The effect of brown seaweed and polyphenol supplementation in male rabbits on the blood profile and antioxidant markers

Currently, in animal nutrition, the replacement of synthetic substances with natural ones was expected to improve animal health. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary brown seaweed and plant polyphenol mixture in adult male rabbits on the haematological profile and antioxidant markers. Twentyfour adult male rabbits were divided into three experimental groups receiving a control diet (C) or diets supplemented with 0.3% (T1) and 0.6% (T2) of a feed additive containing brown seaweed (Laminaria spp.) and plant extracts of seaweed origin. The trial lasted for 90 days. A lower potassium concentration was observed at 30 days in the T2 group, compared with the T1 and C groups. An increase in the antioxidant status was observed (P < 0.05) from day 60 of the trial in the rabbits fed diets with an algae-polyphenolic supplement (T1 and T2 groups). Concluding, the diet supplementation of brown seaweed and polyphenol stimulates the antioxidant status of the blood, however, it does not affect the haematological profile

Respiratory movements of trout (Salmo trutta L.) larvae during exposure to magnetic field

The effect of steady magnetic field on movement velocity of pectoral fins in trout (Salmo trutta L.) larvae was determined. Newly hatched trout larvae were exposed to magnetic field (51-70 mT). Steady magnetic field was found to cause an increase in movement velocity of pectoral fins of larvae. The number of movements increased significantly until the 6th min after magnetic field application, whereupon - beginning from the 9th min - it gradually dropped

A device for transporting fish gametes and fertilised eggs in a magnetic field

A device for transporting and storage of fish gametes, developing eggs, and newly hatched fry in a constant, adjustable (3-9 mT) magnetic field was constructed. The device has a relatively large, thermally insulated, biological material storage compartment, exposed to highly uniform (± 2.5%) magnetic field

Activation and motility of spermatozoa of vendace (Coregonus albula L.)

The number of activated spermatozoa of vendace (Coregonus albula L.) and their motility under natural conditions at the fishing ground were determined. The percentage of spermatozoa activated upon contact with water was found to be relatively high, and motility period (turbulent and smooth phase of progressive movement, and oscillatory movement) - fairy long, i.e. exceeding 2 min

A device for transporting fish gametes and fertilised eggs in a magnetic field

A device for transporting and storage of fish gametes, developing eggs, and newly hatched fry in a constant, adjustable (3-9 mT) magnetic field was constructed. The device has a relatively large, thermally insulated, biological material storage compartment, exposed to highly uniform (± 2.5%) magnetic field

Effects of constant magnetic fields on respiration of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walb.) embryos

Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walb.) embryos exposed to constant magnetic fields of 5 and 10 mT (oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release) and 50, 150, and 300 mT (oxygen uptake) were measured. The data were compared with those recorded in embryos developing under natural magnetic field (control). The magnetic fields tested were found to stimulate respiratory processes in the rainbow trout embryos as shown by a significantly increased oxygen consumption, particularly during periods of intensified morphogenesis. Exposure to 5 and 10 mT magnetic fields resulted in a slightly higher carbon dioxide release, the oxygen consumption being observed to increase as well. The respiratory quotient of the embryos exposed to magnetic fields was slightly higher than that in the control

Water uptake by trout (Salmo trutta L.) eggs exposed after activation to magnetic field

Study was made of the effect of steady magnetic field (200-250 mT) on water absorption of eggs of trout (Salmo trutta L.). It was found that eggs exposed to magnetic field absorbed water in the initial period of activation (until 30 min) much slower than control eggs. Subsequently water absorption was accelerated to such an extent that after complete formation of the perivitelline space the volumes of the treated and control eggs were the same. The authors interpret the change in water absorption dynamics in terms of a reduction of the permeability of egg membrane, resulting from the effect of magnetic field on liquid crystal making part of its structure

Size of eggs and duration of embryogenesis in fishes

Studies were undertaken on the relationship between egg size and duration of embryogenesis in four freshwater fish species (Salmo trutta L, Esox lucius L., Gasterosteus aculeatus L., Leucaspius delineatus Heck.). Analyses were carried out in a comparative sense (different taxa) as well as with respect to eggs of the same species, or even laid by the same female. In addition to understandable differences of egg size between particular species, considerable differences were observed as regards egg size in fish of the same species, and even originating from the same female. In extreme cases the differences in egg size of the same female reached up to 11 percentage points (linear size) and over 40 (volume)! A strict relationship was found between duration of embryonic development and egg size: the smaller the egg, the shorter its embryogenesis. Biological meaning of this phenomenon has been discussed