Tomislav Mašek - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Tomislav Mašek

Research paper thumbnail of Utjecaj mikotoksina na zdravlje i proizvodnost preživača

Pregledno znanstveni članak UDK: 636.2.4 Primljeno: 15. ožujak 2006.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of live yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance of grazing dairy sheep in late lactation

A feeding trial was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of live yeast cells ( saccharomy... more A feeding trial was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of live yeast cells ( saccharomyces cerevisiae ) on milk production and composition, and on blood parameters in late lactation. The experiment was performed on forty Croatian crossbred dairy sheep divided into a control group without live yeast cells (CD = control diet) and the experimental group with live

Research paper thumbnail of Sojina i suncokretova sačma kao zamjene za riblje brašno u hrani za tovne piliće

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of the addition of thymol, tannic acid or gallic acid to broiler diet on growth performance, serum malondialdehyde value and cecal fermentation

An experiment was conducted to test the effects of different phenolic compounds on growth perform... more An experiment was conducted to test the effects of different phenolic compounds on growth performance and cecal fermentation patterns in growing broiler chicken. Sixty Ross 308 chicken broilers were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments. Each treatment had 3 replicates with 5 birds per replicate pen. Treatments differed in the supplement added to the feed: control (CON), 200 mg/kg of thymol (THY), 5 g/kg of tannic acid (TAN) and 5 g/kg of gallic acid (GAL). The inclusion of tannic acid improved final body weight. Feed utilization was improved in all experimental groups. The dietary inclusion of tannic acid and gallic acid significantly increased the concentrations of total SCFA concentration and acetic acid. Tannic acid decreased propionic acid molar ratio and cecal pH value. It was concluded that tannic acid and gallic acid supplementation around 5 g/kg could be beneficial for the fermentation processes in the caecum of broilers. Thymol addition at 200 mg/kg increases antioxid...

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolic profile in late pregnancy as an indicator of milk production of dairy sheep

Research paper thumbnail of The analysis of the histometabolic properties of some sceletal muscles of Lika's Pramenka breed male lambs as a possible basis for assessment of improving the race

Research paper thumbnail of Relationship between fructosamine with serum protein, albumin and glucose concentrations in dairy ewes

Small Ruminant Research, 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in blood fructosamine concentrations of ewes ... more The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in blood fructosamine concentrations of ewes during late pregnancy and lactation. The relationship of serum fructosamine to changes in the serum glucose and blood protein and albumin concentrations were measured in 10 crossbred dairy ewes. Blood was sampled 10 days prior to lambing (D−10), on day 10 (D+10), day 20

Research paper thumbnail of Growth performance, serum lipids and fatty acid profile of different tissues in chicken broilers fed a diet supplemented with linseed oil during a prolonged fattening period

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of nestin in superior cervical ganglia of rats is influenced by gender and gonadectomy

Journal of chemical neuroanatomy, 2015

Neurons and glia arise from neural progenitor cells that express nestin. Although substantial cha... more Neurons and glia arise from neural progenitor cells that express nestin. Although substantial changes in neuronal development were observed during the postnatal period, data concerning dynamics of nestin expression in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) of rat during that period are lacking. It is known that gonadectomy and steroid hormones influence the development of neurons in the SCG during the postnatal period, but there are no data on how they influence the persistence of nestin expression in the SCG cells. The dynamics of nestin expression in the SCG in rats of three age groups, as well as the influence of gender and gonadectomy, was investigated. Three groups of male rats were sacrificed at 2, 3 and 6 months of age. Additional groups of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were gonadectomized at the age of 2 months. After 30 days, they were sacrificed and SCGs were harvested and processed immunohistochemically. Immunoreactivity for nestin in the SCG was observed in satellite ...

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of age on bone metabolism in mares during late pregnancy and lactation

Research in veterinary science, 2014

The concentrations of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), osteocal... more The concentrations of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), osteocalcin (OCN), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) were measured in the blood serum of two age groups of mares during late pregnancy (70-50 days before foaling), during early lactation and at the peak of lactation (10-30 and 55-80 days after foaling, respectively). During late pregnancy, the PTH was higher in older (8-19 years old), compared to younger animals (3.5-4 years old) (P < 0.05). The OCN was higher in younger group during late pregnancy (P < 0.05). IGF-I was higher in the younger group during early lactation, in comparison to late pregnancy and the peak of lactation (P < 0.05). IGF-I did not differ between two age groups of mares. The results indicate on the differences in adaptation of bone metabolism to late pregnancy and lactation in older animals, in comparison to younger animals, reflected by elevated PTH secretion.

Research paper thumbnail of Long-term streptozotocin diabetes impairs arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid metabolism and ∆5 desaturation indices in aged rats

Experimental gerontology, 2014

We have investigated the long term effects of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the f... more We have investigated the long term effects of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the fatty acid profile of tissues in aging rats. For this purpose, a rat model for IDDM was established by streptozotocin application. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of 8 animals each: CON 6 (control group sacrificed after 6 months of the experiment), CON 12 (control group sacrificed after 12 months of the experiment), DM 6 (streptozotocin treated and sacrificed after 6 months of diabetes) and DM 12 (streptozotocin treated and sacrificed after 12 months of diabetes). The periods of 6 and 12 months were taken to observe the changes in lipid metabolism for chronic, long-term diabetes. Fatty acid profiles of the liver and skeletal muscle total lipids and phospholipids as well as desaturation indices for ∆6 desaturase (D6D), ∆5 desaturase (∆6D), ∆9 desaturase (∆9D) and de novo lipogenesis index (DNL) were estimated. Additionally the long-term effects (12 months) were tested in th...

Research paper thumbnail of Copunisation of pheasants at different age

The effects of caponisation on live weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics and blood plasma... more The effects of caponisation on live weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics and blood plasma values of pheasants were examined. Eighty pheasants reared in feathered game nurserie were included in experiment. The birds were castrated at 8 or 12 weeks of age. The age of castration up to 12 weeks showed complete testicular regeneration while when castration was performed at 8 weeks of age testicular regeneration reached 25%. Pheasant capons, that were fed higher protein diet, showed lower live weights but higher dressing percentages than game pheasants. Weight and weight gain of pheasant capons were increased till December. Blood plasma values showed significantly higher levels (P<0.01) of Ca, total protein and albumin for pheasant capons but these differences were related to composition of feed mixtures. We concluded that pheasant capons fed higher protein diet represents better commercial product than pheasant reared as game animals but that more studies under different feedi...

Research paper thumbnail of Non-invasive monitoring of cortisol metabolites level in farmed brown hare (Lepus europaeus)

Non-invasive monitoring of cortisol metabolites level in farmed brown hare (Lepus europaeus). Vet... more Non-invasive monitoring of cortisol metabolites level in farmed brown hare (Lepus europaeus). Vet. arhiv 76, S251-S257, 2006. ABSTRACT Cage breeding technology of hares (Lepus europaeus) was established on some mini farms in Croatia in order to produce sufficient number of hares for hunting as well as for repopulation purposes. Conditions in hare's cage breeding cause certain level of stress. Influence of stress on reproduction and health status caused by daily manipulation was previously undetectable. Measuring of corticosteroid metabolite 11,17-dioxoandrostan (11,17 DOA) in hare faeces was tested as non-invasive method of stress detection. Therefore we analyzed stress status due to daily manipulation in mating couple in the beginning of reproduction season and after it. Samples were not collected as individual but as average to represent couple sample. The 11,17 DOA level showed less significant difference between couples in the reproductive season and more significant differe...

Research paper thumbnail of Serum parameters of intensively reared common pheasant (Phisianus colchicus) during fattening

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of PTHrP and PTH/PTHrP receptor 1 in the superior cervical ganglia of rats

Neuropeptides

PTHrP and its receptor PTHR1 are found in the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The presence of ... more PTHrP and its receptor PTHR1 are found in the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The presence of PTHrP mRNA has been detected in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), but there are no data on the cellular distribution of PTHrP and PTHR1 in the SCG. Although it is known that ovarian activity and reproductive status influence sympathetic activity, and the PTHrP/PTHR1 system is influenced by estrogens in different tissues, it is not known whether these factors have a similar effect on expression of PTHrP and PTHR1 in the nervous system. Hence, we investigated the presence and distribution of PTHrP and PTHR1 in neurons and glia of the SCG of rats, as well as the influence of ovariectomy on their expression, by using immunohistochemistry. PTHrP and PTHR1 immunoreactivity was observed in cytoplasm as well as in nuclei of almost all neurons in the SCG. In male rats, intensity of PTHrP fluorescence was significantly higher in cytoplasm of NPY-, in comparison to NPY+ neurons (p<0.05). In ...

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of early castration on production performance, serum lipids, fatty acid profile and desaturation indexes in male chicken broilers fed a diet with increased fat content

Research paper thumbnail of Hranidba i postupak s mliječnim kravama u suhostaju (Nutrition and management of dairy cows in dry period)

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and gonadectomy influence on neurons in superior cervical ganglia of sexually mature rats

Neuroscience Letters, 2014

Gonadal hormones have a significant influence on both the number of neurons and the density of sy... more Gonadal hormones have a significant influence on both the number of neurons and the density of synapses in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) during the early postnatal period. There are no studies reporting influence of the absence of these factors in sexually mature animals, although changes in SCG-neurons of the rat were observed up to 6 months of age. Hence, we investigated whether gonadectomy of sexually mature rats influences morphological properties of neurons in the SCG of the rat and if so, would it have a specific effect on neurochemically distinct subpopulations. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were gonadectomized at the age of two months. After 30 days, they were sacrificed and SCGs were harvested and processed immunohistochemically. The mean diameter of NPY- neurons was greater in male rats, in comparison to all other groups (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). The number of NPY+, NPY- and total neurons per section area was significantly higher in female than in male, orchidectomized or the ovariectomized animals (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). The share of the different neuronal populations in the SCG that were encircled with calretinin-positive baskets (c.b+) or c.b.- (NPY+ or NPY-) was significantly influenced by the gender of the animals and gonadectomy, with significantly more c.b.+ in male animals (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). Results of the present study indicate that substantial changes in the SCG neurons of the rat occur after reaching sexual maturity, and are influenced by the gonadectomy.

Research paper thumbnail of Serologic Evidence of Leptospira spp. Serovars in Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Liver enzymes and blood metabolites in a population of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) naturally infected with Fascioloides magna

Journal of Helminthology, 2012

We investigated the effects of Fascioloides magna infection on the serum biochemistry values of t... more We investigated the effects of Fascioloides magna infection on the serum biochemistry values of the naturally infected red deer population in eastern Croatia. The investigation was performed on 47 red deer with F. magna infection confirmed patho-anatomically in 27 animals (57.4%). Fibrous capsules and migratory lesions were found in 14 deer while only fibrous capsules without migratory lesions were found in 13 deer. In 13 deer both immature and mature flukes were found, in 5 deer only immature flukes were found and in 9 deer only mature flukes were found. Fascioloides magna infected deer with fibrous capsules and migratory lesions had significantly higher values for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose compared to uninfected deer. Fascioloides magna infected deer with fibrous capsules without the presence of migratory lesions had higher values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose, than the uninfected deer. The number of immature flukes was positively correlated with values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), g-glutamyltransferase (GGT), LDH, GLDH, urea and triglycerides. The number of migratory lesions was positively correlated with GGT, GLDH, globulin and urea values. The creatinine value was positively correlated with the number of mature flukes. The trial showed that F. magna infection causes significant changes in serum biochemistry. Moreover, these changes do not completely resemble changes following F. hepatica infection. Further investigation of changes in liver enzymes and other serum metabolites in controlled, experimentally induced fascioloidosis in red deer is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of F. magna.

Research paper thumbnail of Utjecaj mikotoksina na zdravlje i proizvodnost preživača

Pregledno znanstveni članak UDK: 636.2.4 Primljeno: 15. ožujak 2006.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of live yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance of grazing dairy sheep in late lactation

A feeding trial was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of live yeast cells ( saccharomy... more A feeding trial was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of live yeast cells ( saccharomyces cerevisiae ) on milk production and composition, and on blood parameters in late lactation. The experiment was performed on forty Croatian crossbred dairy sheep divided into a control group without live yeast cells (CD = control diet) and the experimental group with live

Research paper thumbnail of Sojina i suncokretova sačma kao zamjene za riblje brašno u hrani za tovne piliće

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of the addition of thymol, tannic acid or gallic acid to broiler diet on growth performance, serum malondialdehyde value and cecal fermentation

An experiment was conducted to test the effects of different phenolic compounds on growth perform... more An experiment was conducted to test the effects of different phenolic compounds on growth performance and cecal fermentation patterns in growing broiler chicken. Sixty Ross 308 chicken broilers were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments. Each treatment had 3 replicates with 5 birds per replicate pen. Treatments differed in the supplement added to the feed: control (CON), 200 mg/kg of thymol (THY), 5 g/kg of tannic acid (TAN) and 5 g/kg of gallic acid (GAL). The inclusion of tannic acid improved final body weight. Feed utilization was improved in all experimental groups. The dietary inclusion of tannic acid and gallic acid significantly increased the concentrations of total SCFA concentration and acetic acid. Tannic acid decreased propionic acid molar ratio and cecal pH value. It was concluded that tannic acid and gallic acid supplementation around 5 g/kg could be beneficial for the fermentation processes in the caecum of broilers. Thymol addition at 200 mg/kg increases antioxid...

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolic profile in late pregnancy as an indicator of milk production of dairy sheep

Research paper thumbnail of The analysis of the histometabolic properties of some sceletal muscles of Lika's Pramenka breed male lambs as a possible basis for assessment of improving the race

Research paper thumbnail of Relationship between fructosamine with serum protein, albumin and glucose concentrations in dairy ewes

Small Ruminant Research, 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in blood fructosamine concentrations of ewes ... more The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in blood fructosamine concentrations of ewes during late pregnancy and lactation. The relationship of serum fructosamine to changes in the serum glucose and blood protein and albumin concentrations were measured in 10 crossbred dairy ewes. Blood was sampled 10 days prior to lambing (D−10), on day 10 (D+10), day 20

Research paper thumbnail of Growth performance, serum lipids and fatty acid profile of different tissues in chicken broilers fed a diet supplemented with linseed oil during a prolonged fattening period

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of nestin in superior cervical ganglia of rats is influenced by gender and gonadectomy

Journal of chemical neuroanatomy, 2015

Neurons and glia arise from neural progenitor cells that express nestin. Although substantial cha... more Neurons and glia arise from neural progenitor cells that express nestin. Although substantial changes in neuronal development were observed during the postnatal period, data concerning dynamics of nestin expression in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) of rat during that period are lacking. It is known that gonadectomy and steroid hormones influence the development of neurons in the SCG during the postnatal period, but there are no data on how they influence the persistence of nestin expression in the SCG cells. The dynamics of nestin expression in the SCG in rats of three age groups, as well as the influence of gender and gonadectomy, was investigated. Three groups of male rats were sacrificed at 2, 3 and 6 months of age. Additional groups of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were gonadectomized at the age of 2 months. After 30 days, they were sacrificed and SCGs were harvested and processed immunohistochemically. Immunoreactivity for nestin in the SCG was observed in satellite ...

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of age on bone metabolism in mares during late pregnancy and lactation

Research in veterinary science, 2014

The concentrations of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), osteocal... more The concentrations of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), osteocalcin (OCN), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) were measured in the blood serum of two age groups of mares during late pregnancy (70-50 days before foaling), during early lactation and at the peak of lactation (10-30 and 55-80 days after foaling, respectively). During late pregnancy, the PTH was higher in older (8-19 years old), compared to younger animals (3.5-4 years old) (P < 0.05). The OCN was higher in younger group during late pregnancy (P < 0.05). IGF-I was higher in the younger group during early lactation, in comparison to late pregnancy and the peak of lactation (P < 0.05). IGF-I did not differ between two age groups of mares. The results indicate on the differences in adaptation of bone metabolism to late pregnancy and lactation in older animals, in comparison to younger animals, reflected by elevated PTH secretion.

Research paper thumbnail of Long-term streptozotocin diabetes impairs arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid metabolism and ∆5 desaturation indices in aged rats

Experimental gerontology, 2014

We have investigated the long term effects of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the f... more We have investigated the long term effects of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the fatty acid profile of tissues in aging rats. For this purpose, a rat model for IDDM was established by streptozotocin application. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of 8 animals each: CON 6 (control group sacrificed after 6 months of the experiment), CON 12 (control group sacrificed after 12 months of the experiment), DM 6 (streptozotocin treated and sacrificed after 6 months of diabetes) and DM 12 (streptozotocin treated and sacrificed after 12 months of diabetes). The periods of 6 and 12 months were taken to observe the changes in lipid metabolism for chronic, long-term diabetes. Fatty acid profiles of the liver and skeletal muscle total lipids and phospholipids as well as desaturation indices for ∆6 desaturase (D6D), ∆5 desaturase (∆6D), ∆9 desaturase (∆9D) and de novo lipogenesis index (DNL) were estimated. Additionally the long-term effects (12 months) were tested in th...

Research paper thumbnail of Copunisation of pheasants at different age

The effects of caponisation on live weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics and blood plasma... more The effects of caponisation on live weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics and blood plasma values of pheasants were examined. Eighty pheasants reared in feathered game nurserie were included in experiment. The birds were castrated at 8 or 12 weeks of age. The age of castration up to 12 weeks showed complete testicular regeneration while when castration was performed at 8 weeks of age testicular regeneration reached 25%. Pheasant capons, that were fed higher protein diet, showed lower live weights but higher dressing percentages than game pheasants. Weight and weight gain of pheasant capons were increased till December. Blood plasma values showed significantly higher levels (P<0.01) of Ca, total protein and albumin for pheasant capons but these differences were related to composition of feed mixtures. We concluded that pheasant capons fed higher protein diet represents better commercial product than pheasant reared as game animals but that more studies under different feedi...

Research paper thumbnail of Non-invasive monitoring of cortisol metabolites level in farmed brown hare (Lepus europaeus)

Non-invasive monitoring of cortisol metabolites level in farmed brown hare (Lepus europaeus). Vet... more Non-invasive monitoring of cortisol metabolites level in farmed brown hare (Lepus europaeus). Vet. arhiv 76, S251-S257, 2006. ABSTRACT Cage breeding technology of hares (Lepus europaeus) was established on some mini farms in Croatia in order to produce sufficient number of hares for hunting as well as for repopulation purposes. Conditions in hare's cage breeding cause certain level of stress. Influence of stress on reproduction and health status caused by daily manipulation was previously undetectable. Measuring of corticosteroid metabolite 11,17-dioxoandrostan (11,17 DOA) in hare faeces was tested as non-invasive method of stress detection. Therefore we analyzed stress status due to daily manipulation in mating couple in the beginning of reproduction season and after it. Samples were not collected as individual but as average to represent couple sample. The 11,17 DOA level showed less significant difference between couples in the reproductive season and more significant differe...

Research paper thumbnail of Serum parameters of intensively reared common pheasant (Phisianus colchicus) during fattening

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of PTHrP and PTH/PTHrP receptor 1 in the superior cervical ganglia of rats

Neuropeptides

PTHrP and its receptor PTHR1 are found in the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The presence of ... more PTHrP and its receptor PTHR1 are found in the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The presence of PTHrP mRNA has been detected in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), but there are no data on the cellular distribution of PTHrP and PTHR1 in the SCG. Although it is known that ovarian activity and reproductive status influence sympathetic activity, and the PTHrP/PTHR1 system is influenced by estrogens in different tissues, it is not known whether these factors have a similar effect on expression of PTHrP and PTHR1 in the nervous system. Hence, we investigated the presence and distribution of PTHrP and PTHR1 in neurons and glia of the SCG of rats, as well as the influence of ovariectomy on their expression, by using immunohistochemistry. PTHrP and PTHR1 immunoreactivity was observed in cytoplasm as well as in nuclei of almost all neurons in the SCG. In male rats, intensity of PTHrP fluorescence was significantly higher in cytoplasm of NPY-, in comparison to NPY+ neurons (p<0.05). In ...

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of early castration on production performance, serum lipids, fatty acid profile and desaturation indexes in male chicken broilers fed a diet with increased fat content

Research paper thumbnail of Hranidba i postupak s mliječnim kravama u suhostaju (Nutrition and management of dairy cows in dry period)

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and gonadectomy influence on neurons in superior cervical ganglia of sexually mature rats

Neuroscience Letters, 2014

Gonadal hormones have a significant influence on both the number of neurons and the density of sy... more Gonadal hormones have a significant influence on both the number of neurons and the density of synapses in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) during the early postnatal period. There are no studies reporting influence of the absence of these factors in sexually mature animals, although changes in SCG-neurons of the rat were observed up to 6 months of age. Hence, we investigated whether gonadectomy of sexually mature rats influences morphological properties of neurons in the SCG of the rat and if so, would it have a specific effect on neurochemically distinct subpopulations. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were gonadectomized at the age of two months. After 30 days, they were sacrificed and SCGs were harvested and processed immunohistochemically. The mean diameter of NPY- neurons was greater in male rats, in comparison to all other groups (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). The number of NPY+, NPY- and total neurons per section area was significantly higher in female than in male, orchidectomized or the ovariectomized animals (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). The share of the different neuronal populations in the SCG that were encircled with calretinin-positive baskets (c.b+) or c.b.- (NPY+ or NPY-) was significantly influenced by the gender of the animals and gonadectomy, with significantly more c.b.+ in male animals (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). Results of the present study indicate that substantial changes in the SCG neurons of the rat occur after reaching sexual maturity, and are influenced by the gonadectomy.

Research paper thumbnail of Serologic Evidence of Leptospira spp. Serovars in Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Liver enzymes and blood metabolites in a population of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) naturally infected with Fascioloides magna

Journal of Helminthology, 2012

We investigated the effects of Fascioloides magna infection on the serum biochemistry values of t... more We investigated the effects of Fascioloides magna infection on the serum biochemistry values of the naturally infected red deer population in eastern Croatia. The investigation was performed on 47 red deer with F. magna infection confirmed patho-anatomically in 27 animals (57.4%). Fibrous capsules and migratory lesions were found in 14 deer while only fibrous capsules without migratory lesions were found in 13 deer. In 13 deer both immature and mature flukes were found, in 5 deer only immature flukes were found and in 9 deer only mature flukes were found. Fascioloides magna infected deer with fibrous capsules and migratory lesions had significantly higher values for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose compared to uninfected deer. Fascioloides magna infected deer with fibrous capsules without the presence of migratory lesions had higher values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose, than the uninfected deer. The number of immature flukes was positively correlated with values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), g-glutamyltransferase (GGT), LDH, GLDH, urea and triglycerides. The number of migratory lesions was positively correlated with GGT, GLDH, globulin and urea values. The creatinine value was positively correlated with the number of mature flukes. The trial showed that F. magna infection causes significant changes in serum biochemistry. Moreover, these changes do not completely resemble changes following F. hepatica infection. Further investigation of changes in liver enzymes and other serum metabolites in controlled, experimentally induced fascioloidosis in red deer is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of F. magna.