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Biomedical subjects

J Raszyk

Publications and source records attributed to J Raszyk.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Experimental chronic phenylmercuric chloride poisoning in pigs].

Four gilts, sisters from one litter, aged 70 days and weighing 20-24 kg, were used for a trial. Two experimental gilts (P) were administered an experimental feed mixture containing phenylmercury chloride (40 mg/kg). Two control gilts (K) were fed the same mixture but without phenylmercury chloride. P gilts began to lag behind in their growth from day 60 of the experiment, they manifested nonphysiological postures (dog's sitting posture), paresis of hind limbs and uncoordinated movements. P gilts had cloudy, orange-brown urine from day 70 and from day 75 they began to suffer from diarrhoea. Mercury (Hg) contents in urine and blood serum of P gilts were irregularly variable: urine 0.58-2.15 mg/l, blood serum 0.02-0.37 mg/l. Hg content in excrements of P gilts fluctuated from 23 to 26 mg/kg. Vitamin A concentrations in blood serum and liver decreased in P gilts. Phenylmercury chloride feeding caused mutagenic changes in peripheral lymphocytes of P gilts (an increase in the number of aberrant cells from 2-3% to 8-9%) and reduced IgA, IgM and IgG immunoglobulin levels in blood serum. Pathological lesions were observed in the colon, kidneys and liver. None of the above-mentioned changes were observed in K gilts. Increased resistance to the negative effects of Hg was found in one experimental gilt. In comparison with K gilts, Hg concentrations in P gilts after 130 days of the experiment increased as follows: 427 times in kidneys, 333 times in liver, 106 times in guts, 71 times in pancreas, 53 times in ovaries, 50 times in muscles, 47 times in bristles and 16 times in the brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Ecotoxicologic relations on a large pig-fattening farm located in a lignite mining area and near and solid-fuel electical power plant].

Major contaminants identified in 1983-1984 on a pig fattening farm with an output of 60,000 pigs per annum, located in a lignite mining area and near a solid fuel power plant, were mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium and aflatoxin B1 (Tab. I, II, III, IV). Feed samples were collected from througs to assess the contamination load at feed uptake. Permissible concentrations of mercury, chromium, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, lead and atrazin in the feed were exceeded in 56, 50, 31, 19, 6 and 6% samples, respectively (Tab. I). Stable dust deposits, in which the contaminants concentrate, (Tab. I) proved to be a suitable material for assessing the type and level of environmental contamination. Permissible concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in porcine muscles were exceeded in 65, 51 and 24% samples, respectively (Tab. III). Corresponding values of mercury, cadmium, lead and aflatoxin B1 in the liver were 27, 27, 16 and 3%, respectively (Tab. III) and those of mercury, lead and chromium in kidneys 24, 22 and 5%, respectively (Tab. III). Rather surprisingly, elevated pancreatic concentrations of aflatoxin B1 were found (Tab. IV). Pigs fattened in the contaminated environment (i.e. fed contaminated feed mixtures, inspiring contaminated dust and absorbing percutaneously contaminants form dust deposits on the body surface) showed: 1) Impairment of the genetic apparatus (percentage of aberrant peripheral leucocytes elevated to 6.2%); 2) a certain degree of immunosuppression (concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA reduced by 16.9, 45.1 and 45.0%, respectively); 3) higher feed consumption per 1 kg weight gain (4 kg) and lower average daily weight gain (0.57 kg); 4) increased incidence of health disorders (dermatitis in 25%, pancreatopathy in 13%, liver dystrophy in 8% and femoral fracture in 6% of the pigs). Unfortunately, the authors were not allowed to analyse ash and solid emissions from the power plant. Therefore the share of the emissions in the overall environmental contamination on the fattening farm could not be quantified. The personnel, working in the contaminated environment for a prolonged period, is endangered most of all by stable dust, being exposed to its mechanical, chemical, allergic and infectious effects (Tab. I). In addition to the chemical contaminants, 21 mould genera and species, six mite species and numerous saprophytic and some pathogenic bacteria were demonstrated in stable dust samples in our earlier experiments. Consumption of meat and organs from pigs fattened in a contaminated environment is associated with the risk of an increased uptake of various contaminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of estrogens on phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes in heifers and cows].

Phagocytic activity of peripheral leucocytes (PA) was measured in heifers during the luteal phase and oestrus and after administration of various doses of oestradiol, in ovariectomized heifers and cows in the early post-partum period. PA was demonstrated in 22.63 +/- 2.49% and 50.61 +/- 3.76% of phagocytes in the luteal phase and oestrus respectively (P less than 0.01, Fig. 1). The phagocytic index (PI) rose parallelly from 2.26 +/- 0.31 to 6.55 +/- 0.64 particles per cell (Fig. 2). Intramuscular administration of a single dose 3 mg of oestradiol dipropionate resulted in an increase of PA from 28.93 +/- 3.34 to 69.60 +/- 3.32 on post-treatment day 3 (P less than 0.05, Fig. 3). A nonsignificant increase of PA was observed in heifers treated with 10 mg oestradiol. Increases of PA and PI in postparturient cows, treated with various doses of oestradiol, were nonsignificant (Fig. 5, 6) owing to a wide variance of the values obtained, which might be due to individual differences in endocrine and metabolic status or to uterine bacterial contamination. The most marked of haematological changes was the increase of eosinophil counts from 317 to 525.10(6).l-1 in a group of cows treated with 10 mg oestradiol and a decrease of the lymphocyte: neutrophil ratio (Tab. I). Both endogenous and exogenous oestrogens stimulate PA of peripheral leucocytes and 3 mg of oestradiol is a sufficient dose to obtain the effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[A simple immunologic skin test in piglets].

A simple immunological skin test was carried out on 73 weaned piglets at a weight of 15 to 30 kg. Bristles on the piglets' back were shaved off and 0.1-ml amounts of four substances were injected intradermally. These were an isotonic solution of sodium chloride (900 micrograms NaCl in 0.1 ml), histamine (100 mu g in 0.1 mu l), phytohaemagglutinin (200 mu g in 0.1 ml), and a staphylococcus lysate (STAVA). The sites of administration of the substances were 5 cm apart. The dermal reaction was evaluated 20 minutes, 24 and 48 h after the i.d. administration. The size of the papule (measured after 20 min) and the size of the induration (after 24 and 48 h) were measured in two perpendicular directions and the mean value was calculated from the measured data. The average size of the papule was 8.1 mm 20 min after administration of sodium chloride (NaCl) and 19.6 mm 20 min after administration of histamine (HIS). The average size of induration after the administration of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was 13.1 mm after 24 h and 11.0 mm after 48 h. The average size of the papule was 11.1 mm 20 min after the administration of STA, the average size of induration was 10.6 mm 24 h after administration of STA and 8.5 mm after 48 h. Piglets that had papule larger than 15 mm 20 min after HIS administration (after subtracting papule size after NaCl administration) were regarded as piglets susceptible to states of allergy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Immunologic skin tests in piglets].

Immunological skin tests were carried out in 213 weanling piglets at the weight of 5 to 30 kg. Immediate hypersensitivity was evaluated by help of diagnostic allergens (mould, yeast and bacterial ones), delayed hypersensitivity by help of staphylococcus lysate, cellular immunity (tests de novo) by help of phytohemagglutinin and as common recall antigens were used tuberculin, toxoplasmin, candidic and tetanic antigen. The above substances were applied intradermally to the back of the piglets. For an evaluation of non-specific inflammatory response, sodium lauryl sulphate applied epicutaneously was used. The average reaction to diagnostic allergens (50 PNU in 0.05 ml) evaluated after 20 minutes was characterized as light dermal reactions (the papule size of 3-5 mm); in 22% of piglets moderate dermal reactions (the papule larger than 6 mm) to the diagnostic bacterial allergen (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) were determined. After an intradermal implantation of histamine (50 micrograms in 0.05 ml) the average size of the papule was 13 mm in 20 minutes. After the application of 0.1 ml of staphylococcus lysate (STAVA), the induration exceeding 10 mm was observed in 13% of piglets in 24 hours. After the application of phytohemagglutinin (100 micrograms in 0.1 ml), the induration exceeding 5 mm in 24 hours was determined in 93% of piglets and in 48 hours in 59% of piglets. Common recall antigens were applied at the volume of 0.1 ml. Forty-eight hours after the application no palpable induration was determined: in 91% of piglets after the application of tuberculin (2 TU PPD in 0.1 ml); in 75% of piglets after toxoplasmin (according to PNY 30-33-74); in 98% of piglets after candidic antigen (100 PNU in 0.1 ml) and in 86% of piglets after tetanic antigen implantations (0.03 Lf in 0.1 ml). The epicutaneously applied sodium lauryl sulphate (at 2.5% and 5% concentrations) caused no inflammatory dermal reactions (erythema or induration) after 24 hours. In piglets it is best to apply phytohemagglutinin for evaluating cellular immunity, staphylococcus lysate for evaluating delayed hypersensitivity to staphylococci and histamine for obtaining the information on a disposition of piglets to allergic diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Levels of progesterone, 17 beta-estradiol and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid in the blood in cows in different types of puerperal conditions].

Changes in progesterone (P4), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid (11-OHCS) concentrations in blood plasma were determined in daily intervals from the day of parturition to day 15 post partum (p.p.) in cows with physiological puerperium (n = 8), with puerperal endometritis (n = 6), and with placenta retention (n = 6). Cows with puerperium disorders (endometritis, placenta retention) had significantly higher P4 levels in the period from day 3 to day 7 p.p. than cows with physiological puerperium. E2 concentrations decreased to basal values following the parturition in cows with spontaneous parturitions and subsequent expulsion of the placenta. A delayed decrease in E2 concentrations after parturition and a significant increase on day 5 and day 7 p.p. were recorded in the group of animals with placenta retention. Significantly higher levels of 11-OHCS in blood plasma were detected by day 5 or by day 8 p.p. in cows with placenta retention and puerperal endometritis. Extraovarial sources of sexual steroids resulting in endocrine malfunctions are discussed as well as likely consequences for puerperium.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1979

[Biochemical and hematological changes in sows during estrus].

After the second and fourth parturition of piglets, ten clinically healthy sows, weaned on the second day of life, were subjected to examination two to three days before heat, during heat (defined by typical changes on the outer genitals and immobilization in the presence of a boar) and two days after insemination. During the morning hours, four hours after the last feeding, blood was taken from V. cava cranialis. Seventeen parameters were determined in whole blood and in the blood serum. In the period of oestrus, compared with the period two to three days before this period and two days after insemination, a marked increase was observed in the concentration of the serum levels of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids, iron, and in the activity of alanine aminotransferase. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase was increased in heat only in comparison with the period of the two days after insemination. The concentration of haemaglobin in whole blood was significantly increased in comparison with the period before oestrus and after insemination. Further, in the heat period -- as compared with the time before it -- a considerable drop was observed in the content of inorganic phosphorus and vitamin A. The possible mechanism of the occurrence of other changes is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Changes in biochemical indicators in the blood and organs of pigs fed dried grape press cake].

In two experiments the effect of feeding dried crushed white and red grape press cake replacing 10--20% of the complex feed mixture A1 and SOL, was studied on the 21 biochemical indicators of blood serum, plasma, suprarenal glands, liver and tissue of fattened pigs. Changes indicating unsuitability of this non-traditional feed were not observed. During feeding red grape press cake, the young pigs of 35kg body weight had a lower concentration of glucose in blood serum, in comparison with the control. The temporary increase of calcium level and decrease of inorganic phosphorus in these animals was accompanied by a lower activity of alkaline phosphatase. White and red grape press cake affected positively the vitamin E level in blood serum. In the muscles of the experimental slaughter pigs protein proportion was increased and fat proportion was decreased.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1976

Effect of glucose on adrenocortical activity of newborn piglets.

Adrenocortical function was followed in newborn piglets fasted for 36 hours and in piglets given only glucose or glucoplastic amino acids during this period. The greatest increase in relative adrenal weight, blood plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) levels and in the production of 17-OHCS by pig adrenals in vitro as compared with suckled controls was found in fasted piglets followed by amino acid-treated animals. The latter showed no significant differences in blood glucose between the initial and final values. The administration of glucose produced a transient hyperglycemia, failed to prevent the inhibition of body growth, resulted in a reduction in liver weight similar to that seen in fasted animals, and had a marked suppressive effect on the elevation of adrenocortical function. There were no significant differences in the production of 17-OHCS by adrenals in vitro per kg body weight between the glucose-treated and suckled piglets.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1976

Effect of insulin hypoglycaemia on adrenocortical function and blood plasma vitamin E and cholesterol levels in suckling and weaned piglets.

Suckling piglets aged 28-31 days and weaned piglets aged 46-60 days were injected with insulin at a rate of 1 U/kg body weight to induce hypoglycaemia. All the animals were blood-sampled before and 45 and 90 minutes after the insulin injection. Both groups developed a marked adrenocortical response without any significant differences, though the rise in plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) levels of weaned piglets was slightly delayed. Plasma vitamin E concentration showed a significant rise in suckling piglets and a slight rise in weaned animals; it was not accompanied by an increase in total cholesterol levels. The results suggest that glucocorticoids affect vitamin E metabolism. The values of plasma 17-OHCS, cholesterol and vitamin E levels as well as of blood glucose levels and circulating eosinophil leucocyte counts confirmed differences in these parameters between suckling and weaned piglets.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1976

[Effect of glucose and phenobarbital on the concentration of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids in the blood plasma of piglets].

In piglets 18 to 30 days old, the authors studied the changes of the levels of plasmatic 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS), the overall content of cholesterol and blood glucose two hours after oral application of glucose or phenobarbital. A dose of 0.5 g of glucose per kg of weight did not affect the parameters in question as compared with the control group which received a physiological solution. A dose of 2 g of glucose per kg of bodyweight caused glycaemia two hours after administration and an non-significant increase of the 11-OHCS level. Phenobarbital, administered at the rate of 10 mg per kg of bodyweight, markedly reduced the 11-OHCS level in the blood plasma. The level of total cholesterol showed a slight decrease in all instances. The authors discuss the mechanisms causing the changes observed. It is suggested that the effect of phenobarbital could be used for moderating the negative effects of the raised glucocorticoid level in stress situations.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A practical immunologic skin test for piglets].

At present immune system performance in pigs is decreasing, particularly as a result of environment quality deterioration. Immunological skin tests can also be used to determine the degree of immune system impairment in piglets. A practical immunological skin test was carried out in 48 weaned piglets with the body weight of 15-30 kg. The test was located on the piglets' backs after bristles had been shaved off. The test consists in intradermal injections of a physiological saline (900 micrograms NaCl in 0.1 ml), histamine (100 micrograms in 0.1 ml) and phytohaemagglutinin (0.1 ml; Institute of Sera and Vaccines, Praha). The size of the papule (in 20 minutes) and the size of the induration (in 24 hours) were measured in two perpendicular directions, and the mean value (in mm) was calculated from the measured data. In 20 minutes the average size of the papule was 9.4 mm after the application of the physiological saline and 20.5 mm after histamine application (Fig. 1). In 24 hours after phytohaemagglutinin application the average size of the induration was 15.9 mm (Fig. 2). In twenty minutes the increased reaction to histamine (the papule larger than 24 mm) was observed in four piglets (8.3%); these piglets show the predisposition to allergic diseases (Fig. 3). In another four piglets (8.3%) the decreased reaction to phytohaemagglutinin (endurance of 13 mm and less) was observed in 24 hours; these are piglets with the decreased cellular immunity (Fig. 4). The increased reaction to histamine and the decreased reaction to phytohaemagglutinin were found only in one (2.1%). Piglets with abnormal dermal reaction can represent the risky part of the pig subpopulation which adapt themselves less easily to the stress on large pig farms. A veterinary surgeon and his assistant can examine by this test 20 piglets in the herd. This skin test was recommended as a practical cheap screening test for use in pig herds to evaluate preliminarily the predisposition to allergic diseases and cellular immunity of piglets.

Animals↗