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Epigenetic modifications can influence the phenotypes of subsequent generations through intergenerational and transgenerational effects. The aim of the research was to assess the impact of epigenetic factors acting during embryonic development on the structure and cellular composition of lymphoid organs in three generations of chickens. Two groups of eggs were injected once (in the F1 generation) with a synbiotic (SYNs) or a synbiotic + choline (SYNCHs), while two other groups were injected in each successive generation (F2, F3—SYNr, SYNCHr). Synbiotic administration resulted in an increased cortex/medulla ratio of the thymus in the F1 but not in subsequent generations. In the spleen, an intergenerational effect (from F1 to F2) was found in the choline-supplemented (SYNCHs) groups but not in the SYNs groups. Not all changes observed in the F1 were evident in the F2 generation. No intergenerational effect was found in the cecal tonsil, and no transgenerational effects were observed in any of the tested organs. In ovo administration of synbiotics with choline may induce intergenerational phenotypic effects on specific immune organs. However, these effects either persisted through the first two generations or appeared solely in the F1 or F2 generations. Changes were evident in young birds but not in mature ones.

Recent discoveries have indicated the importance of developing modern strategies for vaccinations, more ethical research models, and effective alternatives to antibiotic treatment in farm animals. Chickens (Gallus gallus) play a crucial role in this context given the commercial and economic relevance of poultry production worldwide and the search for analogies between the immune systems of humans and birds. Specifically, chicken secondary lymphoid tissues share similar features to their human counterparts. Chickens have several secondary or peripheral lymphoid tissues that are the sites where the adaptive immune response is initiated. The more general classification of these organs divides them into the spleen and skin-, pineal-, or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. Each of these tissues is further subdivided into separate lymphoid structures that perform specific and different functions along the animal’s body. A review summarizing the state of the art of research on chicken secondary lymphoid organs is of great relevance for the design of future studies.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of iridoid-anthocyanin extract from honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) (LC) berries on histopathological changes in the intestines and muscles during experimental trichinellosis in mice. The LC extract was administered to uninfected mice (LC group) and Trichinella-spiralis-infected mice (T+LC) orally at a dose of 2 g/kg bw, six times at 24 h intervals, from day 3 prior to infection to day 3 post-infection (dpi). Jejunum samples were collected on 5, 7, 14, and 21 dpi, and their histological assessment involved the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), goblet cell (GC) number, and morphological changes. In the T. spiralis-infected muscles, the extent of inflammatory infiltration on the 14th and 21st dpi was assessed. LC in the infected mice restored the VH/CD ratio to control values on 14 dpi. A beneficial effect of the LC extract on the villus height was also observed 14 dpi in the LC and T+LC groups. No differences in the extent of inflammatory infiltration in the muscles between the T+LC and T groups were observed. In conclusion, the iridoid-anthocyanin extract from honeysuckle berry contributed to alleviating the symptoms of the intestinal phase of T. spiralis infection.

The aim of our study was to optimise an existing staining procedure: haematoxylin-eosin saffron (HES). The method follows the classical haematoxylin and eosin protocol with the addition of a staining step using natural saffron to better identify the collagen fibres. The saffron solution was obtained by dissolving ground saffron stigmas in absolute alcohol. In order to test the HES method for its staining ability on four main types of collagen (I, II, III, and IV), specific tissues (skin, tooth, cartilage, aorta, spleen, and penis) were chosen. The procedure showed a sharp differentiation between muscle, stained red or pink, and connective tissue, stained bright yellow or orange. HES allows the diagnosis of reticulin fibrosis undetected in HE and in previous saffron staining procedures. HES represents an advantageous alternative to HE staining giving highly reproducible results with high diagnostic value.

Introduction: The aim of this research was to provide a detailed description of the morphology, topography, and histometry of rabbit accessory genital glands. Material and Methods: Seven male New Zealand White rabbits, 3–4 months of age and weighing 2.1–3 kg were used for the study. The whole urethra from the urinary bladder to the external urethral orifice accompanied by accessory genital glands was sliced at intervals of 1 mm. The serial sections were prepared with haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Movat–Russell modified pentachrome stain. Results: A detailed description of the morphology and morphometry was provided. The topography of the organs was explained on the basis of characteristic cross-sections on histological slides. The inconsistent nomenclature and descriptions of these glands by different authors were also discussed. Conclusion: The morphometric analysis indicated that some of the glands described have similar dimensions in different individuals, while others like paraprostates revealed high diversity in the number of lobes, their size, and their structure. The accessory glands are also good topographic markers which precisely define the segment of the urethra. The terms “proprostate”, “prostate”, and “paraprostates” as the nomenclature of the prostate complex reflect the location of these glands well and indicate their common origin and function.

Abstract Background The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CBR1) and type 2 (CBR2), cannabinoid-based ligands (endogenous chemically synthesized phytocannabinoids), and endogenous enzymes controlling their concentrations. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have been identified in invertebrates and in almost all vertebrate species in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in immune cells, where they control neuroimmune homeostasis. In humans, rodents, dogs, and cats, CBRs expression has been confirmed in the skin, and their expression and tissue distribution become disordered in pathological conditions. Cannabinoid receptors may be a possible therapeutic target in skin diseases. Objectives To characterize the distribution and cellular expression of CBRs in the skin of horses under normal conditions. Animals Fifteen healthy horses. Methods Using full-thickness skin punch biopsy samples, skin-derived primary epidermal keratinocytes and dermal-derived cells, we performed analysis of Cnr1 and Cnr2 genes using real-time PCR and CBR1 and CBR2 protein expression by confocal microscopy and Western blotting. Results Normal equine skin, including equine epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblast-like cells, all exhibited constant gene and protein expression of CBRs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Our results represent a starting point for developing and translating new veterinary medicine-based pharmacotherapies using ECS as a possible target.

This study aimed to establish the effect of dietary supplementation in broiler chickens of organic and inorganic selenium on the weight and structure of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen. Three dietary regimes were studied in Flex and F15 Hubbard chickens: (i) control, (ii) diets containing 0.5 mg organic selenium/kg by selenized yeast, (iii) diets supplemented with 0.5 mg ionic selenium/kg (sodium selenite). The results showed that the feed additives did not affect the relative weight of the immune system organs, i.e. bursa of Fabricius, thymus and spleen. The organic selenium in the F15 resulted in thinning of the thymic cortex and partial depletion of the lymphoid cells. Moreover, both the organic and inorganic selenium supplementation resulted in depopulation of bursal medulla from lymphocytes in the F15 group. In contrast, in Flex chickens no significant differences in histological structure and morphometric values of lymphoid organs between chickens fed organic and inorganic selenium were found.

Background A previous study showed that prebiotics and synbiotics administered in ovo into the egg air cell on the 12th day of incubation enhance the growth and development of chickens. However, the influence of this procedure on the development and efficiency of the innate immune system of broiler chickens is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the early (on the 12th day of embryo development) in ovo administration of selected prebiotics (inulin − Pre1 and Bi 2 tos − Pre2) and synbiotics (inulin + Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IBB SL1 − Syn1 and Bi 2 tos +  L. lactis subsp. cremoris IBB SC1 − Syn2) influences the innate immune system. Results Chickens (broiler, Ross 308) that were treated with Pre1 exhibited a decreased H/L ratio on D7, but an increased H/L ratio was observed on D21 and D35. In the remaining experimental groups, an increase in the H/L ratio was observed on D21 and D35. The oxidative potential of leukocytes measured using the NBT test increased on D21 in Pre2 and Syn1 groups. The rate of the phagocytic ability of leukocytes increased in Pre1 and Syn1 groups on D21. The phagocytic index decreased in Pre1 and Syn2 groups on D21 and D35. Concurrently, the count of WBC in circulating blood decreased on D21 in Pre1, Pre2, and Syn1 groups. The hematocrit value was increased in Syn1 chickens on D21, in Pre1 chickens on D35, and in Syn2 chickens on both time points. Conclusions Early in ovo treatment of chicken embryos with prebiotics and synbiotics may temporarily modulate not only the production/maturation of leukocytes but also their reactivity.

In ovo administration of probiotics has the potential to enable the early colonization of the gut microbiota, providing health benefits from the onset of life. This study aimed to assess the impact of in ovo probiotic inoculation combined with early posthatch feeding on intestinal development and colonization by Campylobacter spp., immune system development, and the final production performance of chickens. On the 18th day of incubation, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, or physiological saline (control) was administered to Ross 308 eggs in ovo, and chicks had immediate access to feed and water upon hatching. On the 7th, 21st, and 35th days after hatching, samples of tissues were taken for histomorphometric analysis. Campylobacter strains in the cecal content were quantitatively evaluated. Probiotic administration had a beneficial effect on the development of the small intestine and increased the number of B cells in the spleen and the number of B and CD4+ cells in the cecal tonsils. The in ovo administration of probiotics did not reduce Campylobacter jejuni colonization and even led to increased bacterial loads in some groups by day 35. However, when combined with early feeding, in ovo probiotic administration had a positive impact on the development of the small intestine and peripheral immune organs.

The effect of the in ovo application of selected prebiotics and synbiotics on the humoral immune response against T-dependent (SRBC) and T-independent (dextran) antigens and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to phytohemagglutinin was studied. On the 12th day of incubation, 800 eggs (Ross 308) were divided into five groups and injected into the egg air chamber with prebiotic inulin (Pre1), Bi2tos (Pre2), a synbiotic composed of inulin and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IBB SL1 (Syn1), a synbiotic composed of Bi2tos and L. lactis subsp. cremoris IBB SC1 (Syn2), and physiological saline (control group; C). The chickens were immunized twice at the 7th and 21st day of life with SRBC and dextran. A DTH test was performed on the 7th, 21st, and 35th day. The application of prebiotics and synbiotics had no significant effect on the humoral immune response. SRBC-immunized in ovo Pre1- and Pre2-treated chickens showed significantly higher serum IgG levels than the control. A significant effect on the DTH reaction was detected on the 7th (Pre1 < C) and 21st (Pre2 > Syn2) day. However; Bi2tos may transiently stimulate the cellular immune response on the 21st day. It may be concluded that the application of inulin in an egg air chamber on the 12th day of incubation may stimulate the secondary immune response. The inulin-treated group exhibited a lower mortality rate than the control group.