The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that carcass traits, quality and oxidative stability of meat, and fatty acids profile in intramuscular fat (IMF) of M. longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) and backfat (BF) are different between the observed genotypes of pigs. A total of 64 animals were included in the experiment, 32 pigs of native breed Prestice Black-Pied breed (PBP) and 32 pigs of hybrid combination Large White × Landrace sows × Duroc × Pietrain boars (LWLDP). PBP pigs showed higher values of IMF (P≤0.01) and BF, lower lean meat content and drip loss value (P≤0.001) than the LWLDP hybrid. The value of pH_45,24 was higher (P≤0.05) in PBP pigs. The analysis of fatty acid profile in MLLT showed higher content of C8:0 (P≤0.01), C10:0 (P≤0.01), C15:0 (P≤0.01), C22:0 (P≤0.05), C18:1 n-9 (P≤0.01), C18:3 n-6 (P≤0.001), C20:3 n-3 (P≤0.05), C20:4 n-6 (P≤0.01), C22:4 n-6 (P≤0.05), C22:5 n-3 (P≤0.01) and C22:6 n-3 (P≤0.01) in LWLDP than in PBP pigs. The opposite trend was observed in C18:1 n-9 (P≤0.01) and C20:5 n-3 (P≤0.01). Higher content of MUFA as well as the MUFA/SFA ratio were found in PBP breed (P≤0.01). Higher levels of C10:0 (P≤0.01), C12:0 (P≤0.01), C14:0 (P≤0.001), C16:0 (P≤0.001), C14:1 n-5 (P≤0.01), C16:1 n-7 (P≤0.05), C18:1 n-7 (P≤0.001), C20:5 n-3 (P≤0.01) and C22:6 n-3 (P≤0.05) in BF were found in LWLDP pigs, however the content of C24:1 n-9 (P≤0.01), C18:2 n-6 (P≤0.05), C18: n-3 (P≤0.05), C20:4 n-6 (P≤0.01) and C22:5 n-3 (P≤0.01) was higher in PBP pigs. SFA content was higher (P≤0.001) in LWLDP hybrid, but PUFA (P≤0.01), n-6 PUFA (P≤0.05) and mainly n-3 PUFA (P≤0.01) were higher in PBP pigs. In BF, the MUFA/SFA (P≤0.05) and PUFA/SFA (P≤0.001) ratios were higher in PBP pigs; on the contrary the MUFA/PUFA (P≤0.05) ratio was higher in LWLDP pigs.

Development of new nanomaterials that inhibit or kill bacteria is an important and timely research topic. For example, financial losses due to infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are a major concern in livestock productions around the world. Antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising alternative to antibiotics and may lower antibiotic use and consequently spread of antibiotic resistance traits among bacteria, including pathogens. Four formulations of zinc nanoparticles (ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD) based on phosphates with spherical (ZnA, ZnB) or irregular (ZnC, ZnD) morphology were prepared. The highest in vitro inhibitory effect of our NPs was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibitory concentration values, IC50, ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 mmol/L), followed by Escherichia coli (IC50 0.8–1.5 mmol/L). In contrast, methicillin resistant S. aureus (IC50 1.2–4.7 mmol/L) was least affected and this was similar to inhibitory patterns of commercial ZnO-based NPs and ZnO. After the successful in vitro testing, the in vivo study with rats based on dietary supplementation with zinc NPs was conducted. Four groups of rats were treated by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD, for comparison two groups were supplemented by 2,000 mg Zn/kg diet of ZnO-N and ZnO, and one group (control) was fed only by basal diet. The significantly higher (P < 0.05) Zn level in liver and kidney of all treated groups was found, nevertheless Zn NPs did not greatly influence antioxidant status of rats. However, the total aerobic and coliform bacterial population in rat feces significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all zinc groups after 30 d of the treatment. Furthermore, when compared to the ZnO group, ZnA and ZnC nanoparticles reduced coliforms significantly more (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that phosphate-based zinc nanoparticles have the potential to act as antibiotic agents.

The study was designed for the comparison of barrows and gilts of two contrasting genotypes in terms of growth ability, carcass value and meat quality. A total of 76 pigs (from 7 ± 1 kg to 95 ± 6 kg) of the indigenous breed Prestice Black-Pied (PB) and the commercial hybrid of Large White × Landrace × Large White_sireline (CH) were included in this study. The groups were balanced regarding genotype and sex. Live weight at the age of 79 days (p < 0.001), live weight at slaughter (p < 0.01), average daily gain (p < 0.001), weight of carcass and left carcass side (p < 0.05) and ham proportion (p < 0.001) were higher in the CH group. The values of the given parameters were higher in barrows than in gilts. The effect of genotype and sex interaction was observed in lean meat content (p < 0.05) and backfat thickness (p < 0.01). The CH gilts showed the highest lean meat content and the lowest backfat thickness compared to the lowest values in the PB barrows. The value of pH₄₅ (p < 0.01) and intramuscular fat content were higher in the PB group. The lightness (p < 0.001), yellowness (p < 0.01), drip loss (p < 0.05) and protein content were lower in the PB group. Higher values of lightness (p < 0.05), yellowness (p < 0.05) and cholesterol content (p < 0.05) were observed in the boars. Oxidative stability of the meat (malondialdehyde content) was more favorable in the PB pigs. The effect of genotype and sex interaction was confirmed for the pH₂₄ value (the highest value was found in the PB barrows and the lowest in the CH barrows, p < 0.001) and for the dry matter content (lowest in the PB gilts and highest in the CH barrows, p < 0.05). Overall, the PB pigs were characterized by inferior growth and carcass parameters, however, with more favorable parameters for meat quality.

Selenium is an essential compound which can influence the fertility of boars by a greater margin. In past decades, research was mainly focused on a bioavailability of various selenium forms and the effect on semen quality. Recently, nanotechnology has expanded the possibilities of selenium supplementation research. Twenty-one Duroc boars (three groups with seven boars each) were included in this experiment with the first group being a control group with no selenium supplementation, and the second group being supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg of selenium in inorganic form of Na₂SeO₃. The third group was supplemented with selenium nanoparticles (100 nm) at the same dose as that of the second group. The experiment lasted for 126 days (three spermatogenesis cycles of boars) and the antioxidant parameters of boar semen were analysed at 42, 84 and 126 days, respectively. The antioxidant parameters (DPPH, FRAP, DMPD, GSH, GSSG) were not influenced by both Se₂NO₃ and selenium nanoparticle supplementation during this experiment. At the end of the monitored period, significantly higher (p < 0.004) antioxidant readings were observed by using the ABTS method but not the DPPH, DMPD and FRAP methods on the supplemented groups compared to the control. Moreover, selenium-nanoparticle-supplemented groups showed elevated glutathione peroxidase activity in the seminal fluid (p < 0.008). However, the selenium nanoparticle supplementation has not shown an improving effect on sperm quality. This could be considered as a safe alternative to inorganic selenium as well as having a potential to enhance the antioxidant properties of the semen of boars.

Background: Selenium is an essential element; however, at higher doses, it can be toxic. Therefore, alternative nanotechnological solutions are required to overcome toxicological issues, rather than conventional alternatives. Nanoparticles show new and promising properties that may be able to suppress toxicity while maintaining the positive effects of selenium on an organism. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on the antioxidant status of rats.Methods: The males of the outbreed rat strain Wistar albino were selected as a model organism. Animals were fed different forms of selenium. The control group was given a mixture without selenium addition, whereas other groups were fed a mixture containing sodium selenite, Se-49, and Se-100 SeNPs respectively. The duration of the trial was 30 days.Results: Analysis of blood and liver was performed where the concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione, and total selenium content were measured. In the liver, a significant reduction in GSSG was found for all experiment groups. Blood samples showed a significant reduction in GSH and an increase in GSSG.Discussion: These results show that SeNPs may be an alternative to dietary selenium for animal organisms.