Hormonal and metabolic substrate status in response to exercise in men of different phenotype.

OBJECTIVES: The present study verified the effect of moderate-to-high-intensity aerobic exercise on the endocrine response profile and adipose tissue in young healthy men with different phenotype characteristics. DESIGN: Eighteen men were divided into three experimental groups with defined body components and specific physical fitness: Endurance phenotype - EP (n = 6; low body mass; low fat content; aerobic endurance trained), Athletic phenotype - AP (n = 6; high body mass; low fat content, resistance trained), Obesity phenotype - OP (n = 6; high body mass; high fat content, untrained). METHODS: The participants performed an progressive exercise protocol on a treadmill (30% VO2max, 50% VO2max, 70% VO2max), separated by 45 s of passive rest for blood collection. RESULTS: Plasma glucose oxidation increased in relation to exercise intensity, but to a greater extent in the AP group. The free fatty acids' plasma level decreased with a rise in exercise intensity, but with different kinetics in particular phenotypes. Plasma growth hormone increased after the cessation of exercise and was significantly higher in all groups 45 min into recovery compared to resting values. Plasma insulin decreased during exercise in all groups, but in the OP, the decrease was blunted. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the rate of lipolysis, hormonal and metabolic response to aerobic exercise depends on the individuals' phenotype. Thus, exercise type, duration and intensity have to be strictly individualized in relation to phenotype in order to reach optimal metabolic benefits.

A comparison of the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ivermectin after spring and autumn treatments against Cyathostominae in horses.

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ivermectin against Cyathostominae infections and to describe the drug's pharmacokinetic parameters during two seasonal deworming treatments in horses. The study was performed on warm-blooded mares aged 3-12 years weighing 450-550 kg. A single bolus of an oral paste formulation of ivermectin was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg BW in spring and autumn. Fecal samples were tested before treatment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 days after treatment. Ivermectin concentrations in blood samples collected before treatment, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after treatment, and 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 75 days after drug administration were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Drug absorption was significantly (p<0.05) slower (tmax: 21.89±11.43 h) in autumn than in spring (tmax: 9.78±8.97 h). Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of ivermectin in the blood plasma of individual horses (8.40-43.08 ng/ml) were observed 2-24 h after drug administration during the spring treatment and 2-36 h (6.43-24.86 ng/ml) after administration during the autumn treatment. Significantly higher (p<0.05) ivermectin concentrations were found during the first 4 hours after administration in spring in comparison with those determined after the autumn treatment. The administration of the recommended dose of ivermectin resulted in 100% elimination of parasitic eggs from feces in spring and autumn treatment.

Biochemical parameters in Japanese quails Coturnix coturnix japonica infected with coccidia and treated with Toltrazuril.

The activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin and cholesterol levels were determined in the blood serum of Japanese quails infected with coccidia and treated with Baycox (active ingredient: toltrazuril). Lower levels of AST and ALT activity were noted in treated birds regardless of the applied Baycox dose. The biochemical changes observed in the blood serum of Japanese quails point to coccidia-induced damage of digestive system tissues despite an absence of pronounced clinical symptoms. Significantly lower levels of AST activity and higher levels of LDH activity in treated birds indicate that coccidiosis treatment with toltrazuril contributed to the regeneration of digestive system tissues. An insignificant increase in cholesterol levels was noted, whereas the other serum biochemical parameters remained within the reference ranges.

Detection of Pentatrichomonas hominis in dogs using real-time PCR.

Trichomonadidae family is a protozoan occurring in different animal species. It inhabits the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. P. hominis is rarely found in faecal samples of dogs, and its identification and differentiation from other trichomonads by light microscopy are difficult. Methods of molecular biology are the most effective in this case, because they confirm the presence of the specific species in animal organisms, irrespective of the protozoan form. The aim of this study was to find P. hominis in selected dog kennels in North-Eastern Poland. Forty-one faecal samples of dogs from 7 dog kennels were examined. The occurrence of P. hominis in 5 faecal samples of dogs with no symptoms of diarrhoea was the first one to be confirmed in Poland.

Blood antioxidant status in road cyclists during progressive (VO2max) and constant cyclist intensity test (MLSS).

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different cycling intensities on the blood antioxidant status in seven road cyclists male (M) (age 25.6±4.9 years; height 1.8±0.0 m; body mass 72.4±3.4 kg, and VO2max 66.8±8.9 mL*kg-1*min-1) and six road cyclists females (F) (age 26.5±2.5 years; height 1.67 ±0.01 m; body mass 56.5±5.3 kg; and VO2max 57.2±4.1 mL*kg-1*min-1). METHODS: The experiment was carried out with two tests: a progressive test (VO2max) (TP), and a 30-minute submaximal steady state test (TMLSS). The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and creatine kinase, and the concentration of uric acid, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), blood lactate as well as total antioxidant potential, were assayed. RESULTS: Exercise significantly differentiated the activity and level of antioxidants. In both tests, after exercise a significant increase of CAT (P≤0.05) and CK (P≤0.05) activity was observed, as well as MDA (P≤0.05) level. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that neither the type of test (TP, TMLSS) nor the sex of the subjects exerted significant influence upon the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of low molecular weight antioxidants. Due to the workload in road cycling, where an average race or stage lasts a few hours, the 30-minute test was probably too weak a stimulus for the organism to disturb the pro- and antioxidative homeostasis.

Toltrazuril (Baycox) treatment against coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Coccidiosis is the most predominant parasitic disease affecting Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in commercial farms. Coccidiosis as a subclinical infection is difficult to diagnose without parasitological examinations. Oocysts of two Eimeria species, E. bateri and E. tsunodai, were determined in the analysed quail flock. Infected birds were administered Baycox 2.5% at the dose of: group I--7 mg toltrazuril/kg BW per day provided in drinking water (1.5 ml/0.5 1 H2O) that was available 24 h for 2 days, group II--14 mg/kg BW (3 ml/0.5 1 H2O), and group III-- 24.5 mg/kg BW (5 ml/0.5 1 H2O); in groups II and III, the solutions were available 8 h/24 h for 2 days. After the first day of the treatment, the number of excreted oocysts (OPG - oocysts per gram) increased, a steady decrease in oocyst counts began on the second day of Baycox administration and lasted until a three-day period when no oocyst were determined in faecal samples. Regardless of the dose applied, toltrazuril (Baycox) completely eliminated E. bateri coccidia and led to a highly significant reduction in the number of E. tsunodai oocysts. The results suggest that the effectiveness of toltrazuril varies depending on coccidia species and developmental stages of the parasite. From the clinical point of view, the treatment applied significantly reduces the number of coccidia oocysts in commercial flocks of Japanese quails.

A comparison of the effectiveness of the microscopic method and the multiplex PCR method in identifying and discriminating the species of Nosema spp. spores in worker bees (Apis mellifera) from winter hive debris.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the multiplex PCR method and traditional light microscopy in identifying and discriminating the species of Nosema spp. spores in worker bees from winter hive debris in the Province of Warmia and Mazury (NE Poland). A total of 1000 beesdead after from the bottom of the hive from bee colonies were analyzed. Spores were identified with the use of a light microscope (400-600x magnification). Spores were assigned to species by the multiplex PCR method. The microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of Nosema spp. spores in 803 samples (80.3%). Nosema ceranae spores were observed in 353 positive samples (43.96%), Nosema apis spores were found in 300 samples (37.35%), while 150 samples (19.67%) showed signs of a mixed infection. A multiplex PCR analysis revealed that 806 samples were infested with Nosema spp., of which 206 were affected only by Nosema ceranae, 600 showed signs of mixed invasion, while no samples were infected solely by Nosema apis parasites. In two cases, the presence of spores detected under a light microscope was not confirmed by the PCR analysis. The results of the study indicate that Nosema ceranae is the predominant parasitic species found in post-winter worker bees from the bottom of the hive in the region of Warmia and Mazury.

The influence of administering "effective microorganisms" to pullets on chosen haematological and biochemical blood indexes.

"Effective Microorganisms" (EM)--a mixture of lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts and fungi are used mainly in agriculture and organic waste treatment. Recently, they have also been added to water and feed for animals, as well as to processing their excrements into compost and to eliminate the stench. The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of a 14-day administration of an EM solution in drinking water to layer hens on chosen haematological and biochemical indexes. The research was carried out on 120 hens divided into two equal groups. The birds in the experimental group were given drinking water with dissolved EM (5% solution), and those in the control group--water without the preparation. On the 64th day of the aviculture, the hens were weighted and their blood was taken from the wing vein for haematological and biochemical examinations. Administering EM with water to hens did not influence significantly their body weight nor chosen haematological and biochemical indexes. A significant increase was found only in the number of platelets, the level of albumins, the content of total cholesterol and the LDH activity, however, a decrease in the ALT activity was observed.