses were performed by routine methods, according to the valid methodologies. Levels of compounds were obtained and then results have been compared with the most acceptable limits in according to applicable legislation. At both farms, 73.08% (38 samples) of analyzed compounds were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) and 26.92% (14 samples) of compounds were quantifiable. The most significant differences between monitored farms were recorded in soil (27 720 mg·kg-1 Ca), feed (27 620 mg·kg-1 Ca) and milk (960 mg·kg-1 Ca). The high content of calcium in soil and feed did not affect the content of calcium in milk. The results showed that the content of toxic elements, polychorinated biphenyls, pesticides and aflatoxin M1 in analyzed area of Eastern Slovakia was very low and under the limit of quantification. It can be concluded, that the use of milk from this area for direct use or for dairy products is appropriate and poses no health risk to the consumers.

Cyanogenic glycosides are present in several economically important plant foods. Amygdalin, one of the most common cyanoglucoside, can be found abundantly in the seeds of apples, bitter almonds, apricots, peaches, various beans, cereals, cassava and sorghum. Amygdalin has been used for the treatment of cancer, it shows killing effects on cancer cells by release of cyanide. However, its effect on bone structure has not been investigated to date. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine a possible effect of amygdalin application on femoral bone microstructure in adult rabbits. Four month old rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of three animals each. Rabbits from E group received amygdalin intramuscularly at a dose 0.6 mg.kg-1 body weight (bw) (group E, n = 3) one time per day during 28 days. The second group of rabbits without amygdalin supplementation served as a control (group C, n = 3). After 28 days, histological structure of femoral bones in both groups of rabbits was analysed and compared. Rabbits from E group displayed different microstructure in middle part of the compact bone and near endosteal bone surface. For endosteal border, an absence of the primary vascular longitudinal bone tissue was typical. This part of the bone was formed by irregular Haversian and/or by dense Haversian bone tissues. In the middle part of substantia compacta, primary vascular longitudinal bone tissue was observed. Cortical bone thickness did not change between rabbits from E and C groups. However, rabbits from E group had a significantly lower values of primary osteons' vascular canals and secondary osteons as compared to the C group. On the other hand, all measured parameters of Haversian canals did not differ between rabbits from both groups. Our results demonstrate that intramuscular application of amygdalin at the dose used in our study affects femoral bone microstructure in rabbits.

Bee pollen is often used as a dietary additive because it contains proteins and is rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. However, its impact on growth characteristics and bone microstructure is still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of low administration of bee pollen on selected growth characteristics and histological structure of femoral bones in rats. For this purpose, 1-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of 5 animals each. In the control group (CG), rats were fed a commercial diet throughout the experiment (90 days). Rats of experimental group (EG) received standard diets with a 0.2% addition of bee pollen for the same time period of treatment. At the end of the experiment, macroscopical and microscopical structures of femoral bones from all rats were analysed using analytical scales, sliding instrument, polarized light microscopy and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The statistical analysis of obtained data did not reveal significant differences for body weight, femoral weight, femoral length, and cortical bone thickness between both investigated groups of rats. However, a higher number of primary and secondary osteons was observed in the central area of substantia compacta and near periosteal surfaces in rats from the EG group. Histomorphometrical data of primary osteons' vascular canals, Haversian canals and secondary osteons did not differ between rats from both groups. Also, concentrations of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn in the bones of rats from the EG group were similar to those from CG group. Our results indicate that 0.2% concentration of bee pollen in the diet significantly affects qualitative histological characteristics of femoral bones in rats. On the other hand, it has no impact on the size of primary and secondary osteons and on the content of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn in the bones of male rats.

Food contamination from natural or anthropogenic sources poses severe risks to health of human and animals. Bone is a metabolically active organ, which can be affected by various toxic substances, such as cadmium (Cd) and diazinon (DZN), leading to disruption in bone metabolic processes. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of simultaneous peroral administration to Cd and DZN on femoral compact bone structure in adult male rats. A total of twenty 1-month-old male Wistar rats were randomized into two experimental groups. In the first group (EG), young males were dosed with a combination of 30 mg CdCl2/L and 40 mg DZN/L in drinking water, for 90 days. Ten 1-month-old males without Cd-DZN intoxication served as a control group (CG). After 90 days of daily peroral exposure, evaluations of femoral bone macro- and micro-structure were performed in each group. We found no significant differences in body weight, femoral weight, femoral length and cortical bone thickness between both groups (EG and CG). However, rats from the group EG displayed different microstructure in the middle part of the substantia compacta where primary vascular radial bone tissue appeared. In some cases, vascular expansion was so enormous that canals were also present near the periost. On the other hand, they occurred only near endosteal surfaces in rats from the control group. Moreover, a smaller number of primary and secondary osteons was identified in Cd-DZN-exposed rats. This fact signalizes reduced mechanical properties of their bones. Anyway, our results suggest an adaptive response of compact bone tissue to Cd-DZN-induced toxicity in adult male rats in order to prevent osteonecrosis.

The aim of this study was to find the quantitative and structural changes in the rat testis and changes of semen quality after a diazinon administration. METHODS: Rats received diazinon (99% purity) in thier drinking water (40 mg.l-1) with free access. Age of rats at the beginning of the experiment was 30 days and experiment lasted for next 90 days. The histological samples were evaluated by histological and morphometric methods in light microscopy and the samples of semen were evaluated with CASA method. RESULTS: Disintergation of cellular associations in the seminiferous epithelium, germ cells evacuation into the tubule lumen and thier necrosis were mostly observed. Rarely vacuolisation and cracks of epithelium and fibrotisation of interstitial tissue were noted. Morphometric methods have shown extension of epithelium (P subcellular structures and their functions may be damaged which can lead to subfertility. Further investigation of diazinon is needed for verification of our hypothesis.doi:10.5219/188

The aim of this study was to find the structural changes in the rat testis after a diazinon, selenium and their combined administration. The testis structural changes after the diazinon intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg b.w., selenium 2 mg/kg b.w. and both diazinon 20 mg/kg b.w. and selenium 2 mg/kg b.w. were evaluated by histological and morphometric methods in light microscopy. 36 hours after the diazion i.p. administration, the vacuolization of the seminiferous epithelium, evacuation of germ cells into the tubule lumen, epithelium necrosis and disintegration, interstitium extension and fibrotization were observed. The germ cells released from the basal lamina and subsequently they were visible in the tubule lumen. Blood vessels were damaged and morphometric analysis have shown their significant dilatation (P doi:10.5219/44