Cytogenetic examinations of 1,444 bulls of different breeds intended for reproduction in Poland were carried out in 1999- 2008. Using the method of peripheral blood lymphocytes culture, a number of metaphase plates was obtained and routinely stained for light microscopic examination. To enhance chromosome analysis, the method of developing G bands was used to prepare photographic documentation. The majority of investigated bulls (1,424) had a normal karyotype - 60,XY. In 20 animals (1.4%) anomalies of the karyotype were identified. Seventeen bulls, born as twins with female, demonstrated leukocytic chimerism (60,XX/60,XY). Three cases of sex chromosome abnormalities: 61,XYY trisomy, 61,XXY trisomy, and mosaicism 60,XY/61,XXY were also found. In these bulls, hypoplasia of the testicles, azoospermia, and depressed libido were observed. No structural chromosome rearrangement was found in the animals.
The study included 114 clinically healthy horses representing different groups: breeding horses (27), recreation horses (22), and sport horses (65). The group of sport horses consisted of racehorses (11), trotters (15), jumping horses (25), and driving horses (14). The peripheral blood samples collected three times: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 30-min rest were examined for the activity of oxygen metabolism of neutrophils using chemiluminescence (CL). The study demonstrated a temporary post-exercise intensification of free radical processes in sport horses. The intensity of this reaction depended on the intensity and duration of the exercise workload, which was confirmed by the changes in the heart rate and breathing. The analysis of the results of pre-exercise examination demonstrated clearly higher CL values of neutrophils in horses trained regularly and intensively than in animals of small physical activity. This result proves a positive influence of regular training on oxygen-dependent bactericidal activity of neutrophils.
This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of physical exercise on immunity mechanisms in horses. Results of many studies indicate that exercise has an immunomodulating effect on horses. The immunological reaction depended on the intensity of physical exercise. It was found that moderate (single or cyclical) physical exercise stimulated the immunological system (increased the number and activity of immunological cells), while exhausting physical exercise decreased the efficiency of the innate and adaptive mechanisms of immunity. Epidemiological data confirm that the intensive exercise can increase the incidence of respiratory tract infections in horses, whereas moderate exercise presumably decreases the hazard of infection. In order to minimize the exercise-induced risk of infection, regular vaccinations, monitored training, control and supplementation of diet, reducing the environmental stress and, if necessary, chemo- and immunotherapy were recommended.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidative potential of blood during standard physical exercise of horses. The study included 114 clinically healthy horses representing different groups: breeding horses (27), recreation horses (22), and sport horses (65). The group of sport horses consisted of race horses (11), trotters (15), and jumping (25) and driving horses (14). The blood was collected from external jugular vein three times: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 30-min rest. The following enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative indices were determined: superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, albumin, total bilirubin, uric acid, and total antioxidant status (TAS). The study demonstrated a temporary post exercise mobilisation of antioxidative mechanisms, especially in cases of intensively trained competitive horses. It was demonstrated that among the antioxidants, the activity of GPx showed the high post-exercise changeability, which suggests a great importance of this enzyme in the protection of the organism from the increased generation of reactive oxygen species. The analysis of results of pre- exercise examination indicated higher rest values of main antioxidative enzymes and TAS in horses trained regularly and intensively than those in animals of a small physical activity. These results prove the positive influence of training on antioxidative potential of blood in horses.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the changeability of clinical and haematological indices as a result of a standard physical effort of horses. The study included 114 clinically healthy horses representing different groups: breeding horses (27), recreation horses (22) and sport horses (65). The group of sport horses consisted of race horses (11), trotters (15), jumping horses (25) and driving horses (14). The heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) measurements as well as blood collection were performed three times: before exercise, immediately after exercise and after a 30-minute rest. The blood samples were assessed for red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes (L) and neutrophils (N). The study demonstrated that a standard physical exercise in sport horses results in a significant, temporary changes in the values of clinical and haematological indices. The differences of these reactions in animals representing different sport disciplines suggest the relation with the intensity, type and duration of the effort. The highest post-exercise changeability of these indices was found in sport horses (especially driving horses) which were subject to the greatest exercise load. The average post-exercise increase of the values of HR, RR, RBC, Ht, Hb and L was 212; 637; 36; 41; 31 and 50% respectively. A relatively small physical effort of recreation horses did not result in statistically significant changes of these indices except for an increase in the respiratory rate (by about 115%).
Cases of canibalism in sheep during lambing-period on one farm were observed. From a total of 526 sheep births of Berrichon and Polish Merino breed ewes, cases of mutilation or biting off tails by mothers were noted on the average in 14.5% lambs. In two sheep-coops, the percentage of mutilated lambs was 40 and 80%. Aggressive behaviour of sheep in relation to lambs concerned both mothers as well as other sheep. The relationship between cases of canibalism and the concentration of animals in sheep-coops, feeding, environmental temperature and the learning of negative behaviour was discussed.
Лихорадку индуцировали, применяя внутривенно 0,1 µг/кг м.т. эндотоксины Е. coli у 27 лошадей породы польская лошадка. Пробы крови брали непосредственно перед инъекцией эндотоксина и 9-кратно после его ввода: каждый час в течение 8 часов, а также через 24 и 48 часов. В те же периоды измеряли ректальную температуру. Исследовали: число лейкоцитов, ацидофильных гранулоцитов, нейтрофильных гранулоцитом, лимфоцитов, эритроцитов, гемоглобин, гематокрит, лейкоцитную картину и оседание крови. Эти исследования вели общеизвестными методами. В эндотоксинной лихорадке отметили лейкопению, эозинопению, нейтропению, лимфопению и изменения процентного состава лейкоцитов крови. В период понижения лихорадки отмечается значительная нейтрофилия с пиком в период возвращения температуры к норме. После понижения температуры следует лейкоцитоз и гранулоцитофилия.
The content of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and differential leukocyte count were examined in 720 samples of blood taken from the external jugular vein from 90 Polish ponnies, males and females more than 1.5 year old. The parameters were examined for two years in periods corresponding to four seasons of the year. Most of the examined parameters characterized a seasonal fluctuation. The higher values were noted in summer but the lowest ones in the winter period.
A population of 90 Polish ponnies, males and females in three age groups, 1st — 1.5—4.0 years old (46 animals), 2nd — 5—9 years old (23 animals), 3rd — 10 or more years old (21 animals) was examined. Haematological determinations were performed with blood from the external jugular vein in each season for 2 years. A total 720 blood samples were examined. Red blood cells content (RBC), white blood cells content (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht), mean concentration of haemoglobin in erythrocyte (MCHC), mean weight of haemoglobin in erythrocyte (MCH), mean volume of erythrocyte (MCV) and differential leukocyte count were examined. It was found that along with an increase of age of ponnies increase Hb, Ht, MCH, MCHC, MCV, number of neutrophils and acidophils and lower WBC and number of lymphocytes. The same trend in changes of blood parameters related to age is noted in other horse breeds.