The effects of manganese from organic and inorganic sources supplemented to diets of sheep on intestinal mucus production and on selected biochemical and haematological indicators were investigated. The experiment was carried out on 18 sheep of the Improved Valachian breed aged seven months over the period of four months. The animals were divided into three groups of six animals each (group 1 – control, basal diet with 31 mg Mn/kg, group 2 – basal diet + manganese sulphate (MnSO ₄ ) with 120 mg Mn/kg, group 3 – basal diet + manganese chelate of glycine hydrate (Mn-Gly) with 120 mg Mn/kg). Intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum) were collected and mucus production was assessed using the quantification method. Mucus production in the duodenum and jejunum was significantly lower ( P < 0.05) in group 3 (Mn-Gly) compared to the control and group 2 (MnSO ₄ ). In the duodenum in group 2 (MnSO ₄ ) mucus production was similar to the control. Biochemical indicators were determined using spectrophotometry, and haematological indicators were measured using a haematology analyzer. Significant changes ( P < 0.05) were found for the concentrations of total proteins and albumins. The concentration of total proteins was lower in group 3 (Mn-Gly) compared to the control and group 2 (MnSO ₄ ). In the latter group it was higher compared to the control. The concentration of albumins was higher in group 3 (Mn-Gly) compared to the control and group 2 ( P < 0.05). The results indicate a decrease of intestinal mucus in the group supplemented by Mn-Gly chelate, which may mean a lower mucus barrier for manganese absorption.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the duration of a flaxseed diet on fattening pigs’ antioxidant defence mechanism in blood and tissues. Eighteen 20-week-old Landrace breed fattening pigs (BW 76.61 ± 2.30 kg) were divided into three groups of six animals. The control group was fed a basal diet. The FS3 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 10% flaxseed for 3 weeks. The FS6 group received the same basal diet with flaxseed for 6 weeks. The total antioxidant capacity of the blood, measured as the total antioxidant status (TAS), total plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and total antioxidant capacity (PAT), was not affected by the flaxseed diet. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were significantly decreased in the FS3 pigs in the heart (p < 0.05). However, in the FS3 group, the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity significantly increased compared to the control, but in the FS6 group, the activity was inhibited (p < 0.05). In the muscle, the CAT and GST activity was significantly decreased in the FS3 group (p < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content was significantly reduced in the brain, muscle and heart in the FS3 group(p < 0.05). In FS6, the TBARS content significantly increased in the heart and brain (p < 0.05). Our results showed that the health effect of a flaxseed diet is significantly conditioned by the length of the flaxseed addition.

Microsporidia are unicellular obligate intracellular parasitic fungi that infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. There are two known species of microsporidia infecting honey bees in Slovakia- first Nosema apis and also Nosema ceranae. Our aim was to examine samples of honey bees collected from bee queen breeders in three ecoregions of the Slovak Republic in 2021 and 2022. First, microscopic diagnostics were used, and then randomly selected samples were examined using molecular methods. There were 4018 samples examined using microscopic diagnostics and the positivity was demonstrated in 922 samples. From the microscopically diagnosed positive samples, 507 samples were randomly selected, and using molecular methods, the positivity was proved in 488 samples. After sequencing the positive PCR products and comparing the sequences (BLAST) with the sequences stored in the gene bank, the Nosema ceranae species was detected in all positive samples.