CAB Abstracts

Complex interactions among structural, endocrine, and molecular factors determine mare reproductive potential. This narrative review summarizes current research data on clinical, hormonal, and molecular–biochemical biomarkers associated with mare fertility and evaluates their potential use in reproductive assessment. Clinical assessment remains the foundation of reproductive evaluation and includes age, reproductive history, ultrasonography, cytology, bacteriology, and endometrial biopsy. Hormonal biomarkers such as anti-Müllerian hormone, estradiol, progesterone, and gonadotropins provide additional information on ovarian reserve, follicular activity, ovulation, and luteal competence. Increasing attention has also focused on molecular and biochemical biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix remodeling, and embryonic–maternal communication. Despite growing interest in advanced biomarker approaches, many molecular indicators are not yet sufficiently validated for routine clinical use in mares. Small sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, and a lack of standardized reference ranges often limit available studies. Therefore, interpretation of reproductive biomarkers should remain cautious and clinically contextualized. Available data suggest that integrating structural, endocrine, and molecular information may improve reproductive evaluation and enable more individualized management strategies in mares. However, prospective studies evaluating the predictive value and clinical utility of integrated biomarker models remain limited.

Quail farming is gaining global importance due to the species’ rapid growth, early maturity, high productivity, and disease resistance. Quail meat is valued for its nutritional and medical properties, competing favorably with broiler and turkey meat. This study aimed to evaluate age- and sex-related differences in the chemical composition of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) meat and blood parameters to determine optimal slaughter timing. A total of 72 Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) (aged 5-8 weeks, both sexes), raised under identical conditions, were studied. Hematological and biochemical blood parameters, as well as meat chemical composition, were analyzed. Results showed that male quails had significantly higher hematocrit (HCT), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, but lower total protein (TP), triglycerides (TGL), calcium (Ca), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) compared to females (p<0.05 for most parameters). With increasing age, HCT, RBC, and Hgb increased in both sexes, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity declined. In females, blood Ca levels raise significantly with age. Regarding meat composition, male quails exhibited 28.5% higher salt content (p>0.05) than females, with no significant sex-based differences in moisture, fat, or protein levels. Meat moisture decreased (p<0.05) and fat content tended to increase with age. These findings demonstrate that both age and sex significantly influence blood parameters and meat composition (in a lesser extent) in quails. Such data may inform breeding and slaughter strategies to maximize meat quality and animal health.

The study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of purebred and crossbred gilts under practical production conditions in Slovakia. A total of 164 gilts representing three pure breeds (Large White, Landrace, Duroc) and three hybrid combinations (LW×LA, LA×DU, LW×DU) were assessed for growth intensity, back fat thickness and lean meat content, with all traits standardized to a live weight of 100 kg. Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed between purebred and crossbred groups. Crossbred pigs achieved faster growth (ADG100 635.93 g/day) but showed higher back fat deposition, whereas purebreds exhibited superior carcass leanness (LMC100 62.72%). Within purebreds, Duroc demonstrated the highest lean meat percentage and the lowest fat thickness, while among hybrids the LW×LA combination displayed the most favourable balance of growth and carcass traits. Correlation analysis confirmed strong biological relationships between growth and carcass parameters, particularly the antagonism between backfat and lean meat content. The findings emphasize the influence of genetic background on production efficiency and highlight the advantages of specific crossbreeding strategies in optimizing pig performance.

This study aimed to evaluate the economic benefits of using the in-line milk analyzer “Brolis HerdLine” (Brolis Sensor Technology, Vilnius, Lithuania) for the early detection of negative energy balance (NEB) and to assess the value of preventive treatment in dairy cows at high risk of NEB. A total of 52 Holstein cows were selected and paired based on lactation number, days in milk, and fat-to-protein ratio. The pairs were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: Control group (CON, n = 26) and Test group (TE, n = 26). Cows in the TE group received a single 32.4 g monensin (Kexxtone®) controlled-release capsule, while CON cows received no treatment. Milk composition was monitored using the in-line analyzer, and energy-corrected milk (ECM) was used to evaluate performance. Over a 200-day period, the TE group produced 9,916 kg more ECM than the CON group, resulting in an additional €3,056 profit after subtracting treatment costs. On day 20 post-treatment, TE cows showed significantly higher lactose levels (4.64%) than CON cows (p = 0.03). The successful insemination rate was 8.11% higher in the CON group. These results imply that early intervention through the use of an in-line milk analyzer to identify cows at high risk of NEB improves economic performance. The study emphasizes how milk analyzers can be used to make decisions in real time when managing dairy herds.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of polymorphisms of STAT5 and GH genes and to determine their influence on the productivity traits in beef cattle. A total of 95 animals were genotyped, belonging to the breeds Angus, Limousin, Galloway and Simmental. Polymorphisms of STAT5 and GH locus were identified using a PCR-RFLP method. The evaluation of the STAT5 gene polymorphism (7 exon, 6853C> T) demonstrated that C allele (frequency 0.959) and CC genotype (frequency 0.918) were the most common in beef bull populations reared in Lithuania. This polymorphism had a statistically significant effect on the live weight index of animals. The examination of the GH gene polymorphism (5 exon, 2141C> G) revealed that the G gene allele (frequency 0.612) and heterozygous CG genotype (frequency 0.424) were the most common. This polymorphism had a statistically significant effect on daily bull weight and live weight. Bulls of the homozygous CC genotype exhibited better economic characteristics. In conclusion, our results demonstrated the potential of polymorphisms of GH and STAT5 genes as candidates for the investigation of quantitative traits in cattle.

Salmonella is the most common pathogenic microorganism found throughout the environment and common source of bacterial foodborne-related illness. A practical tool for detecting Salmonella infection in slaughtered pigs is the serological examination of meat juice. Salmonella was determined in meat juices from healthy and pneumonia diseased pigs. Salmonella antibodies in pig meat juice were determined by a screening immunoenzymatic analysis method using the IDEXX HerdChek Swine Salmonella Test Kit (IDEXX Laboratories, Switzerland). The samples were evaluated according to the optical density ratio of the test sample and the positive control sample. Meat samples from diaphragm pillars were taken from 277 pigs at slaughter house. A total of 63 samples were serologically positive from all tested pig meat juice samples (22.74 %) (CI95 % 18.2 – 28.0 %). One positive sample was found in the meat juice of healthy pigs, while 25 and 37 samples were found to be seropositive in the diseased pig groups, with S/P of 0.76 (p < 0.001) and 0.91 (p < 0.001) respectively. In pigs with pathological lung changes 35.23 % seropositive samples of all diseased pigs were found. S/P ratio in control group was 0.08 while in pig with different lung lesions meat juice samples S/P ration reached 0.25 and 0.32 respectively (p < 0.001). The lowest S/P value in meat juice samples were found in pigs with moderate lung lesions and were found in 56.88 % meat juice samples, while in pigs with intensive lung lesions meat juice samples S/P ratio was 58.13 % (p < 0.001). The highest S/P value was found in pigs with intensive lung lesions and reached 0.77 % of all tested samples.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an endemic annual mucilaginous spicy herb plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae), growing wild in subtropical and tropical areas of America, Africa, Asia, and in southern Europe. Basil belongs to the aromatic plants that are grown all over the world nowadays. To increase the amount of phenolic and other biologically active compounds in plants, safe, effective, and ecological ways to achieve this are constantly being sought. The greatest economic losses worldwide are due to the negative effects of drought stress and extreme temperatures on plant morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics limiting crop growth and productivity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of phenylalanine and tryptophane on the content of chlorophyll and phenolic, and the antioxidant activity of basil under drought conditions. Foliar spraying with phenylalanine and tryptophane to drought-stressed plants increased the chlorophyll a and b content. Application of phenylalanine significantly increased the total phenolic content (TPC) in the cultivar ‘Aromatico Della Riviera Ligure’, while foliar spraying with tryptophane increased TPC in the drought-stressed ‘Palla Compato’ and ‘Toscano’. Foliar spraying with phenylalanine and tryptophane to drought-stressed plants increased the antioxidant activity measured by the DPPH method. Principal component analysis showed that the first factor was highly and positively related to all parameters studied. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the first cluster was formed due to drought-stressed ‘Aromatico Della Riviera Ligure’, ‘Cinnamon’, and ‘Lemon’. The second cluster consisted of well-watered ‘Aromatico Della Riviera Ligure’, ‘Cinnamon’, and ‘Lemon’, and drought-stressed and phenylalanine-sprayed ‘Aromatico Della Riviera Ligure’ and ‘Palla Compato’. The third cluster consisted of the combinations of other cultivars and treatments tested.

This study with whole-plant maize (Zea mays L.) silage was aimed to investigate different pre-ensiling conditions and addition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant containing Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactococcus lactis on the formation of fermentation end products, dry matter (DM) loss, yeast and mould counts and aerobic stability. After harvesting, whole-plant maize (at the dough line stage and 36% DM) was either uninoculated (C) or inoculated (I) and then ensiled in laboratory mini-silos (i) promptly (C0 and I0), (ii) with 3-hour delay (C3 and I3), (iii) with 24-hour delay and uncovered (C24U and I24U), and (iv) with 24-hour delay and sealed up (C24S and I24S). Chemical composition, including fermentation products, losses of DM, yeast and mould counts, and aerobic stability were determined in five repetitions for each treatment on the 60th day of silage ensiling. The delayed ensiling of uninoculated whole-plant maize (C24U) negatively affected fermentation parameters reflected by increased DM losses, ammonia nitrogen (NH3 -N) and alcohols concentrations, and yeast and mould counts. Inoculation caused a reduction in the pH value, increased individual concentrations of lactic acid and acetic acid, lowered negative indicators of fermentation, including reduced NH3 -N, alcohols, and butyric acid, and significantly improved aerobic stability regardless of other test conditions before ensiling.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common heart diseases among cats. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of the missense A31P mutation of the MYBPC3 gene in the feline population and its dependence on breed and sex. During the study, 130 individuals were tested by PCR-RFLP method. The 242 bp PCR product was digested with AvaI restriction enzyme and the fragments were separated by electrophoresis in 2.5% agarose gel. Besides that, retrospective analysis was performed based on data from the veterinary clinic, collected in a three years period. The mutation (G/C genotype) was detected only in the Maine Coon breed. Data analysis showed that frequency of heterozygous genotype in the tested Main Coon population was 0.23, which is equal to 13.85% of all the studied feline population and 23.1% of the tested experimental (Maine Coon) group. Allele frequencies were calculated in the experimental group (Maine Coon), the control group (feline of other breeds) and for all tested individuals. In all groups, the most frequently repeated allele was G, and in the control group, it was the only detectable allele. Frequency of the C (mutated) allele was calculated for all individuals (0.07) and for experimental (Maine coon) (0.115) groups. Statistically significant Main Coon breed dependence on the mutation was assessed (P < 0.05). Information analyzed retrospectively showed that HCM was more often diagnosed for males (87%) than females.

The aim of this study was to make a new teat dip formula containing lactic acid and evaluate its stability and antibacterial activity by physico-chemical and microbiological tests. After selecting the concentrations of the thickener xanthan gum (0.67%) and lactic acid (6.3%), a teat dip solution was composed, which contains teat skin saving components: glycerol, sorbitol, oat and calendula extracts. According to the recipe, a teat dip solution of orange colour, homogeneous appearance, and a specific lactic acid smell was composed, the viscosity of which was 930–940 mPas., pH 2.7. Product physical, chemical properties and stability for 24 months were confirmed by realtime and accelerated stability studies. The teat dip solution remains homogenous, orange colour with a typical lactic acid smell, and did not become cloudy or flaky after 24 months following production. Viscosity reduction was determined after 6 months 33 mPas, i.e. it was 3.4%, while after 24 months, it was 12.7%. The measured pH value remains stable between 2.6 and 2.8 (P > 0.05). An antimicrobial study was performed according to EN 1656 by 80%, 50% and 10% concentrations with reference Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli strains. The teat dip solution showed bactericidal efficiency (log R > 5) against S. uberis and E. coli reference strains. An antimicrobial effect to S. aureus was insufficient and the product was not effective against this bacteria. Teat dip at 10% did not show an antimicrobial effect to all tested strains. According to these data, the new model teat dip solution containing lactic acid, teat skin saving substance and thickener xanthan gum retains unchanged physical parameters and shows bactericidal activity against the reference E. coli and S. uberis strains.