The experiment was carried out with dual-purpose fowls developed for rural backyard farming -indigenous Katunitsa chicken (line "AN"), in a free range management system from hatching to 52 weeks of age. The purpose of the investigation was to establish the influence of a blend of herbs as a dietary supplement on some serum biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase, triglycerides and creatinine), growth performance, egg production, egg fatty acid composition, and health status. The composition of this blend of herbs included: 0.05% garlic powder (Allium sativum), 0.3% cinnamon powder (Cinnamomum verum) and 0.03% of each of the following dried herbs: yarrow (Achillea millefolium), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus serpyllum), basil (Ocimum basilicum) and oregano (Origanum vulgare). The birds were divided into two groups -control (n=60) without supplemental mixture to the diet and experimental (n=700) with supplemental mixture to the diet from the first day of age to the end of the experiment. The results showed that the herbal mixture supplement decreased significantly the blood serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels -at 7 (P<0.001) and at 52 weeks (P<0.05) of age. The content of phospholipids, triglycerides and linoleic acid in the egg yolk was higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (Р<0.05). There was no significant difference in the egg yolk cholesterol levels between both groups (P>0.05). Over the entire investigation period the chickens from the experimental group had a better feed conversion ratio (with 3.37%) and a higher egg laying capacity (with 1.79%). At the end of experiment (52 weeks of age), hens from the control group exhibited generalised fatty degeneration of liver parenchyma, while these in experimental group, the major part of hepatocytes had no fat droplets in their cytoplasm. The death rate from 0 to 7, from 8 to 21 and from 22 to 52 weeks of age was 18.33%, 0% and 8.57% in the control group and 1.00%, 0.26% and 2.62% in the experimental group, respectively. Therefore in conclusion, it can be affirmed that the use of this blend of herbs had a beneficial effect in the treated fowls and improved their egg productivity, vitality and health condition.Keywords: blood biochemical parameters, chickens, dried herbs, egg production, garlic, growth performance, mortality РезюмеПроучването е проведено с кокошки от общоползувателно направление, предназначени за свободно отглеждане във фамилни ферми -Катунска кокошка, (линия "AN") от излюпване на пилетата до 52-седмична възраст. Целта е да се установи влиянието на билкова смес използувана като добавка в комбинирания фураж върху някои серумни биохимични показатели (аланин аминотрансфераза, аспартат аминотрансфераза, общ холестерол, гамаглутамилтрансфераза, триглицериди и креатинин), растежа, носливостта, мастнокиселинния състав на яйчния жълтък и здравния статус. Съставът на билкова смес е: 0,05% чесън на прах, 0.3% канела (Cin...

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the simultaneous measurement of three serological markers of chlamydial infection in women with tubal factor infertility (TFI) and spontaneous miscarriage. Serum was collected from 87 patients (33 with TFI and 54 with spontaneous miscarriage) and analyzed for the presence of IgG and IgA antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP antigen (Dia.Pro) and IgG antibodies to chlamydial heat shock protein 60 (cHSP60) antigen (Medac). We determined a high degree (64.5 %) of seropositivity against chlamydial antigens in our study population. The prevalence of persistent chlamydial infection has tended to be higher in the group of patients with TFI (41.4 %) than in patients with spontaneous miscarriage (21.3 %). The serum level of IgA, as a marker of active infection, was statistically higher in the TFI group with persistent infection than in the corresponding spontaneous miscarriage group (p = 0.008), while the serum level of IgG showed no statistically significant differences compared with the spontaneous miscarriage group with persistent infection (p = 0.227). Also, using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we found that the serum level of IgA has the ability to discriminate patients with persistent chlamydial infection between the TFI and miscarriage groups, with a sensitivity and specificity of 74.3 % and 71.4 %, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first study which, besides the already confirmed linkage between serologic evidence of persistent chlamydial infection and TFI, also confirmed associations between spontaneous miscarriage and serologic evidence of persistent chlamydial infection.

The quality of an oocyte is influenced by its microenvironment, which includes cumulus cells and follicular fluid, as well as cells of the immune system and their products. The ovarian interleukins, which are secreted by the granulosa cells and other immune cells within the ovaries and follicles, regulate various functions between the cells. IL-6 is a cytokine that is present in the follicular fluid and may affect the quality of oocytes. There are some inconsistencies in the literature regarding the concentration of interleukin 6 in the follicular fluid. The main objective of this study was to examine whether the concentration of interleukin 6 in the follicular fluid affects the outcome of IVF. This study involved 83 patients who underwent IVF. Follicular fluid was used as the biological material for the analysis. Examination of the obtained follicular fluid and collection of oocytes under a stereomicroscope was performed in the embryological laboratory. The concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid was analyzed. IVF and ICSI methods were used as the fertilization methods. Pregnancy was confirmed by the positive serum β-hCG level. The software package SPSS 20 was used for statistical data processing. Analysis of the follicular fluid samples showed a correlation between the concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid and the outcome of IVF. The concentration of IL-6 in the follicular fluid was higher in patients with confirmed pregnancy (9.55 ± 7.47 ng/ml). Based on our results, we conclude that the concentration of IL-6 affects the outcome of IVF. If the range of IL-6 concentration is between 3,67 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, we can expect good IVF outcome with vital pregnancy.

The fungicide substance QAS [N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-N,N'-di(8,15-dichloropentadeca-5,10- dien)ethylenediamine methylsulphate] has a biphasic effect on the spontaneous electrical and mechanical activity of smooth-muscle samples of rat corpus and guinea-pig taenia coli. During the first phase of QAS application membrane depolarization and increased spontaneous spike frequency were recorded. The tone of the preparations (resting tone) increased transiently. Calcium ion-entry blockers did not affect the contractile effect of QAS, but K(+)-channel blockers and some modulators of the second messenger system abolished or decreased it. During the second phase depolarization increased progressively, spike frequency decreased and the increase in resting tone recorded during the first phase was eliminated. The results reveal that the long-lasting depolarizing effect of QAS (in concentrations used for plant protection) probably inactivates the entry of Ca2+ into the smooth-muscle cells and disturbs Ca2+ homeostasis.

One of the succes factors of biomedically assisted fertilization is the regular maturation of one or more oocytes. The quality of the oocytes is significantly influenced by the environment in which it is located, the so-called „microenvironment” that includes cumulus cells, follicular fluid in which hormones and growth factors involved in its growth and development are secreted. The main aim was to examine whether the concentration of steroid hormones in the follicular fluid affects the rate of fertilization and the outcome of the in vitro fertilization process itself. The study included 31 patients who were included in vitro fertilization procedure at the Department for Biomedically Assisted Fertilization, Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Kragujevac. We used follicular fluid as biological material for analysis. Examination of the obtained follicular fluid and collection of oocytes under a stereomicroscope was done in the embryological laboratory at the Department. Biochemical parameters of follicular fluid were analyzed in the Department for Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Center Kragujevac. In vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) methods were used as the fertilization method. The criteria of the Istanbul Consensus of Clinical Embryologists were used as a reference framework for embryo quality assessment. Pregnancy was confirmed by a positive serum level of the hormone β-hCG 14 days after embryo transfer. A software package ЅРЅЅ 20 was used for statistical data processing. The results of the analysis of follicular fluid samples show that there was no statistically significant difference in the concentration of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in follicular fluid in relation to fertilization rate and the outcome of in vitro fertilization. Based on our results, it can be concluded that the concentration of steroid hormones did not affect fertilization rate and the outcome of in vitro fertilization.