Limited genetic diversity of Aerococcus viridans strains isolated from clinical and subclinical cases of bovine mastitis in Slovakia.

The Aerococcus viridans isolates from bovine mastitis in Slovakia were isolated and characterized by classical microbiological and biochemical, and molecular techniques including IGS-PCR and rep-PCR, ARDRA and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The substantial variability of antibiotic resistance patterns was observed. The majority of strains were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, the resistance to tetracycline was observed in 3 tested strains, resistance to lincomycin was found in 4 strains and practically all tested strains were sensitive to neomycin and ciprofloxacin. While variable at a phenotypic level, no significant genetic variability among A. viridans isolates was detected by molecular DNA based methods. The data obtained suggest that a few A. viridans strains spread among cow's population in Slovak farms.

Establishment of Lactobacillus plantarum strain in honey bee digestive tract monitored using gfp fluorescence.

Lactic acid bacteria are symbiotic bacteria that naturally reside in the gastrointestinal tract of honey bees. They serve a multitude of functions and are considered beneficial and completely harmless. In our experiments Lactobacillus plantarum strain B35, isolated from honey bee digestive tract, was modified using pAD43-25 plasmid carrying a functional GFP gene sequence (gfpmut3a) and used as a model for monitoring and optimisation of the mode of application. The establishment of this strain in honey bee digestive tract was monitored using GFP fluorescence. Three different modes of oral application of this strain were tested: water suspension of lyophilised bacteria, aerosol application of these bacteria and consumption of sugar honey paste containing the lyophilised lactobacilli. Two days after administration the L. plantarum B35-gfp was present throughout the honey bee digestive tract with 104-105 cfu/bee with highest count observed for aerosol application.

Toxic effects of cadmium on testis of birds and mammals: a review.

In humans and other mammals, cadmium (Cd) causes various damages to different organs and tissues of the body. This review presents a comprehensive overview on the effect of Cd on the structure of seminiferous tubules, Leydig cells and blood vessels in the testis. The main observation of the effect of Cd is destruction of the seminiferous tubules with severe necrotic areas. Damage is to all stages of developing germ cells by inducing their structural changes and the apoptotic cell death. Sertoli supporting cells are considered the most vulnerable cells. Their damage results in cytoplasmic rearrangement and disruption of inter-Sertoli tight junctions resulting in increased permeability of the blood-testis barrier, structural changes in the Leydig cells and decreased testosterone secretion. After long time of Cd exposure an increase of the amount of interstitial connective tissue occurs. In blood vessels Cd exposure causes various morphological and physiological changes in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. In humans and other mammals, the range of effect depends on the dose, route, ways, and duration of exposure. After necrosis of the sensitive cells Cd produced lesions in surrounding tissue and activate free cells. Atrophy of the seminiferous tubules is followed by Leydig cell regeneration and interstitial revascularization. In birds, spermatogenic cells underwent irreversible degeneration or atrophy of seminiferous tubules in the absence of significant vascular lesions.

Effect of chloridazone on the animal organism.

The acute toxic effect of the herbicide chloridazone and mitochondrial respiration were investigated and typical clinical signs of intoxication were described in rats (Wistar), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and sheep (Slovak Merino). The LD50 of chloridazone was calculated to be for rats 800 mg/kg bw (range 552 to 1160 mg/kg bw) and for pheasants 3684 mg/kg bw (range 1768 to 7677 mg/kg bw). According to WHO chloridazone is moderately toxic for rats and slightly toxic for pheasants. The LD50 for sheep is 161 mg/kg bw (range 76 to 340 mg/kg bw). Chloridazone thus presents an acute risk for ruminants, which is in coincidence with the WHO classification characterising it as a very toxic compound. The following clinical features of intoxication were observed after p.o. administration of chloridazone: apathy, dyspnoea, hyperventilation, hypersalivation (sheep - foam hypersalivation), paralysis, tonic-clonic convulsions and death in clonic convulsions. Very quick rigor mortis. Chloridazone interfered with mitochondrial respiration in the liver of rats yet its mode of action was different from that of succinate substrate or glutamate-malate. Succinate dependent respiration was significantly decreased in both states (3 and 4) of respiration. Glutamate-malate respiration was not changed in state 4, though it significantly increased in state 3 after ADP administration. RCP (respiration control proportion) value was increased on using either of the substances.

Chronic influence of pyrethroid supermethrin on some reproductive features in Japanese quail (140 days long avian reproduction test).

We observed the influence of chronic effect of pyrethroid supermethrin on some reproduction features in Japanese quails. They received 3 different doses (P1 10.7 mg.kg-1.day-1; P2 21.4 mg.kg-1.day-1 and P3 35.7 mg.kg-1.day-1) of the tested substance during 20 weeks. The total health status, reproduction of Japanese quails, the damage rate (degree) of the organs and tissues as well as the determination of residue in the eggs and muscles of the experimental birds showed that pyrethroid insecticide supermethrin can be considered a safe pesticide.

The importance of lymphocyte micronucleus test for the detection of genotoxic events.

DNA lesion induced by xenobiotics is implemented either through direct interaction of the chemical with DNA through covalent binding or intercalation, or indirectly, through interference with the processes of DNA replication and repair, interaction with proteins, nuclease release from lysosomes etc. The present study emphasizes that the assessment of genotoxic risk arising from xenogenous substances demands the development of sensitive, direct and more exact genotoxic testing methods. One of them is micronucleus assay. It is a simple and quick test for investigating of cytogenic damage with the advantage that exposure to both clastogens and aneugens may be detected.

[Changes in the amino acid levels in hydrolysates of bacteria adhering to the rumen in sheep during feeding with high and low nitrogen diets]. / Zmeny v zastúpení aminokyselín v hydrolyzátoch baktérií adherovaných na stenu bachora oviec pri skrmovaní diéty s nízkym a vysokým obsahom dusíka.

The effects of low and high nitrogen diets on amino acid levels were studied in hydrolyzates of ruminal bacteria adhered to four topographically different anatomic parts of the ruminal wall (dorsal, ventral and caudal parts as well as reticulum) in 18 sheep + of the Slovak Merino breed divided into three experimental groups. The epimural bacteria of the dorsal and ventral parts of the ovine rumen revealed the most sensitive reaction to the varying amounts of nitrogen ingested with the diet. In hydrolyzates of ruminal bacteria adhered to the dorsal and ventral epithelium, 15 and 14 amino acids were changing (Figs. 1, 2). In hydrolyzates of epimural bacteria, a sensitive reaction was observed in the following amino acids: alanine, histidine, thyroxin, arginine and proline (Tabs. I-IV). In all topographical and anatomical parts of the rumen, both alanine and histidine levels in hydrolyzates of epimural ruminal bacteria significantly increased with the diet with high-nitrogen content fed, but was falling in sheep fed with low-nitrogen diet. Changes in alanine concentrations may be explained by the fact that alanine forms a part of the mechanism for short-time storage of ammonia in bacterial cells (Bartos, 1987). The fact that alanine is in its lack deaminated to pyruvate (Havassy, 1976) is explained by significant fall in alanine contained in hydrolyzates of bacterial proteins when fed low nitrogen diets. Significant fall in alanine in shortage of amino acid bound nitrogen can be explained by the fact that under these conditions, the alanine skeleton is being incorporated in to 80% of amino acids synthetized de novo by ruminal bacteria (Syväoja and Kreula, 1980). When sheep flock was fed the high-nitrogen diet, thyroxin and proline levels were significantly reduced in hydrolyzates of epimural bacteria from all parts of the rumen, while low-nitrogen diet significantly increased the concentrations of both given amino acids in comparison with the control. Bartos (1987) gives in his study the table containing weight representation of different amino acids in proteins of bacteria of the ruminal content compiled on the basis of data of several authors. These data principally correspond to the results of our measurements in hydrolyzates of epimural bacteria. The highest weight representation of amino acids in hydrolyzates of epimural bacteria was found for glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine, while the lowest ones were detected for thyroxin, proline and phenylalanine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Changes in amino acid levels in bacteria adhering to rumen epithelium in sheep after oral administration of very low doses of mercury]. / Zmena koncentrácií aminokyselín v baktériach adherovaných na epitel bachora oviec po perorálnej zátazi organizmu extrémne nízkymi dávkami ortute.

The effect of low concentrations of mercury taken in the diet (4 mg per a head and day) on the amino acid composition in the proteins of rumen bacteria adhering to the dorsal and ventral parts of the rumen was studied in six sheep. Though the mercury did not influence the amino acid concentration in hydrolyzates of epimural bacteria, low-mercury doses caused significant changes of some amino acids, as compared with the control group of animals. The levels of alanine, histidine, threonine, serine and glycine were significantly decreased and at the same time the levels of proline, valine, isoleucine, tyrosine, lysine and phenylalanine were significantly increased. It was stated in our experiment that the levels of histidine, alanine and threonine in hydrolyzates of epimural bacteria of the rumen were significantly decreased both in the sheep given the balanced feed ration with additions of mercury and nitrogen (according to the standard) and in the sheep given a low-nitrogen diet. Similarly, the levels of proline, tyrosine and phenylalanine in the hydrolizates of epimural bacteria in rumen were significantly increased both with the low-nitrogen diet and in the normal -nitrogen diet with mercury supplement. The results suggest that unexplained disorders frequently occurring in the microbial synthesis in the rumen might be caused by long-continued administration of feed contaminated with extremely low concentrations of heavy metals. The problem deserves detailed investigation in future studies, oriented to explaining the biosynthesis disorders in rumen, reducing the production ability of ruminants.

[Levels of mercury in the organs and tissues of sheep after administration of very low doses]. / Koncentrácie ortute v orgánoch a tkanivách oviec po zátazi organizmu extrémne nízkymi jej dávkami.

Experiments were carried out with six sheep of the Slovak Merino breed, weighing 22-28 kg. For 28 days the animals were given 4 mg inorganic Hg2+ in the feed per animal/day. In contrast with the controls, the following residual mercury concentrations were determined in the single organs and tissues: liver 1.580 +/- 0.326 mg.kg-1 Hg2+ and 0.091 +/- 0.014 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, respectively muscle 0.064 +/- 0.009 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, and 0.026 +/- 0.006 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, resp. spleen 0.142 +/- 0.025 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, and 0.022 +/- 0.010 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, resp. kidney 9.054 +/- 3.794 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, and 0.128 +/- 0.080 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, resp. (Fig. 1), abomasal contents 0.309 +/- 0.069 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, and 0.021 +/- 0.007 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, resp. large intestinal contents 0.267 +/- 0.058 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, and 0.043 +/- 0.004 mg.kg-1 Hg2+, resp. The results suggest that the long-term ingestion of mercury with feed leads to a pronounced Hg accumulation in the kidneys and liver. Much lower levels were observed in the muscle tissue and spleen. The affinity of mercury to the kidney and liver is probably related to the preferential bonds of organic mercury compounds to the SH- groups of the plasma proteins in these organs. It is the bond to the sulphydryl groups of proteins that results in the inhibition of proteosynthesis and thus enzyme and antibody inhibition. Under the conditions of continuing chemical contamination of the environment, a permanent supply of low concentrations of heavy metals the animal organism is observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of emissions from a mercury-processing metallurgy plant on the intensity of experimental Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep]. / Vplyv imisií z kovohút na výrobu ortuti na intenzitu experimentálnej infekcie Fasciola hepatica u oviec.

A group of 14 improved Valashka lambs, aged 4 months, body weight 14-16 kg, were used in the experiment studying the effect of subchronic heavy metal intoxication on the course of experimental fasciolosis (Fasciola hepatica). The animals were divided into two groups, each of 7 lambs, 3 lambs--ewes and 4 lambs--rams. Each animal in group I was given orally for 27 days gelatinous capsules containing heavy metal emissions of the following composition: 4.5 mg Hg, 2.9 mg Pb, 147.8 mg Cu, 9.8 mg Zn, 0.9 mg Cr and 0.04 mg Cd per animal and day. Group II served as control. On Day 27, when the administration of heavy metals ceased, each animal in both groups received 250 F. hepatica metacercariae. The animals were sacrificed on Day 110 post infection, their liver necropsied and parenchymatous organs and muscles taken to examine the content of heavy metals. The heavy metal concentrations are presented in Tab. I. In the emission-intoxicated group, the maximum permissible reference level of mercury in the kidneys, liver and muscles was exceeded on the average by 1.94, 0.87 and 0.020 mg Hg/kg, respectively. Cu exceeded the reference level only in the liver, with 261.3 mg Cu/kg. In the kidneys and muscles, Cu was below the reference levels. An analogous situation was with Zn, Cr, and Cd. The F. hepatica infection mean intensity in this animal group was 38.3 +/- 3.01 specimens (min. 34 - max. 46 specimens). In control group, the heavy metal levels were several times lower than the reference values and the infection mean intensity was 27 +/- 5.4 (min. 19 - max. 35 specimens). In subchronically intoxicated animals, the reference values for mercury were exceeded and so were partially those of copper in the parenchymatous organs and muscles. The F. hepatica infection mean intensity also increased, compared with control. The results have proved the negative effect of the metal emissions on the animal immune system, which was manifested by the increased infection intensity.

[Complications during myelographic examination in dogs]. / Výskyt komplikácií pri myelografickom vysetrení psov.

The occurrence of spinal disease in dogs is quite frequent. Clinical examination and survey radiography do not allow to make an exact diagnosis in many cases. Therefore the radiographic method-myelograhy is used to make an exact diagnosis and to locate the pathological process in the spinal cord. Myelography can be accompanied by some complications caused by a contrast medium of anaesthesia. In this study, the occurrence of complications was evaluated when the contrast medium Dimer X and three types of general anaesthesia were used: xylazine-ketamine, chlorpromazine-piritramide, chlorpromazine-pentobarbital. Certain relations between the origin of complications, dog weight and total time of anaesthesia are indicated. The results obtained show that the highest number of cases with complicated regeneration was observed after the use of the combination xylazine-ketamine when the average duration of anesthesia was 31.1 minutes comparing to the combination chlorpromazine-pentobarbitale with average duration of anaesthesia was 127.7 minutes with the lowest number of complications. We also refer to certain relations between weight and the occurrence of complications where the highest correlation (r = 0.59) was recorded for xylazine-ketamine anaesthesia. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.27) for chlorpromazine-pentobarbital documents very low correlations of the followed values.

[Selective electrochemical method of quantitative determination of chlorides in biological material]. / Selektívna elektrochemická metóda kvantitatívneho stanovenia chlorido v biologickom materiáli.

An experiment was made to test the possibility of the quantitative analysis of chlorides in biological material by the modern potentiometric method using an ion-selective electrode. The results were compared with the current practical methods--polarography and photometry. The results demonstrate the suitability and benefits of the use of the ion-selective electrode, mainly in the series determination of Cl- ion concentration in biological material. The expediency of the tested analytical method and its well-reproducible results demonstrate the advantages of the ion-selective method in the analysis of chlorides in biological material, as compared with the polarographic and photometric methods.

[Levels of mercury in samples of bees and honey from areas with and without industrial contamination]. / Koncentrácia ortute vo vzorkách vciel a medu, pochádzajúcich z priemyselne exponovanej a neexponovanej oblasti.

Increasing numbers of specialists have been concerned with the problem of friendly environment in relation to man as well as to farm and wild animals. Greater interest in the biological monitoring of environment and ecosystem contamination can be observed. Determination of residues of organic and inorganic substances in bees (Apis mellifera) and in their products is one of effective possibilities of environmental pollution monitoring. Our work was aimed at the study of mercury levels in bees and their products. Mercury levels were determined in the head, abdomen and thorax of bees (Apis mellifera) from 20 bee populations coming from industrially contaminated areas with a dominant load of mercury (10 populations) and from uncontaminated areas. Mercury levels were determined simultaneously in honey coming from both contaminated and uncontaminated areas. The following mercury levels were found in bees from the contaminated area: heads 0.029-0.385 mg/kg, thorax 0.028-0.595 mg/kg and abdomen 0.083-2.255 mg/kg. Mercury levels in samples from uncontaminated areas ranged from 0.004 to 0.024 mg/kg in the heads, from 0.004 to 0.008 mg/kg in the thorax and from 0.008 to 0.020 mg/kg in the abdomen. In honey samples from the contaminated and uncontaminated areas mercury levels ranged from 0.050 to 0.212 mg/kg and from 0.001 to 0.003 mg/kg, respectively. The results of sample analyses for mercury loads in bees and honey from both contaminated and uncontaminated areas are given in Tab. I. Mean mercury levels in the single parts of the body in Apis mellifera and in honey from contaminated and uncontaminated areas are given in Figs. 1, 2, 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of Bentazone, a Czechoslovak developmental herbicide, on health status indicators in sheep during subchronic poisoning]. / Vplyv ceskoslovenského vývojového herbicídu bentazón na niektoré ukazovatele zdravotného stavu oviec v podmienkach subchronickej intoxikácie.

A three-month feeding trial was conducted with sheep of the Slovak Merino breed (13-14 months of age, males and females) as a part of the obligatory toxicological tests of the Czechoslovak developmental herbicide bentazone (Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Bratislava). Partial results are shown describing the action of this herbicide on the overall health of sheep with respect to weight gains, trias values and intrauterine foetus development. The sheep of the first experimental group were fed bentazone as an additive to molasses feed M at a daily rate of 195 mg/kg lwt. (1/10 from LD50), and the sheep of the second group were fed a rate of 97.5 mg/kg lwt. (1/20 from LD50). No symptoms of the toxic effects of bentazone were observed in the course of the experiment. There were no differences between the experimental and test animals in the dynamics of pulse value changes (Fig. 1), breathing value changes (Fig. 2) and body temperature value changes (Fig. 3) from the beginning till the end of the trial. A slight increase in the pulse and breathing values above the upper reference value observed in the experimental groups in the last two to three weeks of the trial cannot be associated with the bentazone action. This increase reflects the physiological condition of the animals in the given conditions because the identical changes were also found in the control group. We assume that the changes were evoked by the elevated temperature of the external environment due to the fact that the sheep were not sheared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Elution of bacteria adhering to the epithelium in the rumen in sheep and their detection using electron microscopy]. / Elúcia baktérií adherovaných na epitel bachora oviec a ich elektrónovomikroskopický dôkaz.

A method of preparing the pure concentrate of epithelium-adherent bacteria in sheep rumen was worked out and it was tested in 24 samples of the rumen wall, obtained from 12 slaughtered sheep. The purity of the bacterial eluate was checked by transmission electron microscopy and negative staining, followed by electron-microscopic evaluation. Besides bacterial cells no residues of feed, epithelium and other undesirable impurities were found out in the eluate. The percent yield of this method was determined by scanning electron microscopy and it made 93.3%. An isolated pure concentrate of the mixture of bacterial cultures, previously adhered to the rumen epithelium, was prepared which can be used for morphological and biochemical studies of this interesting group of rumen bacteria.

[The effect of bentazone manufactured in Czechoslovakia on the synthesis of bacterial proteins in the rumen of sheep]. / Vplyv bentazónu cs. výroby na syntézu bakteriálnych proteínov v bachore oviec.

The effect of the perorally ingested pesticide bentazone (195 mg.kg-1) of Czechoslovak origin on the amino acid composition of proteins of bacteria adhering to the ventral and dorsal ruminal wall investigated in six sheep. Proteosynthesis of adherent bacteria was studied by a modified and quantified elution method (elution of bacteria by an isotonic buffered solution at 4 degrees C). By the latter, a concentrate of undamaged bacteria a adhering to the sheep ruminal epithelium could be obtained. The yield of the method was estimated by scanning electrone microscopy and it was 93.3% (Legáth et al., 1990). The high correlation coefficient (r = 0.94, p < 0.01) suggested that in comparison with the control group of sheep, bentazone in the diet did not have a marked effect on the amount of amino acids in hydrolyzates of bacteria adhering to the dorsal and ventral ruminal epithelium. From the analysis of the single amino acids, it however follows that bentazone in the feeding ration caused significant changes in the concentrations of some amino acids in the proteins of bacteria adhering to the epithelium in the ventral and dorsal part of the rumen (p < 0.05) (Tab. I, II). In both topographico-anatomical parts of the rumen phenylalanine levels significantly increased whereas those of alanine and glycine decreased (Fig. 1). Pesticides can be one of the factors that negatively affect the biosynthetic processes in the rumen of ruminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Biochemical aspects of the toxic effects of Supermethrin in a 140-day avian reproductive test]. / Biochemické aspekty toxického úcinku supermetrínu v podmienkach chronického 140-dnového aviárneho reprodukcného testu.

Chronic toxic effects of supermethrin on some biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, LDH, creatinine and total proteins) were investigated in 84 individuals of Japanese quail divided into four groups (control-K, experimental group I-P1, experimental group II-P2, experimental group III-P3) in the conditions of 140-day avian reproductive test. The three experimental groups received the tested substance at these doses: P1-10.7 mg/kg l.w./day, P2-21.4 mg/kg l.w./day, P3-35.7 mg/kg l.w./day. The results of observation of the enzyme activities AST and ALT show that only the AST activity (in the course of 140-day avian reproductive test) significantly increased to 1.225 mu kat/l in the females of experimental group P1, to 1.053 mu kat/l in P2 and to 1.014 mu kat/l in P3 against the control, in which the AST activity was 0.670 mu kat/l. The values of AST activity in the males were 1.143 mu kat/l in P1, 1.117 mu kat/l in P2 and 1.090 mu kat/l in P3 against the control 0.8395 mu kat/l. The investigation of variations in total LDH activity in Japanese quail after 140-day avian reproductive test has shown an increase in the LDH activity in the males (11.193 mu kat/l in P1, 11.269 mu kat/l in P2, 8.245 mu kat/l in P3 and 7.362 mu kat/l in K) as well as in the females (10.91 mu kat/l in P1, 12.023 mu kat/l in P2, 10.196 mu kat/l in P3 and 7.055 mu kat/l in K).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Heavy metal poisoning in relation to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in sheep erythrocytes]. / Intoxikácia tazkými kovmi vo vztahu k aktivite glukóza-6-fosfát dehydrogenázy v erytrocytoch oviec.

Peroxidative lesions of cells and production of free radicals from endo- and exogenous reasons, eg. due to air pollution, can result in severe lesions of cells and subsequent pathological processes (Rieger, 1992; Robbins and Cotran, 1988). A pentose cycle plays an important role in the system of antioxidative protection: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD; EC 1.1.1.49) is its first enzyme. G-6-PD activity was evaluated in the erythrocytes of sheep kept in the region contaminated by heavy metals with mercury dominating among them, and in the same animals after administration of a feed mixture containing Hg, Pb Cd, Zn Cr, Cu, Fe and As (Fig. 1). Boehringer Mannheim test was used to determine the G-6-PD activity. There was no significant differences in the enzyme activity in the sheep from a contaminated region and in the animals outside the air-pollution region (control animals) before the applications of heavy metals started. The average value of G-6-PD activity was 13.96 +/- 0.94 mU.10 (-9) Ec in control animals and 14.39 +/- 1.49 mU.10 (-9) Ec in the animals from a contaminated region. After eight-day applications of heavy metals the G-6-PD activity increased statistically significantly to 18.71 +/- 2.45 mU.10 (-9) Ec; P < 0.01, and to 23.55 +/- 1.87 mU 10 (-9) Ec after 16 days of application; P < 0.001 (Fig. 2). An increase in G-6-PD activity after heavy metal applications is probably a compensation mechanism in the system of erythrocyte antioxidative protection due to higher peroxidation. The long term increased intake of heavy metals from polluted air did not lead to any rise of G-6-PD activity probably due to the lower dose of heavy metals and/or to adaptation of animal organisms to long run emission exposure. The results demonstrate that G-6-PD can be one of the biochemical indicators at organism load by heavy metals with mercury dominating among them.

Acute oral toxicity of the herbicide BUREX EKO in pheasants.

The aim of this study was to determine the acute LD50, clinical symptoms and pathological changes of acute BUREX EKO intoxication in pheasants according to OECD No 205. Medium lethal dose (LD50) of BUREX EKO in pheasant is 3.84 ml/kg body weight with the upper level of reliability 4.50 ml and lower level of reliability 3.27 ml/kg body weight. As far as the calculation to the effective substance is concerned it is 1077 mg of chloridazone per kg body weight with the interval of reliability from 919 to 1263 mg/kg body weight. Calculated the effective substance of chloridazone (3.84 ml is LD50 of BUREX EKO which contains 1077 mg of chloridazone) BUREX EKO can be classified as the moderately toxic substance to pheasants. There were following clinical symptoms of the BUREX EKO intoxication in pheasants: apathy, drowsiness, incapability to move, ruffled feathers, slight diarrhoea, strenuous respiration, tonico-clonical cramps before death, decease with the head expressively bent rearwards. There was a relatively fast beginning of rigor mortis in dead pheasants. Pathologico-anatomical dissection of the pheasants obtained under conditions of acute intoxication did not reveal any changes on the organs of both experimental and control pheasants which would be immediately connected with the effect of the administered substance. Hyperaemia was recorded by histologico-pathological investigation of the liver and kidneys. No changes on the brain and intestine wall were recorded.

[The effect of supermethrin, an insecticide, on health status indicators in sheep during subchronic poisoning]. / Vplyv insekticídu supermetrín na niektoré ukazovatele zdravotného stavu oviec v podmienkach subchronickej intoxikácie.

The effect of supermethrin on the overall health with respect to weight gains, diet intake, triad values (body temperature, pulse rate and breathing rate) and potential intoxication signs was investigated in sheep of the Slovak Mertino breed (age of 8 months, males and females) during 6-week feeding of the insecticide supermethrin (Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Bratislava). This insecticide supermethrin contains a cyanide group in its molecule and can be included in the group of type II pyrethroids. It is an analog of cypermethrin and it has a different proportion of cis- and trans-isomers. Supermethrin mixed with molasses feed M was administered daily at a dose of 50 mg/kg (about 1/70 of LD50) to five sheep of experimental group I, at a dose of 200 mg/kg (about 1/15 of LD50) to five sheep of experimental group II, and the dose increased from 200 mg to 300 mg/kg l.w. (about 1/20 of LD50) since the fourth week of trial. The main signs of its toxic action involved depressive effects on weight gains (Fig. 4) Over the whole period of trial, the live weight rose by 5.44 +/- 1.94 kg in control group, by 2.66 +/- 1.48 kg in experimental group I, which equates a significant decrease by 51.10% and only 0.34 +/- 0.95 kg in experimental group II, which equates a decrease in weight gains by up to 93.75% against the control. We do not believe that the growth depression can be related to diet intake. There were no larger differences in feed intake between the experimental groups and the control. The growth depression was caused by incessant diarrhea. The patho-morphological examination did not reveal hyperemia and/or intestinal inflammation, the histological examination did not show any lesions of epithelium in the intestinal mucosa. An increase in supermethrin dose from 200 to 300 mg/kg l.w. resulted in signs coming from the CNS. Hypersensibility manifested by moderate unrest, head and neck shaking after auditory, and especially after touch stimuli was observed. This tremor was increasing to became spontaneous 3-4 days before trial termination. The above findings clearly suggest that supermethrin administration at lower doses has harmful effects primarily on the digestive tract, but at higher doses these effects are more intensive accompanied by the effects on the CNS. No negative effects on pulse rate (Fig. 1), breathing rate (Fig. 2) and internal body temperature (Fig. 3) were recorded.