First molecular identification of Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae), a blood-sucking gastric nematode of artiodactyles, in the ground beetle Carabus granulatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae).

Among gastrointestinal nematodes, Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi) Cobb (order Strongylidae; family Trichostrongylidae) is one of pathogenic and economic importance in domestic and wild ruminants, including the European bison, Bison bonasus Linnaeus (order Cetartiodactyla; family Bovidae); a species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. Carabus granulatus Linnaeus (order Coleoptera; family Carabidae) is one of the most prevalent species of ground beetle, inhabiting a wide range of terrestrial ecosystems in Poland. Twenty-six ground beetles of this species inhabiting the Białowieża Primeval Forest in eastern Poland were screened for the presence of DNA of pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants.

Constant luminance (cd·s/m) versus constant retinal illuminance (Td·s) stimulation in flicker ERGs.

Purpose: To compare the effect of variable pupil size on the flicker electroretinogram (ERG) between a stimulus having constant luminance and a stimulus having constant retinal illuminance (constant Troland) that compensates for pupil size.

Methods: Subjects (n = 18) were tested with 12 pairs of the stimuli. The stimulus pair consisted of the ISCEV standard constant luminance stimulus (3 cd·s/m with a 30 cd/m background) and a constant retinal illuminance stimulus (32 Td·s with a 320 Td background) selected to provide the same stimulus and background when the pupil diameter is 3.

Mechanism of phytoestrogens action in reproductive processes of mammals and birds.

Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic compounds that occur ubiquitously in food of plant origin and they have a variety of biological effects in numerous animal cell systems in vivo as well in vitro. Results of studies conducted on animals have shown that effects of phytoestrogens vary depending on species, sex, routes of administration, dose and exposure time. This review summarizes the results of ours studies concerning: 1/ molecular mechanism of phytoestrogen action in porcine granulosa cells, 2/ the involvement of phytoestrogens in immunological regulations of bovine corpus luteum function during luteolysis, 3/ genistein action on metabotropic hormones and lipid-carbohydrate metabolism in rats during pregnancy, 4/ the effects of phytoestrogens on reproductive processes in males of biłgoraj goose.