Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is considered one of the most dangerous mycotoxins contaminating cereal products for food and feed. One of the protective methods against the adverse effect of DON on mink health is to use a component such as bentonite as a feed supplement to allow toxins absorption. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DON, administered alone or with bentonite, on the histological structure of the skin and the content of collagen and elastin. A multiparous minks from control group (not exposed to DON) and a study groups receiving fed with DON-containing wheat for seven months: I: at a concentration of 1.1 mg/kg of feed, II: at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg, III: DON at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg and bentonite at a concentration of 0.5 kg/1000 kg of feed (0.05%) and IV: DON at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg and bentonite at a concentration 2 kg/1000 kg (0.2%). After performing euthanasia and before pelting, skin samples of 2 cm in diameter were drawn from the multiparous minks from the lateral surface of the right anterior limb. Our obtained results clearly indicate that DON administered for a period of seven months at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg significantly changes the thickness of skin of a multiparous mink. It causes an increase in the percentage of elastin from 5.9% to 9.4% and a decrease in immature collagen, which results in a change in the collagen/elastin ratio from 10/1 to 5/1. A dose of 3.7 mg/kg DON in feed without or with 0.05% bentonite causes the absence of immature collagen in the dermis, but the addition of 0.2% bentonite in the feed reveals the presence of immature collagen and increase the percentage of the elastin.

Prenatal and postnatal supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) affects the development and maturation of offspring. Both substances have the potential to stimulate cell metabolism via different routes. However, parity affects development and may alter the effects of dietary supplementation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gestational supplementation with HMB and/or AKG to primiparous and multiparous minks on the structure and maturation of the offspring’s small intestine. Primiparous and multiparous American minks (Neovison vison), of the standard dark brown type, were supplemented daily with HMB (0.02 g/kg b.w.) and/or AKG (0.4 g/kg b.w.) during gestation (n = 7 for each treatment). Supplementation stopped when the minks gave birth. Intestine samples were collected from 8-month-old male and female offspring during autopsy and histology and histomorphometry analysis was conducted (LAEC approval no 64/2015). Gestational supplementation had a long-term effect, improving the structure of the offspring’s intestine toward facilitating absorption and passage of intestinal contents. AKG supplementation affected intestinal absorption (enterocytes, villi and absorptive surface), and HMB affected intestinal peristalsis and secretion (crypts and Goblet cells). These effects were strongly dependent on parity and offspring gender. Present findings have important nutritional implications and should be considered in feeding practices and supplementation plans in animal reproduction.

The purpose of this study was to assess the positive immediate reactions received from intradermal skin tests (IDST) which confirmed the presence of IgE-dependent hypersensitivity in dogs with atopic dermatitis, which were patients of the Dermatology Consulting Section at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin between 2007 and 2009. Intradermal skin tests were performed on 142 dogs (72 females and 70 males) from the Lublin voivodeship of different breeds ranging in age from 1 to 6 years (average 2.8 years). The allergen set used in this study was the Artuvetrin Test (ARTU Biologicals Europe B.V, Holland). The owners of 84 dogs observed the presence of skin lesions all year round regardless of season, while 58 dog owners noted them only in spring and summer. Most immediate positive reactions were ascertained from mite allergens (70.61%), fewer from pollen allergens (19.55%), and the fewest from animal (4.15%) and mould allergens (1.66%). Immediate positive reactions for a flea allergen (4.03% of all positive reactions) were also ascertained. In 98.6% of dogs polysensitization was found.

Dog blood samples were analysed cytometrically and immunoenzymatically. In dogs with atopic dermatitis complicated by purulent dermatitis, the percentage of lymphocytes with CD8, CD21 antigens, as well as IL-10 concentration in serum were significantly higher than in healthy dogs. The results indicate that immunosuppression induced by the activity of an infectious agent plays an important role at this stage of the disease. This thesis was further confirmed by a high positive correlation between MHC II CD3, CD4, and CD21expression and a negative correlation between cells with MHC II and CD8 lymphocytes.

The evaluation of Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) test in dogs with Atopic Dermatitis (AD) treated with cyclosporine or prednisone: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical state of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) by use of CADESI test in own modification during the first visit in the Dermatology Consult Room as well as during the treatment. The study was performed in two groups (I-E and II-C) of 20 dogs in each group. In dogs which were qualified to the I-E group, as antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic treatment, prednisone (oral preparation Encorton - Polfa Pabianice) at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.w./day was administered, while in dogs qualified to the II-C group - cyclosporine (oral preparation Sandimmun Neoral - Novartis Pharma) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w./day; the treatment was continued for 6 weeks in both groups. During the study, skin lesions were assessed in 15 specified body areas using 4 parameters and 5-point scale. In group I-E and II-C the amount of received points in CADESI test was decreased by 82.26% and by 83% respectively, after the treatment. Statistical analyses of the results obtained revealed no statistically significant (P=0.05) differences between means of I-E and II-C groups in consecutive examinations, which indicates comparable clinical efficacy of both drugs. Statistically significant differences (P=0.05) of the parameters assessed were found after secondary dermatoses treatment, and after every two weeks of antipruritic and anti-inflammatory treatment.

Cytometric analysis was performed in order to detect the expression of surface molecules CD11b and CD11/18 on lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes of peripheral blood of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) complicated by purulent dermatitis. The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes with CD11b and CD11/18 was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in dogs with AD than in healthy dogs. The percentage of granulocytes expressing CD11b molecule was significantly lower in dogs with complicated AD compared to healthy dogs and dogs with uncomplicated AD. The expression of CD11b and CD11/18 integrin on monocytes of dogs with complicated AD depended on the severity of symptoms and was higher in dogs with deep purulent dermatitis. It was concluded that the expression of CD11b and CD11/18 integrin on leukocytes of dogs with AD depends on the stage of the disease.