Nina Čebulj-Kadunc

• PhD, DVM
• Professor (Full) at University of Ljubljana

Introduction The aim of our study was to measure fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations in captive and free-ranging male and female mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella) during their circannual cycle. In addition, FGM concentrations were used to track the intensity of the adrenocortical response in mountain gazelles during the same peri...

Scientifically sound studies investigating the influence of riders on the physiological responses of riding horses are rare. Therefore, this pilot study was aimed to investigate the physiological changes in 6 purebred Lipizzan horses during an exercise test (ExT) in an indoor arena performed by a male and a female rider with different body weights...

The stress response, which involves joint activity of the nervous and endocrine systems, is one of the basic adaptive mechanisms that ensures the survival of the individual. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis enables organisms to respond to endogenous...

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on skin surface temperature and vein diameter in the carpal joint region in racehorses with clipped and non-clipped treatment areas. The study included 20 Thoroughbreds split into two equal groups: clipped coat and non-clipped coat. Horses...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) supplementation on the hematology and biochemical blood parameters of young Thoroughbred racehorses. The study was conducted with 20 horses divided into two groups: the supplemented and the control group. The supplemented group was given 30 g of L. edodes daily...

Scientific studies on the physiological responses of young horses to workloads are limited. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the basal values of some cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, hematological, and biochemical parameters in 10 purebred Lipizzan fillies aged 4 years in the initial phase of training, and their responses to a grad...

The influence of different stress parameters in racing pigeon flocks, such as the presence of diseases and environmental conditions at the time of the races, were described. A total of 96 racing pigeons from 4 pigeon flocks were examined, and health monitoring was carried out. No helminth eggs and coccidia were found. Trichomonas sp. was confirmed...

Background Inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to the development and progression of heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the association between inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). Associations between the disease severity marker N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT...

Background Inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to the development and progression of heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the association between inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). Associations between the disease severity marker N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT...

Thermography is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging method for the detection of mid to long-wave infrared radiation emitted from the body surface that allows visualization and quantification of changes in skin surface temperature. Within the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength of infrared radiation is too large to be detected by the human eye, a...

The widespread selenium (Se) deficiency in soil and in feedstuffs from such soil, needs to be prevented by various methods. Recently, biofortification of Se has been carried out by soil fertilization and foliar application of crops. The aim of this study was evaluate the productive traits, Se status and blood metabolic profile in fattening lambs af...

The sport results or exercise achievements of Lipizzaner horses are rarely considered, as their involvement in equestrian sports is rare. As a result, norms for evaluation of their fitness level during training or performance have not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the basal values of various physiological parameters (h...

Cortisol levels were measured in hair, blood and milk in two different cattle breeds, kept under different breeding conditions and with different genetic merit for milk production. Cows and heifers of Holstein and Busha breeds were selected for the study. Cortisol concentration was determined by immunoassays. Cortisol accumulation was determined in...

The aim of our study was to establish whether heat treatment and souring of milk affect its estrone (E1) and 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations. Milk samples were collected from 10 Holstein cows in late pregnancy. Concentrations of E1 and E2 were measured in milk samples that were previously heated to 70 and 95°C for 5 min. Additionally, E1 and E2 c...

The aim of this study was to establish the time course of the annual reproductive cycle in ewes of the Jezersko-Solchava, Bovec and Istrian breeds (n = 24, 8 of each breed) with various production features in the sub-Mediterranean region under field conditions. The ewes were followed over a period of 2.5 years, starting at the age of 3 months. Seru...

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine estrone (E1), 17?-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in processed milk with different fat contents and to compare the concentrations of these hormones in commercial ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processed milk and commercial pasteurized milk. Materials and Methods. Commercial milks...

The aim of this study was to explore metabolic parameters of blood from sheep, and their individual relative importance on the quality and quantity of milk ingredients, with a particular emphasis on the content of bioactive substances that may have a positive effect on human health. Samples of 127 sheep blood and milk were taken during the morning...

The aim of this study was to define the thyroid hormone-like activity of closantel in sheep by measuring some blood parameters that are known to be influenced by thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Our hypothesis was that, if closantel possesses thyroid hormone-like activity, its use under in vivo conditions will result in ch...

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare various endocrine, antioxidant, haematological and biochemical parameters between Coxiella (C.) burnetii positive and negative ewes in order to evaluate the possible effects of infection on selected blood parameters. For this purpose, serum leptin and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations, whole blood gl...

Background The physiological levels of endocrine and metabolic parameters in Slovene autochthonous breeds of sheep are not yet well known, nor are the mechanisms of their adaptability and responses to climate and environmental factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate fluctuations of cortisol, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids...

Reasons for performing studyThe interest in donkeys is growing due to their integration in the systems of ecological farming, among other reasons.Objectives Due to limited reports on leptin concentrations in donkeys, the aim of the presented study was to examine age-dependent and seasonal changes in the circulating leptin concentration in female do...

Export Date: 18 October 2014

Decline in semen quality in humans and increased incidence of male reproductive problems could be caused by different factors, including pesticides that could mimic or block the action of endogenous hormones. If the decline in semen quality is real, and environmental chemicals are at least partially responsible for this decline, similar changes sho...

The aim of the study was to determine changes of serum cortisol and biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme variables in the blood of horses sampled during the pre-slaughter period (in the lairage and in the stunning box) and during exsanguination. A total of 24 Slovenian warm-blooded horses were observed. Blood samples for determination...

17ß-testosterone (testosterone) and 17ß-estradiol (estradiol), together with their synthetic analogues, have been banned in the EU as growth promoters for fattening purposes. A simple, reliable method for their detection in animals is therefore required. Levels of testosterone and estradiol in hair and plasma of Wistar rats have been determined, fo...

Several chemicals, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals have the capacity to interfere with hormone action in the mammalian body. The aim of our study was to establish whether long term exposure to low doses of organophosphorus compound Chlormephos affects the development and function of reproductive tract and endocrine parts of the brain. Adult...

Cyclic excretion of oestrogen and gestagene hormones takes place during the oestrous cycle of ewes, regulating reproductive events. These are also influenced by thyroid hormones and leptin. The aim of the study was to determine the excretion patterns of the mentioned hormones and to study their correlations in Istrian Pramenka breed ewes during the...

Contents To determine seasonal changes in circulating leptin concentrations, as well as leptin fluctuations in various patterns of seasonal ovarian activity, blood samples were taken in 107 Lipizzan fillies aged 1–4 years over the whole year from January to December. Serum concentrations were measured in samples obtained once a month (leptin) or tw...

Daily serum melatonin and leptin concentrations in 48 Lipizzan fillies, aged 1 to 3 years, have been measured during one year. Mean melatonin concentrations ranged from 7.08±0.43 pg/mL in 3-year olds to 9.02 ± 0.73 pg/mL in yearlings (P>0.05). In all age groups, circulating melatonin concentrations peaked in spring and early autumn and decreased in...

The results of few studies on tryptophan supplementation conducted in horses are contradictory and none of these studies have shown that tryptophan is an effective calmative in horses. The objective of the present study was to determine changes in hematological parameters, plasma lactate, serum cortisol and biochemical profile, as well as the behav...

Using the method of standard addition, a commercial EIA for qualitative screening of clenbuterol in bovine urine was validated. The method was robust on the influence of external factors. The recovery was 167.86% and CCβ 618.86 ng/L, and should be considered by presentation of quantitative results. Due to high crossreactivity, high responses are ex...

The aim of this study was to investigate the production and reproduction ability of Slovenian brown-breed dairy cows according to their exposure to negative energy balance (NEB). Body condition score (BCS), concentrations of metabolites such as non esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxy butyrate (BHB), cholesterol and urea were measured on day...

The onset of puberty and duration of seasonal cyclicity in Lipizzan fillies and young mares have been determined mostly by empirical data, but very little is known about the hormonal changes at puberty and during the seasonal cyclicity in this breed. To determine the onset of puberty and the course of the cyclicity in young Lipizzan mares from age...

Contents Benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed in an American Staffordshire Terrier of high breeding value presenting concurrent haematuria. Castration as a treatment was synchronized with the oestrus cycle of a bitch selected for insemination. After castration the cauda epididymis was flushed with Gent ® semen extender and collected spermatoz...

Leptin is a regulator of body weight homeostasis in mammals. Blood levels of leptin are in direct correlation with the amount of adipose tissue in the body. In the present study, leptin levels and body weight were monitored through postnatal development in young boars. Sixteen boars were followed from 6 to 22 weeks of age. There was no significant...

Leptin is a protein hormone synthesized in adipocytes of the white adipose tissue, whose level of expression and secretion parallels the quantity of body fat. Investigations in different species have identified leptin as an indicator of nutritional status and an important regulator of appetite, energy metabolism and body composition. The aim of our...

Plasma leptin concentrations were measured by a commercial multi-species RIA kit in Jezersko-Solchava lambs aged 5 days to 3 months and in rams aged 3 to 12 months. The results were in accordance with the values measured in other breeds of sheep, no sexual dimorphism was detected. A significant increase of plasma leptin concentrations was observed...

Contents Young boars were treated with propiothiouracil to induce hypothyroidism to examine its effects on postnatal testicular development. Treatments with 0.1% 4‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU) in drinking water started after weaning, at 3 weeks of age and all boars were severely hypothyroid at 6 weeks of age as determined by measuring T3 and T4 in blo...

Total and differential leucocyte counts (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) were measured in 140 stallions, 101 mares and 25 foals of Lipizzan breed. The values fell in the normal ranges for warm-blooded horses. Differences between mares and stallions were not significant with the exception of foals, having higher white...

Haematological parameters [red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)] in resting Lipizzan horses were determined for 143 stallions, 104 mares and 25 foals. The mean RBC and WBC value...

The influence of sublethal doses of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on serum T3 and T4 concentrations in Hsd Cpb: Wistar rats of both sexes was studied. The trial was performed on 24 males and females respectively, each divided into three groups of 8 animals (control, groups 1 and 2). Aqueous solution of the compound (11 mg/kg body weight -...

The aim of the study was to test the applicability of commercial progesterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit for faecal gestagen determination in sows. Faecal and blood samples were collected every second day from oestrus until d 16, and every day from d 16 until d 21 of oestrous cycle or pregnancy. Extraction of gestagens from faeces was performed b...