This study was to assess the effect of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) in the diet of sows, taking into account the physiological period (pregnancy or lactation) and reproductive cycle (primiparous or multiparous sows), on production performance, nutrient digestibility, colostrum immunoglobulin content, and microbial flora in sows. The experimental material included 30 primiparous gilts and 30 multiparous sows after their second lactation. The animals in the control groups CG (gilts) and CS (sows) received a standard diet for pregnant or lactating sows, depending on the reproductive period. Experimental groups EG and ES comprised gilts and multiparous sows, respectively, receiving a diet with a 4% share of FRSM in place of soybean meal up to 100 d of gestation. In addition, from 100 d of gestation to 7 d of lactation, the sows in experimental groups received a diet with a 9% share of FRSM, and then again a diet with a 4% share of FRSM until the end of lactation. The addition of 4% to 9% share of a FRSM component in feed significantly improves production parameters, mainly in primiparous gilts, leading to an increase in litter size and in litter weight at 28 d of age. It also helps to improve the digestibility of crude protein, fat, and crude fiber, and positively affects the gut microbiota of sows. Fermentation of rapeseed meal is an effective way to reduce anti-nutrients and to increase the level of lactic acid in the diet. It also stimulates the immune system, which improves piglet health, reducing the severity of diarrhoea and mortality.

Prototheca mastitis has recently become an emerging disease; although its incidence is increasing steadily, its epidemiology remains largely understudied. The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of Prototheca spp. in dairy cows and their environment in Lublin province, covering most of southeastern Poland. Between December 2015 and July 2016, a total of 172 milking cows from 10 dairy farms were inspected for mastitis using clinical examination and the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Quarter milk samples (QMS, n = 179) and body site swabs (n = 151) from CMT-positive cows were collected for microbiological culture. In addition, we evaluated QMS and body site swabs from 23 healthy cows, along with 91 environmental samples. Of 100 CMT-positive cows, 71 had at least one QMS positive for microbial growth. In 8 (11.3%) of these cows, originating from 7 dairy farms, Prototheca spp. were cultured. The average somatic cell count of the Prototheca-containing milk was 4.02 × 10⁶ cells/mL compared with 0.13 × 10⁶ cells/mL of the Prototheca-free milk (collected from control animals). No significant differences were observed between mastitis and control cows with respect to counts of total white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Half of the cows with Prototheca spp. in their milk did not yield the algae from other anatomical sites. Eight cows were negative for the presence of Prototheca spp. in their milk but positive for the algae in swabs from anatomical sites. Among the environmental sources that were positive for Prototheca growth were watering troughs, manure, feed, and mud. All (45) Prototheca isolates recovered in this study were subjected to species- and genotype-level molecular identification. All QMS and most of the animal swabs (90%) yielded Prototheca zopfii genotype (gen.) 2. Of the animal samples, P. zopfii gen. 1 and Prototheca blaschkeae were isolated only from feces and rectum. Environmental samples grew either P. zopfii gen. 2 (67%) or P. zopfii gen. 1 (33%). This study demonstrates that P. zopfii gen. 2 is the third most common pathogen of mastitis in cattle in southeast Poland, with an overall incidence of 4.6%. Finding Prototheca spp., including P. zopfii gen. 1 and 2 and P. blaschkeae, in stool and rectal swabs from healthy animals may suggest their role as nonpathogenic microflora of bovine gut.

Summary: The Prototheca algae have recently emerged as an important cause of bovine mastitis globally. Here, we present results of a first large‐scale, cross‐country survey on the prevalence of Prototheca spp. in dairy cows, and their environment in Poland. A total of 1211 samples were collected and microbiologically analysed. Included within this number were milk ( n  =   638), body swabs ( n  =   374) and environmental samples ( n  =   199), originating from 400 dairy cows and their surroundings, on 16 dairy farms, based in all major provinces of the country. Prototheca spp. were the third, after Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp., most common mastitis pathogens. The overall prevalence of protothecal mastitis was 8.3% (33/400), with the majority (75.8%) of cases having a subclinical course, and all but one attributable to P. zopfii genotype 2. Prototheca spp. were cultured from body swabs of both healthy and mastitic cows, yet the isolation rate among the latter was conspicuously lower (12.3% vs. 17.8%). Forty‐two (21.2%) environmental samples yielded growth of Prototheca spp. However, no clear association between Prototheca mastitis in dairy cows and the algal isolation from the herd environment was found. Nor was there any association between the environmental recovery of the algae and farm management practices.

Open Access Agricultural Journals published by Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information

The sample consisted of 480 hatching eggs of Japanese quails and was divided into 4 groups. Before the transfer to the incubator, the first group was not disinfected (negative control). In the second group, eggs were disinfected by means of formaldehyde fumigation (positive control). In the third and fourth group, reactive oxygen forms were used for disinfection- perhydrol (H2O2) and ozone (O3), respectively. Eggs were incubated under standard conditions. On the 14th D, eggs were candled, and proportions of fertilized eggs and died embryos were calculated. In addition, samples were collected for microbiological examination. After 17.5 D, the results of the whole hatching were evaluated. Chicks were reared for 14 D. Their survivability and body weight gain were recorded. Disinfection by means of reactive oxygen forms did not prove to be more effective in reducing the number of bacterial colonies on the shell. Reduced hatching and significantly increased mortality in the O3 group may indicate the negative impact of this gas on developing embryos. The results of hatching from eggs disinfected with H2O2 did not differ from those obtained in control groups. The biggest chicks were obtained from O3 disinfected eggs. However, during rearing, their growth did not match the one observed for birds in the remaining groups. Chicks hatched from eggs disinfected with H2O2 were characterized by the largest survivability. Disinfection with reactive oxygen forms did not significantly improve the hygiene of hatching eggs, hatching performance, and quality of hatched chicks. Hydrogen peroxide, whose application offered satisfactory hatching results, may be the recommended disinfectant. On the other hand, O3 appears to be undesirable because of its negative impact on bird embryos.