A Study on the Modifying Effect of Raspberry Seed Oil on Rabbit Meat Quality and Chemical Composition.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of raspberry seed oil on the slaughter performance traits, plasma lipid concentration and meat quality of purebred Termond White rabbits (n = 42; 18♂, 24♀). In each group (3 × n = 14; 6♂, 8♀), the experimental animals were fed a complete pelleted feed with constant access to drinking water. Rabbits in the first experimental group received a feed ration enriched with a 1% addition of raspberry seed oil, while rabbits in the second experimental group were given a 2% addition of the same oil. These animals were slaughtered on day 84. The addition of raspberry seed oil did not significantly affect the slaughter performance traits of the rabbits (p > 0.05). It also did not significantly affect the fat content, shear force, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness or chewiness of the meat obtained from the rabbits' longissimus lumborum muscle. However, the experiment showed that the addition of raspberry seed oil had a significant effect on the fatty acid profile of rabbit meat (p ≤ 0.05). Even a small share of this oil in the feed ration significantly increased the level of linoleic acid (p ≤ 0.05). This study showed that feeding pellets containing an oil supplement with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids had a positive effect on rabbits' plasma lipid levels.

Polymorphism within IGFBP Genes Affects the Acidity, Colour, and Shear Force of Rabbit Meat.

Rabbits are important livestock animals, popular for their nutritional value. Nowadays, the molecular background of traits influencing the quality of meat and meat products is in high demand. Therefore, in the current study, we analyse the sequences of IGFBP1, IGFBP2, IGFBP4, IGFBP5, and IGFBP6 for possible polymorphisms. Based on a bioinformatics analysis in an association study on 466 animals of different breeds (New Zealand White × Flemish Giant crossbreed (9NZWxFG), Termond White (TW), Popielno White (PW), and Flemish Giant (FG)), we analyse the influence of five polymorphisms within the IGFBP genes. Statistically significant differences were found among the carcass and meat quality traits but not for all of the analysed rabbit breeds. The most promising polymorphism was g.158093018A>T within the IGFBP5 gene. The values of pH24 of m.longissimus lumborum (m.l.l.) and biceps femoris muscles (m.b.f.) were higher for the AT genotypes compared to the AA genotypes for the TW and NZWxFG crossbreeds. Also, for pH24, we found differences in ing.41594308T>C for NZWxFG, where the TT genotype values were higher than the TC values. We found differences in L*24 on m.l.l. for g.41592248A>C for NZWxFG. For m.b.f., significant differences were found in b*45 for g.3431insAC in the FG population and a*45 for g.41592248A>C and g.158093018A>T in the TW population. The shear force statistically differed for g.158093018A>T in TW rabbits and g.41592248A>C for NZWxFG. We conclude that this polymorphism may be promising for better quality rabbit meat and may be implemented in selection processes.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding as an unusual manifestation of localized Ménétrier's disease with an underlying lipoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ménétrier's disease is a rare condition characterized by enlarged gastric folds, usually located in the whole body and fundus of the stomach. This report presents an unusual case of localized Ménétrier's disease elevated by a submucosal lipoma and thus looking like a polypoid mass and causing an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The mass was successfully removed with endoscopic submucosal dissection. CASE SUMMARY: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed on a 76-year-old male patient after an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, manifesting as fatigue and melena. A large polypoid mass (4 cm × 1 cm) with enlarged mucosal folds was found in the body of the stomach, between the lesser curvature and posterior wall. A small ulcer at the distal end of the mass was identified as the source of the bleeding. Biopsy was negative for neoplasia. Computed tomography showed a submucosal lesion beneath the affected mucosa, most likely a lipoma. The mass was removed en bloc with tunneling endoscopic submucosal dissection. Final pathology determined that the mass included Ménétrier's disease and a submucosal lipoma. The patient was scheduled for follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy. CONCLUSION: Localized Ménétrier's disease can coexist with a submucosal lipoma creating a polypoid mass with risk of bleeding.

Anterolateral thigh free flap reconstruction of pharyngoesophageal defect caused by radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer: A case report.

Salvage total laryngectomy is a common treatment option for patients with recurrent or residual laryngeal cancer after primary radiotherapy. If the tumor is limited to the larynx at the time of surgery, there is usually sufficient mucosa for primary closure of the hypopharynx. We present an unusual case of pharyngoesophageal defect caused by radiotherapy. Since the remaining mucosa of the posterior wall was insufficient for primary closure, the defect was reconstructed with an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap.

Effect of a Diet Supplemented with Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) or Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum L.) on the Content of Selected Heavy Metals in Liver and Rabbit Meat.

The literature on herbal additives for rabbit feed offers little information on the use of nettle and fenugreek. Both of these herbs are valuable sources of vitamins and minerals. These herbs affect the growth, health, and meat quality of rabbits. They regulate the digestive system, stimulate the appetite, have a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system, and exhibit antibacterial activity. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves or fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds in the feed on the content of selected heavy metals in the liver and meat of the rabbit. The rabbits were divided into three groups: group C (n = 20; 10♂ and 10♀) was fed ad libitum with a complete feed, N group (n = 20; 10♂ and 10♀) was fed a complete mixture with 1% added nettle, and group F (n = 20; 10♂ and 10♀) was fed with a complete mixture with 1% added fenugreek. The experiment lasted 7 weeks (from the 35th to the 84th day of the rabbits' lives). All the rabbits were slaughtered on the 84th day of age, with a body weight of about 2.6 kg. The concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cd) was determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The additives to the feed significantly affected the content of elements in both the liver and the meat of rabbits (p < 0.05). The highest level of the heavy metals, regardless of the used diet, was recorded in the liver (p < 0.05). The meat (m. longissimus lumborum) and the liver of rabbits fed with herbal fodder contained less tested metals than in animals fed with fodder without additives (p < 0.05). Moreover, more essential metals were found in the liver of rabbits fed with fenugreek than rabbits fed with nettle. In the meat and liver of rabbits, the permissible content of cadmium and lead was not exceeded. Additionally, male livers had a significantly higher content of copper and manganese compared to female livers (p < 0.05). It is important to study the content of heavy metals in the used animal herbal feed additives and their interaction with each other, as they affect the distribution of elements in tissues and organs.

Effect of a Diet Supplemented with Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) or Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on the Post-Slaughter Traits and Meat Quality Parameters of Termond White Rabbits.

The purpose of the study was to analyse the effect of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds as additives to fodder in order to improve post-slaughter traits and quality parameters of Termond White rabbit meat (n = 60; 30♂, 30♀). Three experimental groups were created. The control group (n = 20; 10♂ and 10♀) was fed ad libitum feed containing corn, bran, wheat, dried alfalfa, soybean meal, sunflower meal, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and vitamin-mineral premix. The animals from the first experimental group (n = 20; 10♂ and 10♀) were fed a complete mixture added with 1% of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves. Rabbits from the second group (n = 20; 10♂ and 10♀) were fed with a complete mixture added with 1% of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds. Rabbits fed with pellets with the addition of nettle were characterized by a higher slaughter weight, higher weight of hot and cold carcasses, lungs, kidneys and head as well as a higher weight of the fore, middle and hind part of the carcass compared to the other two groups. The carcasses of animals fed with fenugreek and nettle had a higher percentage of the fore and hind parts compared to the carcasses of the animals from the control group. The female carcasses were characterized by a significantly higher percentage of the middle part compared to the male carcasses. For most colour measurement traits, the differences depending on the feeding regime were significant. The effect of gender on meat colour was non significant. The effect of feeding regime and of gender on texture traits such as shear force, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness and chewiness were non significant. Feeding had no effect on muscle fibre diameter, but it affected the muscle fibre type I percentage. Thus, the group fed with pellets containing nettle leaves had higher percentage of type I muscle fibres than the control group. The effect of gender on muscle fibre traits was non significant.

Effect of dietary supplementation with nettle or fenugreek on folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the rabbit ovary - An in vivo study.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with nettle or fenugreek on folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the juvenile rabbit ovary. To gain insight into the mechanism of action of these herbs, we examined follicle formation, ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis, steroidogenic enzyme abundance and steroid concentrations in ovarian tissue and plasma. Animals were fed with control, 1% nettle- or 1% fenugreek-supplemented pellets from 5 to 12 weeks of age (n = 10 per each group), when animals were slaughtered for ovary and blood collection. The addition of nettle decreased the numbers of primordial (P = 0.015) and early antral (P = 0.02) follicles and increased the number of primary (P = 0.04) ones when compared with the control group. Following fenugreek supplementation, the numbers of primary (P = 0.008) and antral (P = 0.027) follicles were greater, while the number of early antral (P = 0.003) follicles was lower in comparison with the control group. Nettle revealed apoptotic activity through activation of caspases 9 (P = 0.047), 8 (P = 0.022) and 3 (P = 0.004), whereas fenugreek increased (P = 0.042) follicular cell proliferation marked by PCNA protein abundance. Furthermore, only fenugreek targeted steroidogenic enzymes, decreasing CYP17A1 (P = 0.043) and increasing CYP19A1 (P = 0.048) protein abundances that resulted in enhanced estradiol biosynthesis and its elevated (P = 0.006) plasma concentration. In conclusion, both herbs affected follicle development in the rabbit ovary in a stage specific manner. Additionally, fenugreek altered ovarian steroidogenesis in a way that might affect sexual maturation in rabbits.

Non-Invasive Measurement of Thyroid Hormones in Domestic Rabbits.

Thyroid hormones are essential for metabolism, energy homeostasis and reproduction. Hormones can be measured in various biological source materials: blood, feces, urine, saliva and others. The aim of our study was to verify usefulness of thyroid hormone analysis in the urine and feces of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domesticus), comparing them with the serum analyses. Samples were collected from 27 does in the age of 12-14 weeks. Total thyroxine (tT4), total triiodothyronine (tT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) were tested using the radioimmunological method in serum, feces and urine. The highest concentration of tT4 was found in feces (104.72 ± 59.52 nmol/mg) and the lowest in urine (3.03 ± 3.11 nmol/mL). The highest tT3 concentration was found in blood serum (3.19 ± 0.64 nmol/L) and the lowest in urine (0.31 ± 0.43 nmol/L). The highest concentration of fT4 was observed in feces (43.71 ± 4.79 pmol/mg) and the lowest in blood serum (14.97 ± 3.42 pmol/L). The statistically highest concentration of fT3 (28.56 ± 20.79 pmol/L) was found in urine, whereas the lowest concentration of this hormone was found in feces (3.27 ± 1.33 pmol/mg). There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between serum and urine fT3 (r = 0.76) and a high positive correlation between serum and feces fT3 concentration (r = 0.62). Correlations between concentrations of other thyroid hormones between serum, urine and feces were found to be insignificant. The results suggest that fT3 can be accurately and reliably measured in the feces and urine of the domestic rabbit.

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Concentration Changes in Response to Stress and Altered Availability of Glutamic Acid in Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Brain Limbic Structures.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is an enzyme that catalyses the formation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, from glutamic acid (Glu), which is considered the most important excitatory transmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems. GAD is a key enzyme that provides a balance between Glu and GABA concentration. Hence, it can be assumed that if the GAD executes the synthesis of GABA from Glu, it is important in the stress response, and thus also in triggering the emotional states of the body that accompany stress. The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of the GAD in motivational structures in the brain of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) under altered homeostatic conditions caused by stress and variable availability of Glu. Summarising, the experimental results clearly showed variable concentrations of GAD in the motivational structures of the rabbit brain. The highest concentration of GAD was found in the hypothalamus, which suggests a strong effect of Glu and GABA on the activity of this brain structure. The GAD concentrations in individual experimental groups depended to a greater extent on blocking the activity of glutamate receptors than on the effects of a single stress exposure. The results obtained clearly support the possibility that a rapid change in the concentration of GAD could shift bodily responses to quickly achieve homeostasis, especially in this species. Further studies are necessary to reveal the role of the Glu-GAD-GABA system in the modulation of stress situations as well as in body homeostasis.

Mutations in Leptin (LEP) Gene Are Associated with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Crossbreed Rabbits.

Leptin is a hormone synthesized and secreted primarily in adipose cells that help to regulate energy balance. This study examined the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the rabbit leptin gene with growth traits, slaughter traits and physicochemical parameters of New Zealand White (NZW) and Belgian Giant Grey (BGG) crossbreed rabbits. In total, 320 crossbreed animals were genotyped for polymorphisms within exon 2-g.16081633T>C, intron 1_2-g.16081420C>T, and within UTR-g.16079636C>G for association analysis. Identified polymorphisms within rabbits leptin gene showed significant differences for dissectible fat percentage in carcass and dissectible fat weight in intermediate part (g.16081633T>C). Moreover, meat traits like protein content (g.16081633T>C; g.16079636C>G), intramuscular fat content (g.16081633T>C; g.16079636C>G, g.16081420C>T), dry matter (g.16081420C>T), ash (g.16081420C>T), water (g.16081420C>T), and cohesiveness (g.16081420C>T, g.16079636C>G) were affected by polymorphisms in leptin gene. We conclude that polymorphism in the rabbit leptin gene influences important carcass and meat traits of NZW × BGG crossbreeds. Therefore, polymorphisms identified in this study may be used in selection as a meat trait markers.