Comparative coproscopic studies on the occurrence of helminths in the wild boar included two groups of animals living under different conditions: one (A) - wild boar inhabiting a woodland area, another (B) - wild boar from a free-range farm. Analysis of 142 samples of faeces revealed the occurrence of six nematode species: Oesophagostomum sp./Globocephalus sp., Metastrongylus sp., Trichuris suis, Ascaris suum, Ascarops strongylina, and Physocephalus sexalatus. The prevalence of infection was very high - 97.2%, while the mean number of eggs was 34.3 ±88.6. The prevalence was similar in the two groups: A=98.4% vs. B=96.3%. The mean number of eggs was higher in group B (46.6 ±115.3; range 1-902) compared to A (18.3 ±17.2; 1-83). All the parasite taxa were found in each group. The frequency of individual helminth taxa differed between the groups, but the differences were statistically significant only for Oesophagostomum sp./Globocephalus sp. (χ²=4.34; df=l; P=0.037), Metastrongylus sp. (χ²=8.03; df=2; P=0.004), and A suum (χ²=15.67; df=2; P=0.000).
The objective of the study was to assess the effects of rearing space on growing pig’s behavior, performance and meat quality. 120 pigs were reared to slaughter at 14 weeks in restricted or spacious conditions. The restricted conditions were defined as intensive production system (slatted floors and minimum recommended space allowances) and the spacious conditions incorporated extra space (one of the main factors in organic animal husbandry). Rearing space influenced pig behavior. Observations showed that spacious conditions reduced the time spent inactively and time spent in harmful social and aggressive behavior. Growth rates were also higher for pigs in spacious pens (p < 0.001) and this led to heavier carcass weights (n.s.). Pigs from spacious conditions also had thicker backs (n.s.). The enrichment of conditions had a small but significant effect on meat quality. Pork from pigs reared in restricted conditions had lower pH 24 post mortem (p < 0.001), was less tender, and had poorer water holding capacity than pork from pigs reared in spacious pens (n.s.).
Using animal house experiments we demonstrated that urine odor can elicit physiological changes in the maturation rate of Brandt’s vole (Radde, 1861). We showed that the urine of estrous females, anestrous females and non-breeding males had no effect on the time of sexual maturity of young voles. In contrast, the maturation rate of young female voles was accelerated, and the maturation rate of young male voles was slowed, by exposure to the urine of breeding adult males. Headspace analysis revealed significant differences in the levels of a subset of volatile constituents of urine from breeding and non-breeding males. From a total of 50 components, Propanoic acid, 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine, Dimethyldisulfide, 1-Octene, 1-Hexanol, Hexanoic acid and p-Xylene were observed only in the urine of breeding male Brandt’s voles. All other substances were present in the volatiles from urine of both breeding and non-breeding male Brandt’s vole.
Comparative faecal analysis-based research on the occurrence of helminths in pigs was conducted in two farms, which differ in their breeding system; in one, the pigs were kept indoors, while the pigs reared on the other had access to outdoor facilities. An examination of 118 faecal samples revealed the presence of the following four helminth species: Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Strongyloides ransomi, and Oesophagostomum sp. The helminth prevalence was very low (14.41%) and the mean number of eggs per sample being low as well (8.91%). The values of the basic parasitological indicators, and the richness of the species in the free- ranging herd proved significantly (P<0.007) higher than in the stock lacking access to outdoor facilities. The differences between the two pig farming systems compared were also found to be related to the age and phenology of the pigs studied.
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