A. Pechová

Effect of sodium selenite or lactate-protein selenium complex supplementation on selenium status in goat kids

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation in organic (lactate-protein complex) or inorganic (sodium selenite) forms on Se concentrations in the blood and organs of goat kids. The experiment involved nineteen male goat kids divided into three groups: C, Se-I, and Se-O. Control group C ( n = 5) was without Se supplementation, group Se-I ( n = 7) received sodium selenite supple - ment (0.30 mg Se per animal/day), and group Se-O ( n = 7) received lactate-protein selenium complex (0.28 mg Se per animal/day). The supplementation started on the day of weaning and continued for 13 weeks till the day of slaughter. Blood samples for determination of Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity were col - lected on the day of weaning and during weeks 4, 8, and 13 thereafter. Samples of liver tissue, spleen, kidneys, lungs, heart, tongue, diaphragm, shoulder, back, and thigh muscles were taken immediately after slaughter. Significantly higher concentration of Se in group Se-O in comparison with group C was found in thigh muscles (110.4 vs 71.0 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), shoulder (105.0 vs 67.2 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), back (102.9 vs 61.7 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), and heart (180.8 vs 116.7 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01). Significantly higher concentration of Se in group Se-I in comparison with group C was found in shoulder (83.2 vs 67.2 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01) and diaphragm (93.6 vs 72.8 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01). The comparison of the groups Se-I and Se-O showed significantly higher Se concentrations in thigh muscles, heart, back, shoulder, and lungs in group Se-O. Mean Se concentration in tissues of experimental groups was 125.8% in Se-O group and 110.7% in Se-I group in comparison with group C. Our results are suggesting that supple - mentation of Se in the form of lactate-protein complex is more efficient in comparison with sodium selenite.

Antimicrobial Properties of Microparticles Based on Carmellose Cross-Linked by Cu 2+ Ions

Carmellose (CMC) is frequently used due to its high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity for development of site-specific or controlled release drug delivery systems. In this experimental work, CMC dispersions in two different concentrations (1% and 2%) cross-linked by copper (II) ions (0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2.0 M CuCl2) were used to prepare microspheres with antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, both frequently occurring pathogens which cause vaginal infections. The microparticles were prepared by an ionotropic gelation technique which offers the unique possibility to entrap divalent copper ions in a CMC structure and thus ensure their antibacterial activity. Prepared CMC microspheres exhibited sufficient sphericity. Both equivalent diameter and copper content were influenced by CMC concentration, and the molarity of copper (II) solution affected only the copper content results. Selected samples exhibited stable but pH-responsive behaviour in environments which corresponded with natural (pH 4.5) and inflamed (pH 6.0) vaginal conditions. All the tested samples exhibited proven substantial antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans. Unexpectedly, a crucial parameter for microsphere antimicrobial activity was not found in the copper content but in the swelling capacity of the microparticles and in the degree of CMC surface shrinking.

Salt, sodium chloride or sodium? Content and relationship with chemical, instrumental and sensory attributes in cooked meat products

The aim of this study was to determine the salt content in selected cooked meat products by the methods of determining the sodium content and the content of chlorides. The resulting data was compared with other chemical, instrumental and sensory parameters of the analysed samples. A total of 133 samples of 5 meat products were tested. The sodium content ranged from 558.0 to 1308.0mgNa/100g. Salt level determined by the two methods strongly correlated and did not differ in any meat product. Intensity of salty taste of the product was independent on its salt content. The salt (sodium) content may be reduced without a negative impact on sensory or instrumental properties of meat products.

The influence of sex, age and season on the haematological profile of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Central Europe

The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for the haematological profile of alpacas on the basis of a large population of clinically healthy animals, and to determine the influence of sex, age and season on these indicators. Blood samples were collected from 243 alpacas (53 males and 156 females over six months of age and 34 crias - 12 males and 22 females - under six months of age). The selected farms were located in Central Europe (Czech Republic and Germany). We determined 13 haematological indicators. Comparison of the results was performed with respect to the sex of animals and for the older group also with regard to the season and to the feeding period. We found no highly significant (P > 0.001) differences between males and females. We did find highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between the group of crias under six months of age and the older alpacas (mean corpuscular volume - MCV, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration - MCHC, red cell distribution width - RDW, white blood cell count - WBC, neutrophil count). Based on our findings we suggest that for some indicators different reference intervals (esp. WBC and differential cell counts) be used for the two above mentioned age groups. We found some highly significant differences ( P < 0.001) in haematological indicators in the older group of alpacas between the summer and winter feeding period (haemoglobin concentration, MCHC). Clinical laboratory diagnosis may be improved by the use of age-based and season-based haematological reference values.