Seasonal dynamics of endoparasitic infections at an organic goat farm and the impact of detected infections on milk production.

This study evaluated patterns and species composition of parasitic infections detected over a 1-year period at an organic goat farm. As a result of coprological examination, the overall prevalence of observed strongylids (99%), coccidia of the genus Eimeria (98%), and Muellerius capillaris lungworms (93%) was calculated. The most prevalent strongylids recovered from incubated fecal samples were Haemonchus contortus (42%), genera Trichostrongylus (23%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (13%), and Teladorsagia circumcincta (11%). A maximum intensity of coccidia infection 5150 oocysts per gram, strongylids infection 9900 eggs per gram and lungworm infection 867.26 larvae per gram were detected. The various effects (including environment, host, and parasites) on milk yield, lactose, protein, and fat were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. Milk yield (P < 0.0001), milk fat (P < 0.01), and lactose (P < 0.0001) were affected by month, i.e., these parameters were influenced by the month of the year, regardless of the individual goat. With the intensity of infection detected in our study, only protein content was affected (P < 0.01) by parasitic infection (exclusively caused by strongylids). Correlation between measurements from one individual revealed that the goat itself can substantially decrease protein content but has much less of an effect on fat, milk yield, and lactose. Based on our results, we can conclude that a low intensity of parasitic infections does not significantly affect milk yield and the qualitative parameters of milk.

Development and application of a second-generation multilingual tool for invasion risk screening of non-native terrestrial plants.

Under the increasing threat to native ecosystems posed by non-native species invasions, there is an urgent need for decision support tools that can more effectively identify non-native species likely to become invasive. As part of the screening (first step) component in non-native species risk analysis, decision support tools have been developed for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Amongst these tools is the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) for screening non-native plants. The WRA has provided the foundations for developing the first-generation WRA-type Invasiveness Screening Kit (ISK) tools applicable to a range of aquatic species, and more recently for the second-generation ISK tools applicable to all aquatic organisms (including plants) and terrestrial animals. Given the most extensive usage of the latter toolkits, this study describes the development and application of the Terrestrial Plant Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (TPS-ISK). As a second-generation ISK tool, the TPS-ISK is a multilingual turnkey application that provides several advantages relative to the WRA: (i) compliance with the minimum standards against which a protocol should be evaluated for invasion process and management approaches; (ii) enhanced questionnaire comprehensiveness including a climate change component; (iii) provision of a level of confidence; (iv) error-free computation of risk scores; (v) multilingual support; (vi) possibility for across-study comparisons of screening outcomes; (vii) a powerful graphical user interface; (viii) seamless software deployment and accessibility with improved data exchange. The TPS-ISK successfully risk-ranked five representative sample species for the main taxonomic groups supported by the tool and ten angiosperms previously screened with the WRA for Turkey. The almost 20-year continuous development and evolution of the ISK tools, as opposed to the WRA, closely meet the increasing demand by scientists and decision-makers for a reliable, comprehensive, updatable and easily deployable decision support tool. For terrestrial plant screening, these requirements are therefore met by the newly developed TPS-ISK.

Nymphs of Ixodes ricinus Are More Sensitive to Deet Than Adult Females.

The use of repellents is a unique measure of personal protection, which can avoid tick attachment and thus reduce the risk of tick-borne infections. In the European Union, the efficacy of the repellents coming onto the market has to be evaluated according to the guidelines published by the European Chemical Agency before registration. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a similar role. Despite obvious differences in morphology and behavior, both these guidelines allow the use of nymph or adult female ticks for laboratory testing. Here, we provide evidence that sensitivity to diethyltoluamide (deet) (P < 0.0001) of Ixodes ricinus nymphs within the in vitro trial was significantly higher than in adult females. In the experiment, we also observed that feral ticks were less sensitive to repellent than were laboratory-reared ticks (P < 0.01) and that mobility decreased when the trial was repeated (P < 0.05). This study showed that the results of efficacy tests could vary significantly even when the protocol was conducted in accordance with the recommended methods. To refine the results of efficacy tests, we recommend a reevaluation of the guidelines, with emphasis on the developmental stage and origin of ticks.

Metabolic transformation and urinary excretion of selenium (Se) in rats fed a Se-enriched defatted rapeseed (Brassica napus, L.) diet.

Se-Enriched defatted rapeseed (Se-DRS), a by-product of rapeseed oil production, is high in Se. This study aimed to detect possible changes in Se-metabolism after Se-DRS consumption and to assess its suitability as a Se supplement in monogaster feed. In this experiment, rats were fed three types of diets differing in Se-form: soybean meal, Se-salt and Se-DRS. Potential differences in Se-metabolism were evaluated based on the total Se concentrations along with non-protein Se speciation patterns in the urine and blood serum of the rats. The total Se concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Se compounds in the samples were identified through high-performance liquid chromatography/ICP-MS. The total Se excretion rate was dose-dependent, and excess of dietary Se was eliminated in the form of Se-sugar 1, regardless of the administered Se-form. The excretion dynamics of dietary selenomethionine (soybean meal) and methylselenocysteine (Se-DRS) were different to that of the mineral Se (Se-salt). The proportions of Se species in the urine were significantly influenced by the Se source. A specific metabolic pathway, resulting in urinary excretion of Se-sugar 2, was observed in animals fed Se-DRS. Neither the total Se concentrations nor the serum Se speciation patterns differed between the animals fed the conventional diet and those fed the Se-DRS-enriched diet. Based on these results, Se-DRS can be considered a suitable Se supplement for monogaster nutrition in Se-deficient regions.

Bioaccessibility versus bioavailability of essential (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and toxic (Pb) elements from phyto hyperaccumulator Pistia stratiotes: potential risk of dietary intake.

Aquatic weeds are widely used as animal feed in developing countries. However, information about element bioavailability from these plants is lacking. A combination of an in vitro method [physiologically based extraction test (PBET)] and an in vivo feeding trial was used in this study to investigate potential element bioaccessibility and estimated bioavailability of Pistia stratiotes (PS). Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Pb concentrations in PS biomass, artificial gastrointestinal fluids, and rat tissues were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. PS exhibited elevated Fe, Mn, and Pb levels. The PBET revealed high bioaccessibility of all monitored elements from PS biomass. The results of the in vivo trial were inconsistent with those of the PBET, because animals fed PS exhibited low levels of essential elements in the tissues. The consumption of a PS-supplemented diet significantly decreased total Fe levels and increased the total level of accumulation of Pb in exposed animals. Significantly reduced amounts of essential elements in the intestinal walls indicated a potential disruption in nutrient gastrointestinal absorption in animals fed PS.