Effects of season and sex on the concentrations of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in captive and free-ranging endangered mountain gazelles ().

Introduction: The aim of our study was to measure fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations in captive and free-ranging male and female mountain gazelles () during their circannual cycle. In addition, FGM concentrations were used to track the intensity of the adrenocortical response in mountain gazelles during the same period.

Methods: Fecal samples were collected from the ground in the Hatay Mountain Gazelle Wildlife Development Area in the Hatay Province of Türkiye (36°32' N, 36°32' E) in each season of the year (December, April, July, September).

Stress in wildlife: comparison of the stress response among domestic, captive, and free-ranging animals.

The stress response, which involves joint activity of the nervous and endocrine systems, is one of the basic adaptive mechanisms that ensures the survival of the individual. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis enables organisms to respond to endogenous and exogenous challenges. Repeated short-term stress leads to long-term stress, which disrupts physiological homeostasis.

Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Skin Surface Temperature and Vein Diameter in Healthy Racehorses with Clipped and Non-Clipped Coat.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on skin surface temperature and vein diameter in the carpal joint region in racehorses with clipped and non-clipped treatment areas. The study included 20 Thoroughbreds split into two equal groups: clipped coat and non-clipped coat. Horses underwent thermographic examination to detect changes in skin surface temperature at the medial surface of the carpal joint, followed by ultrasonographic examination to assess changes in the diameter of the medial palmar vein before and after HILT.

Evaluation of Shiitake Mushroom () Supplementation on the Blood Parameters of Young Thoroughbred Racehorses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of shiitake mushroom () supplementation on the hematology and biochemical blood parameters of young Thoroughbred racehorses. The study was conducted with 20 horses divided into two groups: the supplemented and the control group. The supplemented group was given 30 g of daily for four months.

Health Status and Stress in Different Categories of Racing Pigeons.

The influence of different stress parameters in racing pigeon flocks, such as the presence of diseases and environmental conditions at the time of the races, were described. A total of 96 racing pigeons from 4 pigeon flocks were examined, and health monitoring was carried out. No helminth eggs and coccidia were found.

Inflammation and its association with oxidative stress in dogs with heart failure.

Background: Inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to the development and progression of heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the association between inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). Associations between the disease severity marker N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were also determined.

Short communication: Heat treatment and souring do not affect milk estrone and 17β-estradiol concentrations.

The aim of our study was to establish whether heat treatment and souring of milk affect its estrone (E1) and 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations. Milk samples were collected from 10 Holstein cows in late pregnancy. Concentrations of E1 and E2 were measured in milk samples that were previously heated to 70 and 95°C for 5 min.

Does closantel in therapeutic doses display thyroid hormone-like activity in sheep?

The aim of this study was to define the thyroid hormone-like activity of closantel in sheep by measuring some blood parameters that are known to be influenced by thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Our hypothesis was that, if closantel possesses thyroid hormone-like activity, its use under in vivo conditions will result in changes similar to those in hyperthyroidism. The study was conducted in 20 Jezersko-Solchava breed sheep.

Fluctuations of serum cortisol, insulin and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations in growing ewes over the year.

Background: The physiological levels of endocrine and metabolic parameters in Slovene autochthonous breeds of sheep are not yet well known, nor are the mechanisms of their adaptability and responses to climate and environmental factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate fluctuations of cortisol, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in growing ewes over an one-year period. Blood samples were collected monthly from 10 yearling Jezersko-Solchava, 10 Bovec and 10 Istrian ewes.

Long-term leptin fluctuations in female donkeys.

Reasons For Performing Study: The interest in donkeys is growing due to their integration in the systems of ecological farming, among other reasons.

Objectives: Due to limited reports on leptin concentrations in donkeys, the aim of the present study was to examine age-dependent and seasonal changes in the circulating leptin concentration in female donkeys (jennies) and thus contribute to knowledge about the physiological characteristics of this species.

Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Serum cortisol and haematological, biochemical and antioxidant enzyme variables in horse blood sampled in a slaughterhouse lairage, immediately before stunning and during exsanguination.

The aim of the study was to determine changes of serum cortisol and biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme variables in the blood of horses sampled during the pre-slaughter period (in the lairage and in the stunning box) and during exsanguination. A total of 24 Slovenian warm-blooded horses were observed. Blood samples for determination of serum cortisol and biochemical, haematological (red blood cell count, haematocrit, haemaglobin concentration) and antioxidant enzyme (whole blood superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) variables were collected by venipuncture of the left jugular vein in the lairage pen, 60 min before stunning (lairage) and immediately before stunning (stunning box).

Serum leptin concentrations in Lipizzan fillies.

To determine seasonal changes in circulating leptin concentrations, as well as leptin fluctuations in various patterns of seasonal ovarian activity, blood samples were taken in 107 Lipizzan fillies aged 1-4 years over the whole year from January to December. Serum concentrations were measured in samples obtained once a month (leptin) or twice a month (progesterone), and evaluated with respect to the age of animals (yearlings, 2-, 3- and 4-year olds) and the pattern of ovarian activity (anoestrous, seasonal cycle, prolonged cyclicity, continuous cyclicity). The mean and monthly leptin concentrations in 3- and 4-year olds were significantly higher than in yearlings and 2-year olds (p < 0.

Onset of puberty and duration of seasonal cyclicity in Lipizzan fillies.

Reasons For Performing Study: The onset of puberty and duration of seasonal cyclicity in Lipizzan fillies and young mares have been determined mostly by empirical data, but very little is known about the hormonal changes at puberty and during the seasonal cyclicity in this breed.

Objectives: To determine the onset of puberty and the course of the cyclicity in young Lipizzan mares from age 1-4 years.

Methods: Blood samples were collected twice a month for 2 years from 46 Lipizzan fillies age 1-4 years.

Establishment of a pregnancy following intravaginal insemination with epididymal semen from a dog castrated due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed in an American Staffordshire Terrier of high breeding value presenting concurrent haematuria. Castration as a treatment was synchronized with the oestrus cycle of a bitch selected for insemination. After castration the cauda epididymis was flushed with Gent semen extender and collected spermatozoa were filtered and analysed by Hamilton Thorn computer assisted sperm analysis.

The variations of white blood cell count in Lipizzan horses.

Total and differential leucocyte counts (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) were measured in 140 stallions, 101 mares and 25 foals of Lipizzan breed. The values fell in the normal ranges for warm-blooded horses. Differences between mares and stallions were not significant with the exception of foals, having higher white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and basophil values in females than in males.

Postnatal hypothyroidism does not affect prepubertal testis development in boars.

Young boars were treated with propiothiouracil to induce hypothyroidism to examine its effects on postnatal testicular development. Treatments with 0.1% 4-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in drinking water started after weaning, at 3 weeks of age and all boars were severely hypothyroid at 6 weeks of age as determined by measuring T3 and T4 in blood plasma.

The influence of age and gender on haematological parameters in Lipizzan horses.

Haematological parameters [red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)] in resting Lipizzan horses were determined for 143 stallions, 104 mares and 25 foals. The mean RBC and WBC values in Lipizzans were in the lower part of the normal range for warm-blooded horses. The mean PCV, MCV and MCH values were higher, but the mean haemoglobin concentration and MCHC values were lower than reported for other warm-blooded horses.

Serum T3 and T4 concentrations in the adult rats treated with herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

The influence of sublethal doses of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on serum T3 and T4 concentrations in Hsd Cpb: Wistar rats of both sexes was studied. The trial was performed on 24 males and females respectively, each divided into three groups of 8 animals (control, groups 1 and 2). Aqueous solution of the compound (11 mg/kg body weight--group 1 and 110 mg/kg body weight--group 2) or clean tap water (control group) was used.

Serum T3 and T4 concentrations in the adult rats treated with herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

The influence of sublethal doses of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on serum T3 and T4 concentrations in Hsd Cpb: Wistar rats of both sexes was studied. The trial was performed on 24 males and females respectively, each divided into three groups of 8 animals (control, groups 1 and 2). Aqueous solution of the compound (11 mg/kg body weight - group 1 and 110 mg/kg body weight - group 2) or clean tap water (control group) was used.