Iwona Łuszczewska-Sierakowska

Interrelationships between morphometric, densitometric, and mechanical properties of mandible in 6-month-old male pigs

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate interrelationships between final body weight, and morphometric, densitometric, and mechanical properties of the mandible in 6-month-old Polish Large White pigs exposed to dexamethasone and nanocalcium. The study was performed on 27 males, castrated on the 28th d after weaning, and reared until the age of 6 months, after which the animals were slaughtered, and the mandible was obtained. The pigs were divided into four experimental groups: animals given per os nanopartical calcium, animals injected with dexamethasone, animals given both nanopartical calcium per os and dexamethasone injections, and animals injected with placebo. After the slaughter, morphological properties of the mandible such as bone weight and length were determined. Using computed tomography technique, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of the cortical bone (Cd), mean volumetric bone mineral density (MvBMD), and total bone volume (Bvol) of whole mandible were measured. Areal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content were evaluated with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric method. Using three-point bending test, mechanical parameters such as maximum elastic strength (Wy) and ultimate strength (Wf) of mandible were estimated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was determined between all the investigated variables. The obtained results showed a significantly positive correlation between body weight and mandible weight, mandible length, Bvol, Cd, BMD, BMC, Wy, and Wf. However, statistically insignificant correlations of MvBMD and body weight, mandible weight, mandible length, and Bvol were observed. Furthermore, Bvol and Cd were not found to be significantly correlated. In conclusion, this study showed numerous positive correlations between final body weight and densitometric, morphometric, and mechanical properties of the mandible. This bone of pigs may be used as an attractive model for further investigation on metabolic response of the skeleton to physiological, nutritional, toxicological, and pharmacological factors influencing bone tissue metabolism.

Interrelationships between Morphological, Densitometric and Mechanical Properties of Eggs in Japanese Quails (Coturnix Japonica)

Eggshell quality in birds results from mineral density and composition determining its mechanical endurance. The aim of the study was to determine interrelationships between morphological, densitometric and mechanical properties of eggs in Japanese quails. Twenty four eggs randomly collected from 17-week-old quails were subjected to morphological, denstiometric and mechanical evaluation using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and three-point bending test. Weight, height and width of eggs were positively correlated with the densitometric parameters obtained using DEXA (egg mineral density (EMD) and egg mineral content (EMC)) and QCT (total egg volume (TEvol) and total eggshell volume (TESvol)). Positive correlations were stated between TEvol and TESvol (r=0.52; P<0.05) and EMD and EMC r=0.83; P<0.05). Egg mineral density revealed positive correlations with TEvol and mean volumetric eggshell mineral density (MvESMD), while EMC was positively correlated with TEvol, TESvol and MvESMD (all P<0.05). Eggshell breaking strength was positively correlated with MvESMD (r=0.53; P<0.05) and negatively correlated with eggshell thickness (r=−0.50; P<0.05). In conclusion, the results obtained in this study showed numerous interrelationships between morphological, densitometric and mechanical properties of eggs in Japanese quails. Both DEXA and QCT were shown to be valuable tools for evaluation of whole egg and eggshell quality with superior prognostic value of QCT for eggshell mechanical endurance prediction. The elaborated experimental model may serve for further investigations on physiological, pharmacological, environmental, nutritional and toxicological factors influencing egg quality.

Influence of caffeine used at various temperature ranges on the concentrations of glucose and total serum protein as well as body weight gain in pregnant rats

Abstract Caffeine (120 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically to pregnant rats daily on gestational days 8-21. An increase in serum concentration of glucose and total protein was found in animals, which were given caffeine. The protein content proved to be highly significant in the experimental group of animals. The control group showed a negative interdependence between body weight gain and glucose concentration. No correlation was found between body weight gain and total protein concentration, yet the glucose concentration significantly influenced the total protein concentration in this group of animals. Among animals which received caffeine, correlations between total protein and glucose concentrations were observed. The analysis did not show that the glucose or total protein concentration significantly influenced the body weight gain of pregnant female rats in the experimental group. The research conducted suggests the possibility of modulating effects of caffeine on adaptive processes during pregnancy.

Interrelationships Between Morphometric, Densitometric, and Mechanical Properties of Teeth in 5-Month-Old Polish Merino Sheep

Interrelationships between morphological, densitometric, and mechanical properties of deciduous mandibular teeth (incisors, canine, second premolar) were investigated. To perform morphometric, densitometric, and mechanical analyses, teeth were obtained from 5-month-old sheep. Measurements of mean volumetric tooth mineral density and total tooth volume were performed using quantitative computed tomography. Microcomputed tomography was used to measure total enamel volume, volumetric enamel mineral density, total dentin volume, and volumetric dentin mineral density. Maximum elastic strength and ultimate force of teeth were determined using 3-point bending and compression tests. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined between all investigated variables. Mutual dependence was observed between morphological and mechanical properties of the investigated teeth. The highest number of positive correlations of the investigated parameters was stated in first incisor indicating its superior predictive value of tooth quality and masticatory organ function in sheep. Positive correlations of the volumetric dentin mineral density in second premolar with final body weight may indicate predictive value of this parameter in relation with growth rate in sheep. Evaluation of deciduous tooth properties may prove helpful for breeding selection and further reproduction of sheep possessing favorable traits of teeth and better masticatory organ function, leading to improved performance and economic efficiency of the flock.

Sex-related differences of bone properties of pelvic limb and bone metabolism indices in 14-month-old ostriches (Struthio camelus)

ABSTRACT 1. Sex-related differences of long pelvic limb bones and serum bone metabolism indices were evaluated in 14-month-old female (N = 7) and male (N = 7) ostriches of similar body weights. 2. Densitometric parameters of femur, tibia and tarsometatarsus were determined using quantitative computed tomography (volumetric bone mineral density, calcium hydroxyapatite density and mean volumetric bone mineral density) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (bone mineral density and bone mineral content) methods. Geometrical parameters such as cortical bone area, cross-sectional area, second moment of inertia, mean relative wall thickness and cortical index were determined in the midshaft of bones. Mechanical properties of bones (maximum elastic strength and ultimate strength) were evaluated using three-point bending test. Serum concentrations of free amino acids, osteocalcin, N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, C-terminal telopeptides of type II collagen and total antioxidative capacity were also determined. 3. Bone weight and relative bone weight of all bones were significantly higher in males than in females. Significantly lower values of trabecular bone mineral density and calcium hydroxyapatite density were found in the trabecular bone of tibia in males. The highest number of the sex-related differences was observed in the tarsometatarsus where bone length, bone mineral content, cortical bone area, cross-sectional area and ultimate strength were higher in males. Serum concentrations of taurine, hydroxyproline, valine and isoleucine were significantly higher in males. 4. Higher loading of the tarsometatarsus in comparison to femur and tibia may be an important factor interacting with sex hormones in regulation of bone formation and mineralisation processes. Sex-related differences of bone properties were associated with increased serum concentration of selected amino acids in males.

Serum Concentration of Macro-, Micro-, and Trace Elements in Silver Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Their Interrelationships with Morphometric, Densitometric, and Mechanical Properties of the Mandible

The optimal content of macro-, micro-, and trace elements in tissues ensures proper systemic growth and development and optimal health status in animals and humans. However, very little is known on the elemental content in the plasma compartment in Silver fox. The aim of this study was to determine the content of selected elements in serum obtained from 8-month-old female (N = 8) and male (N = 7) silver foxes. Moreover, relationships of the evaluated elements with the morphological, densitometric, and mechanical parameters of the mandible were determined. Serum content of 12 different elements was measured using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The morphometric and densitometric properties of the mandible were determined using quantitative computed tomography method, while mechanical endurance was tested using a three-point bending test. Serum concentration of calcium was significantly higher by 20% in male foxes (P = 0.01), while manganese concentration was significantly lower in males by over 17% (P = 0.03). Positive correlations of serum concentration of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium with the morphological traits of the mandible such as weight, length, and bone volume were stated (P < 0.05). In the group of elements playing regulatory functions, the positive relationships between serum concentrations of selenium, chromium, manganese, copper, and cobalt were found (P < 0.05). The elaborated experimental model may serve for further studies on foxes, especially focused on nutritional factors affecting elemental homeostasis, whole-body metabolism, and systemic growth and development. Daily diet formulation and precise delivery for farm foxes, together with relatively large animal population maintained at the same environmental conditions, regularly subjected to slaughter procedure, enable economical experimentation with various dietary and pharmacological manipulations.

Physicochemical parameters of selected internal organs of fattening pigs and wild boars

Abstract The objective of the study was to analyse selected physical properties and chemical indicators of internal organs obtained from fattening pigs and Central European wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa). Each group consisted of 12 animals. The tongue, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were examined for physical properties, basic chemical composition, macro- and micromineral content, and fatty acid profile. The atherogenic index (AI) and the thrombogenic index (TI) were also determined. Pig offal was found to be a rich source of protein and collagen, and to contain large amounts of potassium and sodium. Liver had a high content of iron, zinc, and manganese. Pig liver and wild boar heart were characterised by favourable PUFA /SFA ratios (above 0.4%). In addition, the content of neutral and hypocholesterolemic acids (DFA ) and hypercholesterolemic acids (OFA ) in pig offal was comparable to that in pig meat. The results presented in this study provide an extensive evaluation of the nutritional quality of pig offal, which allows an increase in the scope of its use in the food industry, among others for production of offal products, including traditional and regional products that are increasingly demanded by consumers.