Oxidative imbalances in the gestational phase are responsible for certain complications during pregnancy and for foetal and neonatal genetic disorders. In this work, using human amniocytes, we aimed to evaluate the protection provided to foetal DNA by two concentrations of antioxidant molecules, α-lipoic acid (LA) and curcumin (Cur), against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced damage. Genotoxicity tests, performed by the random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) technique and TUNEL tests, showed that the lowest concentration of LA-protected cells and DNA from H₂O₂ insults. However, a greater ability to protect the amniocytes’ DNA against H₂O₂ was observed following co-treatment with the highest concentration of Cur with H₂O₂. In fact, a genomic template stability (GTS%) similar to that of the negative control and a statistically significant reduction in the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were revealed. Moreover, following a combined treatment with both antioxidants and H₂O₂, no statistical difference from controls was observed, in terms of both induced mutations and DNA breaks. Furthermore, no effect on morphology or cell viability was observed. The results demonstrate the ability of LA and Cur to protect the genetic material of amniocytes against genotoxic insults, suggesting their beneficial effects in pathologies related to oxidative stress.

The next generation sequencing has significantly contributed to clarify the genome structure of many species of zootechnical interest. However, to date, some portions of the genome, especially those linked to a heterogametic nature such as the Y chromosome, are difficult to assemble and many gaps are still present. It is well known that the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an excellent tool for identifying genes unequivocably mapped on chromosomes. Therefore, FISH can contribute to the localization of unplaced genome sequences, as well as to correct assembly errors generated by comparative bioinformatics. To this end, it is necessary to have starting points; therefore, in this study, we reviewed the physically mapped genes on the Y chromosome of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and alpacas. A total of 208 loci were currently mapped by FISH. 89 were located in the malespecific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) and 119 were identified in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR). The loci reported in MSY and PAR were respectively: 18 and 25 in Bos taurus, 5 and 7 in Bubalus bubalis, 5 and 24 in Ovis aries, 5 and 19 in Capra hircus, 10 and 16 in Sus scrofa, 46 and 18 in Equus caballus. While in Vicugna pacos only 10 loci are reported in the PAR region. The correct knowledge and assembly of all genome sequences, including those of genes mapped on the Y chromosome, will help to elucidate their biological processes, as well as to discover and exploit potentially epistasis effects useful for selection breeding programs.

Steel manufacturing is responsible for the emission of pollutants, including dioxins and transition metals, inducing reactive oxygen species generation and DNA damage. Dioxin pollution represents the major cause of milk and dairy product contamination, in Italy, and is associated with oxidative stress-related processes, that may impair health and performance of cows. We evaluated the effect of exposure to different concentrations of pollutants derived from steel manufacturing on blood redox homeostasis of bovine cows. We analyzed two groups of dairy cows (A, B), reared in two different polluted areas, and a control group of cows bred in an industry free area. The extent of exposure to contaminants was defined by measuring dioxin level in bulk milk samples collected from animals of each farm. This level was lower in milk of group A than in group B. Plasma concentrations of retinal, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate, the total antioxidant capacity, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were higher in control group than in exposed groups. In particular, retinol and tocopherol levels were higher in the group with lower milk dioxin level. Plasma titers of protein-bound carbonyls (PC), nitro-tyrosine, and hydroperoxides were lower in control group than in A or B. Hydroperoxides and PC plasma concentrations were increased in the group with higher milk concentration of dioxin. Our results demonstrate that, irrespective of the nature of chemicals inducing oxidative modifications, the extent of damage to plasma protein and lipid, is correlated with the concentration of dioxin in milk So, the characterization of blood redox status might be a useful tool for identifying animals exposed to environmental pollutants. Plasma concentrations of retinal, alpha-tocopherol, PC and hydroperoxides could therefore represent good indices of the extent of animal exposure, as they significantly change in groups with different milk concentrations of dioxin. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nowadays, the spread of foodborne diseases and the growing concerns about antibiotic resistance have shifted the focus of researchers towards the use of substances of natural origin. Phenyllactic acid (PLA), a naturally produced compound, has already demonstrated antimicrobial properties against pathogenic microorganisms and those responsible for food spoilage. This study examines the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of PLA against foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella enterica Derby and Escherichia coli O26. The study showed that PLA effectively inhibited both biofilm formation and bacterial planktonic growth, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 2 to 2.75 mg mL⁻¹. A dose-dependent inhibition of biofilm formation was observed, reaching approximately 90% for Salmonella strains and 50% for E. coli at 1.5 mg mL⁻¹. The cytotoxicity evaluation on Caco-2 cells showed that PLA was well-tolerated at concentrations up to 2 mg mL⁻¹. PLA’s effectiveness was also demonstrated in real food matrices, where its application in minced beef stored at 4 °C significantly reduced microbial populations, unlike in untreated samples where bacterial counts increased. PLA showed a good ability to inhibit biofilm formation and eradicate a mature biofilm, measuring the total bacterial biofilm biomass. Additionally, PLA was found to be biocompatible in Caco-2 cells, confirming that it poses no health risk at the tested concentrations. The study also observed that PLA reduced bacterial adhesion to intestinal cells, suggesting its potential in preventing intestinal bacterial colonization. These results highlight PLA as a promising natural antimicrobial agent for food preservation, with potential applications in sustainable packaging and controlling microbial contamination in food processing. Future studies should further explore PLA’s long-term stability and its interactions in complex food environments.