Folia Biologica (FOLIA BIOL-KRAKOW)

Publications in this journal

• Article: Toxicity Induced by Cumene Hydroperoxide in Leech Retzius Nerve Cells: the Protective Role of Glutathione

  Zorica Jovanović
  Folia Biologica 01/2013; 61(1-2):93-100.
• Article: Morphological characteristics of neonatal adipose tissue.

  Pepa Atanassova, Gorana Rancic, Elenka Georgieva
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of the present work was to study the morphological characteristics of neonatal adipose tissue using rats as an animal model. The results revealed that the subcutaneous adipose tissue of newborns consists of packets of unilocular adipose cells (one large lipid drop occupying the whole cell and pushing the cytoplasm and the nucleus to the cell periphery) and some multilocular fat cells (several lipid droplets of different size and an almost centrally located nucleus). All the adipocytes demonstrated positive immunohistochemical expression for leptin, whereas the multilocular adipose cells were positive for cyclin D1. These findings suggest that the multilocular adipose cells are preadipocytes that have not yet finished proliferation and differentiation and could under some external and/or internal stimuli conclude their development and become mature unilocular adipocytes, thus increasing fat mass.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):41-3.
• Article: Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection diagnosed by PCR in farmed red foxes, arctic foxes and raccoon dogs.

  Marcin Tadeusz Górecki, Mariola Galbas, Katarzyna Szwed, Piotr Przysiecki, Piotr Dullin, Sławomir Nowicki
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare Toxoplasma gondii infection in three canid species: red fox Vulpes vulpes, arctic fox Vulpes lagopus and raccoon dog Nyctereutesprocyonoides kept at the same farm. Anal swabs were taken from 24 adult and 10 juvenile red foxes, 12 adult arctic foxes, three adult and seven juvenile raccoon dogs. Additionally, muscle samples were taken from 10 juvenile red foxes. PCR was used to detect T. gondii DNA. T. gondii infection was not detected in any of the arctic foxes; 60% ofraccoon dogs were infected; the prevalence of the parasite in material from red fox swabs was intermediate between the prevalence observed in arctic foxes and raccoon dogs. It is possible that susceptibility and immune response to the parasite differ between the three investigated canid species. T. gondii DNA was detected in muscle tissue of five young foxes. The results of this study suggest that T. gondii infection is not rare in farmed canids.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):61-4.
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  Article: The effect of sperm concentration in the ejaculate on morphological traits of bull spermatozoa.

  Stanisław Kondracki, Dorota Banaszewska, Anna Wysokńjska, Maria Iwanina
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  ABSTRACT: Experiments were performed on 75 ejaculates obtained from 19 bulls representing different cattle breeds used at the Masovian Centre for Animal Breeding and Reproduction in Łowicz. Fresh ejaculates were measured in respect to their volume and sperm count in the ejaculates was determined. The ejaculates were classified based on the criterion of sperm concentration and divided into five groups. Sperm morphometric measurements were taken from each bull and assessment of semen morphology was done on the basis of examination under a microscope using preparations made from fresh ejaculates. For each slide, morphometric measurements were taken of 15 randomly selected spermatozoa characterised by normal morphology and well visible under the microscope. Additionally, in each preparation morphometry of 500 spermatozoa was evaluated, numbers of spermatozoa with normal morphology and morphological abnormalities were recorded and these were categorized into spermatozoa with major and minor defects. An insignificant correlation was observed between the sperm concentration in the ejaculate and morphological traits, dimensions and shapes of bull spermatozoa. The less concentrated ejaculates contained spermatozoa with a slightly larger head circumference and a more elongated head shape in comparison with the spermatozoa in the more concentrated ejaculates. The highest frequency of morphologically malformed spermatozoa, both in the case of primary and secondary alterations, was observed in ejaculates with sperm concentration of no more than 1000 x 10(3)/mm3.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):85-91.
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  Article: Pathological changes in the microstructure of longissimus lumborum muscle from five breeds of pigs.

  Dorota Wojtysiak
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to determine the extent of histopathological changes in m. longissimus lumborum of PL, PLW, Duroc, Pietrain, and Puławska pigs (N = 30 per breed) aged 210 days. Changes in fibre size (atrophy, hypertrophy - giant fibres), changes in fibre shape (angular fibres), degenerative lesions (necrosis with phagocytosis) and connective tissue hypertrophy were evaluated. The percentage of individual pathological changes in m. longissimus lumborum of the analysed pig breeds was relatively low. Significantly more normal fibres were found in the muscles of Puławska compared to Pietrain pigs. Muscle fibre atrophy was the most frequent and extensive histopathological change. The muscles of Puławska pigs had significantly fewer atrophic, giant and angular fibres, significantly less necrosis with phagocytosis, and less animals with connective tissue hypertrophy compared to the other pig breeds. On the other hand, Pietrain pigs were characterized by a greater number of animals with giant fibres and a significantly higher proportion of giant fibres compared to the other breeds. Also the diameter of giant fibres was the largest in Pietrain, intermediate in PL and PLW, and the smallest in Duroc and Pulawska pigs. Moreover, current findings indicate that giant fibres may arise from each muscle fibre type (I, IIA and IIB). It is concluded that selection of pigs for increased leanness contributes to the incidence of histopathological changes, which may decrease pork quality.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):55-60.
• Article: Comparative cytogenetic analysis of sex chromosomes in several Canidae species using zoo-FISH.

  Monika Bugno-Poniewierska, Agnieszka Sojecka, Klaudia Pawlina, Andrzej Jakubczak, Grazyna Jezewska-Witkowska
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  ABSTRACT: Sex chromosome differentiation began early during mammalian evolution. The karyotype of almost all placental mammals living today includes a pair of heterosomes: XX in females and XY in males. The genomes of different species may contain homologous synteny blocks indicating that they share a common ancestry. One of the tools used for their identification is the Zoo-FISH technique. The aim of the study was to determine whether sex chromosomes of some members of the Canidae family (the domestic dog, the red fox, the arctic fox, an interspecific hybrid: arctic fox x red fox and the Chinese raccoon dog) are evolutionarily conservative. Comparative cytogenetic analysis by Zoo-FISH using painting probes specific to domestic dog heterosomes was performed. The results show the presence of homologous synteny covering the entire structures of the X and the Y chromosomes. This suggests that sex chromosomes are conserved in the Canidae family. The data obtained through Zoo-FISH karyotype analysis append information obtained using other comparative genomics methods, giving a more complete depiction of genome evolution.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):11-6.
• Article: Prenatal exposure to antiandrogen flutamide affects androgen receptor (AR) expression in postnatal ovarian development in pig.

  Małgorzata Durlej, Iwona Wieciech, Paulina Wegrzyn, Maria Slomczyńska
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  ABSTRACT: The following study was undertaken to localize androgen receptors (ARs) in various structures of the porcine ovary after prenatal exposure to antiandrogen flutamide. In utero treatment by antiandrogens may have adverse effects on reproductive function in immature and adult animals. Flutamide was injected into pregnant swines between days 20 and 28 (GD20) or 80 to 88 (GD80) of gestation. The ovaries were collected from treated animals and from control ones (non-treated) at two different points of development: from immature and adult pigs. Immunoexpression of AR was determined for preantral and antral follicles and for stroma cells. Immunostaining showed that AR expression in immature animals was unaffected in the primary follicles, while in the preantral and antral follicles the AR level fluctuated depending on day of treatment as well as on analyzed tissue. In adult animals, the immunoexpression of AR slightly decreased in antral follicles independently on the day of flutamide treatment. Therefore, AR expression in postnatal life may be affected by in utero exposure to antiandrogen flutamide.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):27-33.
• Article: Number and size of nucleoli in the spermatocytes of chicken and Japanese quail.

  Katarzyna Andraszek, Magdalena Gryzińska, Sebastian Knaga, Ewa Wójcik, Elzbieta Smalec
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  ABSTRACT: Nucleoli are the product of nucleolus organizing region activity (NOR) of specific chromosomes. Their basic function is to synthetise ribosomal RNA precursors and promote the maturation and assemblage of preribosomal RNP molecules. Information on rRNA-coding gene activity can be provided by the analysis of the number and size of nucleoli in the prophase of the first meiotic division. The morphology and ultrastructure of a nucleolus depends, among others, on the species and cell growth cycle as well as the physiological and pathological state of an organism. The purpose of this research was to determine the number and size of nucleoli in the spermatocytes of the domestic chicken and the Japanese quail. Diverse numbers and sizes of nucleoli in the cells of the analysed birds were observed. 1-4 nucleoli were identified in chicken cells (1.91 +/- 0.63 on average) and 1-2 in quail cells (1.13 +/- 0.33 on average). For the total of 957 nucleoli observed in Gallus cells, 329 were classified as large and 628 as small. In Coturnix cells, 563 nucleoli were identified (66 large and 497 small ones). An analysis of the numbers and sizes of nucleoli can be performed at the cytogenetic level and serve as an alternative source of information on rRNA encoding gene and nucleolus organising region (NOR) activities.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):121-7.
• Article: New stands of species of the Paramecium aurelia complex (Ciliophora, Protozoa) in the Mediterranean region (Italy, Greece, Morocco).

  Ewa Przyboś, Maria Rautian
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  ABSTRACT: New stands of species of the Paramecium aurelia complex are presented in the paper, P. primaurelia recorded in Italy (Pisa) and in Morocco (Marrakesh), P. biaurelia in Italy (Calabria), P. triaurelia in Morocco (Ifrane), P. pentaurelia in Greece (Kastorya), and P. dodecaurelia in Italy (Padua).
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):147-9.
• Article: An assessment of the breeding maturity of insemination boars based on ejaculate quality changes.

  Dorota Banaszewska, Stanisław Kondracki
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  ABSTRACT: We examined the sexual development and insemination capability of boars representing five breeds used at Polish sow insemination stations. The speed of attaining full breeding maturity by the boars and their insemination usefulness was assessed based on the results of experiments analysing age-related changes in the physical characteristics of the ejaculates. Directly after sampling, the ejaculates were analysed for the following physical parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa per ejaculate. The total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculates and the number of insemination doses obtained from one ejaculate were calculated using SYSTEM SUL v. 6.1 software. The sexual development of boars continues during insemination use, leading to improved ejaculatory performance. The physical parameters of the ejaculate change along with the age of the boar. The Duroc and Hampshire boars represent a pattern of sexual development that is different from that of the PLW, PL and Pietrain males, with an evident earlier termination of growth. The American boars (Duroc and Hampshire) acquire top ejaculatory performance approximately 6 months earlier.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):151-62.
• Article: Sex- and age-related changes of trabecular bone of tibia in growing domestic geese (Anser domesticus).

  Anna Charuta, Małgorzata Dzierzecka, Edward Czerwiński, Ross Gordon Cooper, Jarosław Olav Horbańczuk
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  ABSTRACT: An analysis of radiological images of the spongious substance of the tibiotarsal bones in domestic goose (120 individuals) was performed for the first time. Based on radiographs obtained from radiological examinations conducted in the region of interest (80 x 90 mm2) of the proximal metaphysis, an analysis of the spongious substance of the tibia was performed with the Trabecula programme in order to construct a map of trabeculae and identify their number, volume and density. The results were evaluated statistically using two-way ANOVA. Changes in the number, volume and density of radiological trabeculae of the tibiotarsal bone (TB) in geese from 4 to 16 weeks old were observed. The lowest number (6.34 per mm2), volume (1.50% mm) and density (33.73%) of radiological trabeculae in the proximal metaphysis of TB was reported in male geese at the age of 6 weeks. Similar tendencies were observed in females as well. It should be noted that the volume and density of radiological trabeculae of the tibiotarsal bone achieved a maximum value in males 12 weeks of age, whereas in females at 8 weeks of age. An inverse relationship between body weight and the number of trabeculae in domestic geese (r = - 0.28; P < or = 0.05) was found. We also found a positive relationship between body weight and the volume of radiological trabeculae in domestic geese (r = 0.43; P < or = 0.05). During posthatching development, from the 4th week to slaughter maturity, a decrease in relative bone mass was observed. Negative changes in the trabecular structure combined with high weight gain could lead to bone deformities and locomotor problems in the studied geese.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):205-12.
• Article: Impact of sex and fishing season on fatty acid profile, fat and cholesterol content in the meat of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) from Brda River (Poland).

  Magdalena Stanek, Bogumiła Kupcewicz, Janusz Dabrowski, Bogdan Janicki
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine fat and cholesterol content and the fatty acid profile in the meat of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.). Muscle samples for analyses were taken from the large side muscle of the fish body above the lateral line. The study involved 56 individuals caught in fall and spring. Analyses were carried out on 14 females and 14 males caught in each season. The percentage content of fat in the fish meat was determined with the modified method of FOLCH et al. (1957). The cholesterol content was determined with the modified Liebermann-Burchardt colorimetric method using a Shimadzu spectrophotometer (UV-VIS-NIR-3100). The fatty acid profile was determined with the gas chromatograph with a flame-ionization detector. Analyses indicated that the percentage content of fat was higher in the meat of roach caught in autumn (0.96% in females and 0.91% in males) than in the tissues of individuals from spring, which was 0.67% and 0.86%, respectively. The content of the total cholesterol was higher in autumn (64.17 mg 100g(-1)) than in spring (56.25 mg 100g(-1)), and these values significantly differed (p < 0.05). Statistical analyses indicated that there were no significant differences in the content of fat and cholesterol between females and males caught in both seasons. The total amounts of SFA, MUFA and PUFA ranged from 30.05% to 33.57%, from 39.53% to 47.64% and from 19.96% to 27.42%, respectively. Analyses of correlations between fatty acids from the n-3 and n-6 group indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between C20:4 n-6 and C22:4 n-6 (p = 0.000, R = 0.9065) and C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3 (p = 0.000, r = 0.8555). The ratio of n-3/n-6 was highest in the meat of roach caught in spring (0.50-0.81) than in autumn (0.50-0.77). The AI index ranged from 0.35 to 0.46 and the mean values of TI ranged from 0.41 to 0.54.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):227-33.
• Article: Mating types in Paramecium and a molecular approach to their determination.

  Natalia Sawka
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  ABSTRACT: Mating types are expressed in ciliates for the duration of the mature period of their clonal cycle. During cell conjugation the reciprocal fertilization of complementary mating types takes place. Models of mating type determination in the Paramecium aurelia species complex based on classical genetics are reviewed including molecular aspects of the studies.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(1-2):3-9.
• Article: DNA methylation, histone modifications and behaviour of AKAP95 during mouse oocyte growth and upon nuclear transfer of foreign chromatin into fully grown prophase oocytes.

  Steffen Hoffmann, Grzegorz Tomasik, Zbigniew Polanski
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  ABSTRACT: The poor efficiency of mammalian cloning is due to inappropriate/incomplete epigenetic reprogramming of the donor chromatin. As the success in reprogramming of the donor nucleus may require activity of similar mechanisms which reprogram the chromatin in the course of gametogenesis, we decided to follow the status of some epigenetic markers in the late phase of oogenesis in mice, i.e. in prophase oocytes during their growth and after completion of the growth phase. Our analysis reveals an increase in the level of global DNA methylation starting in oocytes with diameters around 60 microm which was further elevated until completion of oocyte growth. A similar increase was observed in respect to the acetylation of histone H4. On the other hand, the methylation of histone H4 Arg3 was constantly high until the end of oocyte growth, although it differed between fully grown oocytes depending on the type of spatial chromatin organization. We have also studied the AKAP95 protein which was abundant at earlier stages but decreased in fully grown oocytes according to changes in their chromatin organization. The nuclear transfer of different types of donor nuclei with hypomethylated DNA into fully grown prophase oocytes did not increase the global level of methylation of transferred foreign chromatin, regardless if the recipient oocyte was devoid of its own nucleus or its nucleus was left intact. This suggests a major problem in the ability of recipient oocytes to modify donor DNA methylation.
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):163-70.
• Article: The effect of dietary selenium source on embryonic development in Turkeys.

  Monika Stepińska, Emilia Mróz, Jan Jankowski
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary selenium source on the growth and development of turkey embryos, and egg hatchability. White broad-breasted BUT Big 6 turkeys (1800 females and 150 males) were placed under optimum management conditions. Turkey diets were supplemented with organic selenium, and in the other with inorganic selenium, in the amount of 0.3 ppm. Eggs intended for incubation and examination were collected in week 2, 10, 18 and 23 of the laying season. The average egg weight was higher (p < or = 0.05) in laying hens fed a diet with organic selenium than in layers receiving inorganic selenium. The rate of yolk sac retraction was faster in embryos from the group fed a diet with inorganic selenium, and it reached 0.59 of the complete yolk sac on day 25 of incubation (p < or = 0.05). Selenium source had no effect on the hatching rates of fertilized eggs, which reached 79.61% and 79.84% in laying hens fed organic and inorganic selenium, respectively. In the flocks fed diets supplemented with organic selenium, dead embryos were more frequently characterized by problems with protein utilization (19.28%) and delayed pipping (10.83%). Embryo death rates at the first mortality peak were higher in layers fed inorganic selenium than in those receiving organic selenium (15% vs. 13.5%). The second embryo mortality peak occurred earlier (day 26) in laying hens fed inorganic selenium than in those fed organic selenium (day 28).
  Folia Biologica 01/2012; 60(3-4):235-41.