Assessing canine semen quality helps to detect infertility in males, but identifying factors that influence canine semen quality is a complicated task. The objective of this study was the assessment of the potential influence of bacteria found in canine semen samples on the characteristics of dogs’ semen. In this study, semen samples were collected manually from 30 dogs and subjected to a comprehensive examination. The results of sperm motility, concentration, viability, and morphology were statistically analysed in relation to the number of bacteria in the semen (CFUs/mL) and the seminal microbiota. Samples with an increased bacterial count per millilitre were associated with lower-quality sperm motility (p < 0.05). The most frequently isolated bacterial genera from the analysed semen samples were Staphylococcus spp. (26.0%), Corynebacterium spp. (17.8%), and Streptococcus spp. (16.4%). The presence of β-haemolytic Escherichia coli bacteria was linked to suboptimal semen samples, characterised by significantly reduced semen viability and a lower proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Corynebacterium spp. was associated with reduced bacterial load and superior semen quality (p < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of bacterial cell counts and microbiota diversity in relation to various factors influencing canine semen quality, providing a more comprehensive understanding of canine reproductive well-being.

Bee pollen (BP) is a very valuable bee product, and its value depends on its proteins, lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and biologically active compounds such as phenolic compounds, which may change depending on the method of pollen preparation after collection and its storage conditions. Therefore, it is very important to determine when the decline in bioactive compounds in BP occurs during storage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the content of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, and to determine the antioxidant activity of BP extracts depending on their preparation method and storage conditions over a 15-month period, with assessments conducted every 3 months. Dried pollen (at +28 °C on the first day and +35 °C on the second day) and frozen (−20 °C and −80 °C) BP samples were prepared. After 3 months of storage, there was no decrease of ascorbic acid in frozen BP; however, it decreased by 20% in dried BP (p < 0.05). It was determined that in frozen BP, the content of total phenolic compounds decreased by 12–14% (p < 0.05) after 6 months, and in dried BP, it decreased by 7% (p < 0.05) after 3 months. The levels of flavonoids decreased by 10–17% (p < 0.05) in BP after 6 months. Chlorogenic and p-coumaric acids have been observed as the most abundant phenolic acids in BP. During storage (the 6–15-month period), the strongest antiradical and reducing activity in vitro was estimated in the frozen (−80 °C) BP, which was 1.8–3.4-fold and 2.6–3.1-fold higher, respectively, compared to the dried BP extracts. In conclusion, significant results were obtained, showing better stability of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid during storage in frozen BP compared to dried pollen. Melisopalynological analysis revealed a polyfloral pollen mixture, with Salix spp. and Brassica napus L. predominating in all samples, comprising 34.3% and 36.8%, respectively. Among these, Acer platanoides L., Malus domestica Borkh., and Taraxacum officinale L. were important minor pollens present in the samples examined.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nine different biological compounds to reduce mycotoxins concentrations. The hypothesis of this study was that a static in vitro gastrointestinal tract model, as an initial screening tool, can be used to simulate the efficacy of Geotrichum fermentans, Rhodotorula rubra, Kluyveromyce marxiamus yeast cell walls and their polysaccharides, red and white clay minerals, and walnuts nutshells claiming to detoxify AFB1, ZEA, DON, and T-2 toxin mycotoxins. Mycotoxin concentrations were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent (FLD) and ultraviolet detectors (UV). The greatest effects on reducing mycotoxin concentrations were determined as follows: for AFB1, inserted G. fermentans cell wall polysaccharides and walnut nutshells; for ZEA, inserted R. rubra and G. fermentans cell walls and red clay minerals; for DON, R. rubra cell wall polysaccharides and red clay minerals; and for T-2 toxin, R. rubra cell walls, K. marxianus, and G. fermentans cell wall polysaccharides and walnut nutshells. The present study indicated that selected mycotoxin-detoxifying biological compounds can be used to decrease mycotoxin concentrations.

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as environmental contaminants capable of interacting with biological systems. However, their presence in livestock reproductive fluids remains relatively unexplored. In swine artificial insemination, boar semen quality is a key determinant of reproductive efficiency, and spermatozoa are highly susceptible to physicochemical stressors present in their surrounding microenvironment. Particulate contaminants such as MPs may therefore represent an overlooked factor relevant to semen quality. The present study investigated the occurrence, polymer composition, and size distribution of MPs in undiluted boar semen using μFTIR spectroscopy. In addition, exploratory analyses were conducted to evaluate potential associations between MPs and semen motility parameters assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system, as well as bacterial load and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacteria isolates. MPs were detected in all analyzed semen samples ( n = 12), with concentration median (min–max) 9.58 (0.48–19.00) MPs/ml. Considerable variability was observed between individual boars and between the two participating breeding facilities. Polyethylene was the most frequently identified polymer. Exploratory analyses revealed that higher concentrations of specific polymers, particularly polyethylene and polyester, were associated with differences in sperm velocity distribution, characterized by a lower proportion of rapidly motile spermatozoa and a higher proportion of spermatozoa with slow velocity. Although there was no association between MPs levels and total bacterial counts, limited statistically significant associations were identified between the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the most frequently isolated bacterial species and specific MPs polymer types. These findings suggest that MPs may be related to sperm function and bacteria–antibiotic interactions within the seminal microenvironment. This study provides, to our knowledge, the first evidence of MPs in boar semen and identifies MPs as a potential environmental contamination factor relevant to semen quality.

Efficient reproductive management in mares relies on the accurate assessment of periovulatory status; however, routine ultrasonographic parameters cannot fully reflect underlying reproductive competence. The aim of this study was to evaluate hormonal (estradiol), inflammatory (IL-6), and clinical (follicle size, uterine edema, age, parity) biomarkers in relation to pregnancy outcome in mares and to assess whether these parameters may provide additional information alongside routine transrectal ultrasonographic evaluation. A total of 31 mares were examined. Estradiol concentration, follicle size, uterine edema score, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration were assessed 24 h prior to insemination. Pregnancy outcomes were determined 14 days post ovulation. Statistical analysis included non-parametric tests and correlation analysis. Estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant compared to non-pregnant mares (p = 0.004). A moderate positive correlation was observed between mare age and estradiol concentration (Spearman’s rho = 0.599, p < 0.01), although age itself was not associated with pregnancy outcome. Stratified analysis confirmed higher estradiol concentrations in pregnant mares within both age groups, with statistical significance observed in younger mares (p = 0.003). No significant associations were found for uterine edema score, follicle size (continuous), or IL-6 concentration. These findings indicate that among the evaluated parameters, estradiol concentration at insemination showed the strongest association with subsequent pregnancy status and may provide additional information about periovulatory reproductive status. Although estradiol concentrations varied with age, its association with fertility was not solely explained by age-related differences. Rather than serving as a stand-alone predictor, peri-insemination estradiol was associated with pregnancy outcome and may provide additional information about periovulatory reproductive status. However, due to the relatively small sample size and observational design, these findings should be interpreted cautiously.