Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek

10. The Effect of Chemically-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Performance and the Histology and Microbiological Profile of the Jejunum in Chickens

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse how per os application of hydrocolloids of silver nanoparticles (22 nm) and lipid-coated nanosilver hydrocolloids (5 nm) affect the microbiological status and morphology of the jejunum of broiler chickens and their growth performance. The experiment was conducted on 60 chickens. The first group was the control. The chickens in group II received a silver nanoparticle hydrocolloid (Ag-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day. The chickens in group III received a lipid-coated nanosilver hydrocolloid (AgL-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day. Samples of digesta were taken from the jejunum during dissection and the total numbers of fungi, aerobic bacteria and bacteria of the coli group were determined in the samples. Samples of the jejunum were also collected during dissection to determine the length of the villi and depth of the crypts. The silver nanoparticles had no effect on growth performance or the histological picture of the jejunum. An increase was noted in the total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and a decrease in the number of coli group bacteria, which are facultative anaerobes, which indicates that the nanosilver had a selective effect on the microflora of the digestive tract in the chickens.

Effort of Varying Intensity as a Factor Influencing the Variability of Selected Biochemical Blood Parameters of Jumping Horses

Abstract Blood samples were collected from horses in four time points of the spring-winter training season, according to the difference in effort intensity characteristic for each period. Serum contents of glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine, as well as activity of creatine kinase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase were determined. Training did not cause muscle damage, and as a result of training, changes in the characteristics of both, contraction and biochemical properties of muscle tissue took place, which was confirmed by the conducted tests.

Evaluating bioaerosol exposure among bus drivers in the public transport sector

ABSTRACT Occupational hazards and consequent health problems suffered by drivers in the public transport sector require preventive measures. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of drivers to microbiological air contamination (airborne bacteria and fungi) in buses. The air in public transport vehicles was examined in autumn, winter and spring. To evaluate the exposure of drivers to bioaerosols, air samples were collected and examined for the total number of bacteria and fungi in the air, the number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria specified by the number of colony forming units (CFU) per 1 m3 of air. The results of the research show that public transport as a workplace can be considered to be a significant risk to health.

Silver (Ag) in tissues and eggshells, biochemical parameters and oxidative stress in chickens

Abstract This study aimed to assess levels of silver nanoparticle residues in eggshells and tissues as well as the levels of selected biochemical parameters and oxidative stress indices in chickens hatched from nanosilver disinfected eggs. The samples included 40 Greenleg Partridge chicks allocated into two groups. The experimental group (group D) consisted of chickens hatched from eggs disinfected with a nanosilver preparation prior to incubation, while the control group (group C) included chickens whose eggs were exposed to UV radiation for disinfection. The eggshells and kidney sections obtained from group D chickens showed a significantly higher silver level compared to group C. For the biochemical parameters, only the uric acid content was higher in group D compared to group C. Analysis of the antioxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase and catalase), showed a significant increase in group D in relation to group C. Graphical Abstract

Evaluation of microbial contamination of feces and soil on a laying-hen farm depending on sampling site and season

The objective of the present study was to evaluate soil collected from a laying-hen farm and bird manure according to the season of the year and sampling site. Soil samples were taken at the poultry facility wall and at the distances of 15 m and 45 m from the building. Bird feces samples were collected inside the poultry house at the entrance and at 1/4 and 1/2 length of the building. Soil and bird feces samples were evaluated by bacteriological qualitative and quantitative analyses. The largest bacterial load was determined in the samples taken at the poultry facility wall in December/January. Soil microbial contamination degree was low. The highest bacterial count in bird manure was found in the samples collected at 1/2 length of the hen house at the end of December/January. The qualitative study of bird feces showed the presence of E. coli bacteria all through the research period and Enterobacter spp. in the samples taken from July until September. Microbial contamination of soil environment and bird feces is most likely to be affected by winter period as at that time the highest microbial population can be determined. This fact may be linked to the prevailing climatic and microclimatic conditions.

Effect of pig farm on microbial contamination of soil.

Abstract The objective of the study was to assess microbial contamination of soil collected in a swine farm and manure from animals housed there depending on the season of the year and the sampling site. The study was conducted from October to September. The soil samples were taken immediately at the pig house wall (GI), and at the distance of 15 m (GII) and 45 m (GIII) from the house wall. Besides, manure samples were collected inside the pig housing facility: at the entrance to the pig house (KI) and at 1/4 (KII) and 1/2 length of the animal facility (KIII). The soil and manure samples underwent qualitative and quantitative bacteriological evaluation. The study was conducted according to the procedure laid out in the Polish Standards. There was also assessed air temperature and relative moisture, air motion and cooling as well as sample moisture in the sampling site. The greatest number of all studied bacteria was determined in soil collected 15 m from the piggery (GII) in December/January. The highest coli titre (0.0001) was also established in the samples (GII) at that time. The qualitative analysis of soil showed solely the presence of E. coli bacteria which were recovered in the GII soils taken from November to May. The largest bacterial load in swine manure was determined in the samples collected at 1/2 length of the pig house (KII) at the end of December and January. The growth of all the analysed microbes was favoured by sample moisture, while air relative moisture prompted development of psychrophilic and proteolytic bacteria. E. coli were isolated in manure samples throughout the entire research period, whereas Enterobacter spp. were detected in the KI and KII samples from June to August and in KII samples from June to September. The winter period was shown to affect significantly microbial contamination of swine farm environment as at that time the highest bacterial load was determined in soil and manure. This is most likely to be associated with the climatic and microclimatic conditions observed in those days.

Effect of dietary supplementation with Yarrowia lipolytica or Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and probiotic additives on haematological parameters and the gut microbiota in piglets

The objective of the study was to compare the efficiency of two species of yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), with or without a probiotic supplement, added to feed for piglets, on the basis of haematological blood indices and the gut microbiota. A total of 360 piglets (the average 27-d-old) were allotted to dietary treatments: 1) the basal control(C) diet, 2) the C diet + probiotic(P) (a mixture of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis), 3) the C diet +3%YL(Y), 4) the C diet +3%YL + probiotic(YP), 5) the C diet +3%SC(S) and 6) the C diet +3%SC + probiotic(SP). The study showed that YL yeast can be used in compound feeds for piglets interchangeably with SC yeast. The effect of YL on haematological blood parameters and the microbes colonizing the gut proved to be more beneficial than the effect of SC yeast. The combined application of YL or SC with a probiotic had a more favourable effect on the gut microbiota than the use of yeast alone. It should be noted, however, that supplementation of the compound feed with YL in combination with a probiotic reduced the multiplication of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in the intestinal contents, while the feed containing SC together with a probiotic did not. The dietary study confirmed that YL in combination with a probiotic is highly suitable for feeding piglets.

Evaluation of propolis extract as a disinfectant of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hatching eggs

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of an alcoholic propolis extract (15%) as a disinfectant for Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hatching eggs. A total of 600 eggs were randomly divided into four experimental groups: 1) negative control (NC), without disinfection, 2) control (C), fumigated with formaldehyde gas, 3) (A), sprayed with 96% alcohol, and 4) (P), sprayed with 15% alcoholic propolis extract. The eggs were incubated artificially in a BIOS hatching apparatus under standard conditions. On the 14th day, the eggs were candled to determine the number of infertile eggs and dead embryos and samples were collected for microbial analysis. After 17.5 d, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and eggshell conductance were calculated. Fertile eggs sprayed with propolis were shown to have a lower eggshell conductance constant (egg weight loss) than eggs from groups C and A. Total microbial activity on the eggshells did not differ significantly between groups, but Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus spp., Bordetella spp., and Chryseobacterium meningosepticum isolates were significantly affected by the propolis treatment. There were no significant differences between treatments for total hatchability, embryonic mortality, and chick body weight on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days of life. The total chick survivability during the first 2 wk was significantly higher in group P than in the other groups. The results indicate that spraying hatching eggs with 15% propolis as a disinfectant can be recommended as a safe and natural sanitizer in place of formaldehyde, with no negative effect on quail chicks.

Fattening turkeys with the addition of lactic acid and copper

ABSTRACT The paper presents results of research on the effects of different doses of copper in the form of CuSO4·5H2O and Cu chelate and lysine (1:2), also with 0.4% lactic acid in drinking water on weight gain of turkeys. The study sample consists of 20 experimental groups of 120 birds each. The addition of lactic acid to the feed (excluding copper) contributed slightly to the reduction of the weight gain of turkeys. In contrast, a significant decrease in body weight gain of turkeys was observed, using lactic acid along with inorganic form of copper. Turkeys fed with the feed containing only organic form of copper at a dose of 20 mg reached the greatest weight gain. Lactic acid and different doses and forms of copper significantly differentiate the body weight gain of turkeys. The combination of the lactic acid and copper added resulted in lower weight gains of birds; it was only the administration of the 50 mg copper dose in organic form that increased the weight gain to the level comparable to the weight gains obtained for birds fed without the lactic acid addition. The use of feed supplements requires the selection of an appropriate dose to the form of copper.

Severity of work in opinions of rural women living in the Bieszczady region of south-eastern Poland

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was recognition of the opinions of rural women living in the Bieszczady region of south-eastern Poland, concerning their perception of the degree of severity of work. The study was conducted among the inhabitants of the Cisna commune. MATERIAL AND METHODS The basic research instrument was a questionnaire form containing 15 items. The study covered 101 women living in the Cisna commune in the Bieszczady. The self-reported degree of work load on a farm was analyzed among women who were occupationally active, and those who were not occupationally active. The effect of assistance from family members on the severity of work perceived by women was considered. RESULTS The women in the study focused on agro-tourism, a few of them were engaged in agricultural work and the majority worked in household gardens. The study showed that occupationally active women work considerably longer, on average, and are the most loaded, compared to those not engaged in occupational activity. The mean daily time devoted to duties on a farm did not significantly differ between occupationally active and non-active women, and amounted to 380 and 320 minutes, respectively. The majority of women who were non-active occupationally evaluated their household chores as the highest work load. In turn, the women who undertook occupational activity assessed them as most burdensome, despite great help from their family. The body positions assumed while performing field work were: standing, standing-bent-over, and walking. The mean evaluations of work load while standing and standing-bent-over did not significantly differ, but affected the work load among women who, however, could not assess the severity of their work resulting from the body position assumed.