Letters In Animal Biology

Phytogenic–probiotic supplementation enhances growth and economic efficiency in commercial closed-house broiler production systems

Diyah Ayu Candra — 2026-07-25

The demand for broiler chicken meat continues to increase worldwide. However, production efficiency in closed-house cage system still faces challenges due to intestinal health issues and restrictions on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). These limitations drive the need for alternative feed additives that can improve production performance while maintaining production sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of Phyllanthus niruri flour and probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. casei) on the growth performance and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. A completely randomized design with three treatments was used: P0 (control), P1 (1% P. niruri flour + probiotics administered at 1 mL/L drinking water), and P2 (2% P. niruri flour + probiotics administered at 1 mL/L drinking water). A total of 15,000 broiler chickens were reared for 35 days in a commercial closed-house system. The results showed that birds in the P2 group had a significantly higher final body weight (2.31 ± 0.11 kg) compared with the control group (1.88 ± 0.20 kg; P = 0.021) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 1.55 to 1.43 (P = 0.001). The performance index also increased significantly from 382 to 436 (P = 0.001), whereas mortality decreased numerically from 4.20% to 1.98% without statistical significance (P = 0.118). The economic evaluation indicated that the phytogenic–probiotic supplementation tended to improve economic efficiency, with the highest revenue-to-cost ratio (1.20) observed in P2. Overall, phytogenic–probiotic supplementation improved growth performance and showed potential to enhance economic efficiency under commercial production conditions. However, because only combination treatments were evaluated, the individual effects of phytogenic and probiotic supplementation could not be distinguished. These findings provide field-scale evidence that phytogenic–probiotic supplementation may serve as a sustainable alternative strategy to support broiler production performance.

Exploratory characterization of the milk bacterial microbiome in subclinical mastitis at CMT scores 2 and 3 in smallholder dairy farms using full-length nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing

Puguh Surjowardojo — 2026-09-22

This exploratory study characterized the taxonomic profiles of bacterial microbiota associated with CMT scores 2 and 3 in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows from smallholder farms in Batu City, East Java, Indonesia. A total of 126 cows from 29 smallholder farms were screened using the California Mastitis Test (CMT), and 27 cows had CMT scores of 2 and 3. One representative milk sample was selected for each condition: SP3 for CMT score 2 and SP4 for CMT score 3. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT), and taxonomic classification was conducted using Centrifuge against the NCBI 16S RefSeq database. The SP3 sample yielded 99,600 high-quality reads and showed a Streptococcus-dominated taxonomic profile, with Bacillota as the predominant phylum and the S. dysgalactiae group as the dominant species-level taxonomic assignment. Corynebacterium and Clostridium were also detected. The SP4 sample yielded 98,300 high-quality reads and exhibited a highly skewed taxonomic profile, with S. agalactiae as the predominant species-level taxonomic assignment. These observations indicate distinct taxonomic profiles between the two representative samples, but they should be interpreted descriptively because only one sample was analyzed for each CMT condition. The findings provide an exploratory basis for further investigation of milk microbiome patterns associated with subclinical mastitis severity using full-length Nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing. Larger studies with adequate biological replication and independent species confirmation are required to validate these taxonomic patterns and assess their potential diagnostic relevance.

Plumage cleanliness, foot health, and growth performance of Co ducks provided with different tray-based water-contact areas under semi-dry housing

Nguyen Thi My Phuong — 2026-09-17

Open water access promotes natural water-related behaviors of ducks but too much water exposure may lead to higher litter wetness and hygiene problems in semi-dry housing systems. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of graded water-contact areas in trays on water use behavior, floor condition, plumage cleanliness, foot health, and growth performance of Co ducks. The four treatments were defined as follows: T1 – drinking water only, with no tray-based water-contact area (0 cm²/duck); T2 – drinking water plus a tray-based water-contact area of 25 cm²/duck; T3 – drinking water plus a tray-based water-contact area of 50 cm²/duck; and T4 – drinking water plus a tray-based water-contact area of 100 cm²/duck. Water-use behavior increased with increasing tray-based water-contact area, from 13.1% in T2 to 36.9% in T4. However, floor moisture near the water area also increased from 28.4% in T1 to 53.8% in T4, and coliform counts rose from 4.18 to 5.61 log₁₀ CFU/g. Ducks provided with water-contact area of 50 cm²/duck had the lowest abdominal plumage dirtiness score (0.83), the highest body weight at 56 days (1,552.8 g/duck), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (2.84). In contrast, the 100 cm²/duck treatment was associated with greater abdominal feather wetness (score 1.57), footpad dermatitis (score 1.31), and impaired walking (36.1%). Among the tested treatments, a tray-based water-contact area of 50 cm²/duck showed the most favourable overall combination of water-use behavior, litter hygiene, plumage cleanliness, foot health, and growth performance under the semi-dry housing conditions evaluated

Histomorphometric changes during prenatal development of the spleen in different gestational phases of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Eiman Ahmed Elsayed Yousif — 2026-06-08

The spleen functions as the principal secondary lymphoid organ and plays a critical role in filtering blood and initiating immune responses to antigens. The present study examined the prenatal histological and histometric development of the spleen across the three trimesters of gestation. Sixteen camel fetuses were collected and allocated to first, second, and third trimester groups by measuring the crown vertebral rump length (CVRL) of each fetus. Tissue samples were taken from the spleen and processed for histological investigations. In the first trimester, the spleen exhibited a thin capsule, small lymphoid nodules, and a network of developing blood sinuses. In the second trimester, the capsule differentiated into an outer collagenous layer and an inner smooth muscle layer with well-developed and branched trabeculae. The lymphoid nodules in the stroma increased both in number and size. During the third trimester, the trabeculae showed increased branching and contained smooth muscle layer. The white pulp structures appeared spherical, with prominent central arterioles. The thickness of the capsule increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 21.3 μm in the first trimester to 54.6 μ in the second trimester, whereas no significant increase was noted in the third trimester (55.2 μ). The diameter of the lymphoid nodules increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 133.0 μ to 161.6 μ in the second and third trimesters, respectively. These observations suggest a progressive increase in the size of these nodules during fetal development. It is concluded that the structural changes in the camel spleen during embryonic development were similar in trend to those of other domestic animals. This study provides novel baseline quantitative data on the morphometry of the splenic capsule and lymphoid nodules during prenatal development of the camel spleen, offering a reference for future studies on lymphoid organ maturation in camelids.

Determining sow and piglet characteristics associated with stillbirth and pre-weaning piglet survival in F1 Large White × Landrace pigs in South Africa

Rivoningo N. Mabunda — 2026-09-24

Pre-weaning mortality remains a persistent constraint in commercial pig production systems worldwide, affecting herd efficiency and economic returns. The aim of the study was to determine sow and piglet characteristics associated with stillbirth and pre-weaning piglet survival in the F1 Large White × Landrace pigs in South Africa. Secondary data were extracted from the farm database and the study included records from 360 sow litters with 5845 piglets. The sow characteristics analysed included parity, litter size, length of gestation, farrowing weight, litter weight variation, average litter weight and sow mothering ability. Piglet characteristics included birth weight, suckling period, sex, fostering status and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration. Two separate multivariate logistic regression models were fitted: (1) predictors of stillbirth, (2) predictors of survival to weaning. Sows were categorized into quartiles for each of the independent variables to quantify the relationship to stillborn rate or survival to weaning. A general linear model for a binomial response was fitted to analyze the difference in stillborn and pre-weaning survival between the quartiles of each respective variable and Fisher’s LSD was used to separate significantly different means (p < 0.05). The study revealed that parity, average litter weight, litter size, gestation length, and farrowing weight were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of stillbirths. Parity, litter size, length of gestation, farrowing weight, litter weight variation, average litter weight, sow mothering ability, fostering status, and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG), were significantly associated with pre-weaning piglet survival (p < 0.05). Stillbirth was highest in sows with low farrowing weight (< 222.25 kg; 8.88%), intermediate gestation length (114–115 days; 4.47%), and small litters (≤ 14 piglets; 5.65%). Piglet survival was highest in larger litters (> 17 piglets; 92.18%), higher-parity sows (≥ 4; 80%), and heavier piglets (> 1.4 kg; 81.35%). The logistic regression models confirmed litter size, gestation length, and farrowing weight as key predictors (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that optimizing piglet survival requires a multifactorial approach that combines sow and piglet characteristics, and management practices to enhance production efficiency and reduce piglet mortality.

Comparative evaluation of purification strategies for anti-rabies immunoglobulins: Impact on yield, functional activity, and stability

Anara Nurmukhambetova — 2026-05-31

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different purification methods for anti-rabies immunoglobulins obtained from the plasma of hyperimmunised cattle. The study included a total of 30 animals, randomly divided into three groups based on the purification method: ammonium sulphate precipitation, affinity chromatography on a Protein G column, and a combined method with the addition of ultrafiltration. The purification methods differed in their ability to preserve protein yield, specific antibody activity, and virus-neutralising capacity. The combined protocol produced the highest final protein concentration; however, total protein was interpreted only as an indicator of recovery and concentration efficiency, not as evidence of IgG purity. The superiority of the combined method was supported by the parallel increase in anti-rabies IgG reactivity and virus-neutralising activity. In contrast, the method of precipitation with ammonium sulphate revealed the lowest values for each of these parameters, indicating the lower selectivity of this method and the loss of the functionally active immunoglobulins. However, the results obtained with the precipitation method, Protein G affinity chromatography and ultrafiltration suggest that these methods increase both the amount of anti-rabies immunoglobulin that is obtained and the quality of that immunoglobulin. The method of precipitation with ammonium sulphate and the storage of the obtained immunoglobulin without the step of freezing revealed the greatest decrease in each of the indicators over the 60-day period. However, the method that employed the use of all three steps revealed the best results in the preservation of the protein, specific antibodies, and virus- neutralising activity, with only a 4% loss of each of these initial values after storage at -20°C. Statistical analysis using repeated measures ANOVA confirmed the significant influence of the purification method and storage conditions on all the parameters studied (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the integration of precipitation, affinity chromatography, and ultrafiltration resulted in a better yield, functional activity, and stability of anti-rabies immunoglobulins. The practical significance of the present findings lies in the possibility of applying them in the development, standardisation, and production of highly effective immunoglobulin preparations for the prevention and treatment of rabies in veterinary and medical practice.

Evaluation of integrated biomarker panels for detection of subclinical physiological alterations in dairy goats

Rezki Amalyadi — 2026-06-12

Subclinical disorders in food-producing livestock remain one of the most important issues for veterinarians, since there is no clear clinical picture of the disease despite changes in physiology. The objective of this research was to assess the diagnostic significance of integrating of biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative biomarkers to detect subclinical disorders in dairy goats under field conditions. Forty-eight lactating goats were grouped according to the results of clinical examination and blood test as healthy and subclinical. The concentrations of acylcarnitine, haptoglobin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined in serum. Subclinical goats had higher concentrations of all biomarkers except GPx, which showed lower values (P<0.05). This indicates changes in metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative status at the subclinical stage of the disease. ROC curve analysis revealed moderate diagnostic ability for single biomarkers (AUC 0.79 – 0.86), however, the combination of biomarkers had high diagnostic ability (AUC = 0.93). Thus, the integrated use of biomarkers may serve as a supportive diagnostic approach for identifying subclinical physiological alterations in dairy goats. From a veterinary medicine perspective, this method may contribute to improved health monitoring and identification of animals with physiological disturbances under field conditions.

Hormonal profiles and etiological factors associated with abortion in ewes: A case-control study in Salah Al-Din Province, Iraq

Maher Saber Owain — 2026-04-06

The economic implications of abortion among ewes in Salah Al-Din Province (Iraq) have a significant negative impact on the livestock industry. Therefore, it is important to understand the hormonal changes associated with abortion, as well as the potential causative agents to devise adequate and practical prevention strategies of abortion in ewes. The objective of this study was to investigate the hormonal changes in aborted ewes and to identify the primary causes of abortion in sheep throughout Salah Al-Din Province during the breeding season of 2024. A total of 180 ewes were examined, including 120 ewes with confirmed abortions, whereas the remaining 60 ewes with healthy pregnancies served as a control group. Blood samples were taken from each ewe for hormonal analysis (progesterone, estradiol-17β, cortisol, and prolactin) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Samples from aborted ewes were microbiologically cultured, serologically tested, and histologically examined to determine the causative agents. There was a statistically significant difference between aborted and control ewes in the concentration of progesterone (1.82±0.34 ng/mL vs 4.15±0.52 ng/mL, p < 0.001), and estradiol-17β levels (12.45±2.18 pg/mL vs 28.67±3.45 pg/mL; p < 0.001). The concentration of cortisol was significantly higher in the serum of aborted ewes (45.32±6.78 ng/mL vs 22.15±3.42 ng/mL; p < 0.001). The aborted group revealed slightly lower levels of prolactin compared to controls on average. The leading causes of abortion identified were brucellosis (33.2%), toxoplasmosis (25.8%), chlamydia (19.2%), and nutritional deficiencies (15.8%). The findings from this study indicate that abortion in ewes in Salah Al-Din Province is associated with significant hormonal changes, the most notable of which were decreased progesterone and increased cortisol levels. Infectious diseases, especially brucellosis and toxoplasmosis, represented the leading causes of abortion. These observations suggest a need for comprehensive vaccination programs, improved nutritional management, and strategies to reduce stress to lower the incidence of abortion in ewes.

Integrated transcriptomic and machine learning analysis of the candidate biomarker potential of ACSL6 in bovine mastitis

Lutfi Bayyurt — 2026-06-01

Bovine mastitis is a complex inflammatory disease that has a substantial negative influence on milk productivity and costs the dairy industry greatly. Identifying strong molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis is still a key area of research. In this study, integrated analyses of transcriptomic data and machine-learning approaches were used to identify candidate bovine mastitis-associated genes. The GSE15020 and GSE24217 data sets were used as discovery cohorts, while the third dataset GSE50685 served as an independent validation set. Differential gene expression analysis following quality control, normalization and batch effect adjustment using the ComBat method identified 1143 significant genes in the discovery cohort. Candidate biomarkers were subsequently ranked and selected using Random Forest and XGBoost algorithms. All candidate genes were evaluated in an independent dataset, where ACSL6 showed the highest discriminative power (p < 0.001) relative to all other candidates and PTX3 also showed potential as a good classifier. The robustness of the model was evaluated using ROC curve, confidence intervals, and permutation tests. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly involved in immune response, inflammatory pathways and defense response. Despite the limited sample size of the validation cohort, findings of present study support ACSL6 as a potential biomarker for bovine mastitis. However, larger independent cohorts and experimental validation are needed to support its diagnostic relevance and biological significance. This analysis collectively demonstrates that the combination of transcriptomic profiling and machine learning is a valuable means to identify candidate biomarkers for bovine mastitis.

Effects of modest early creep feeding on growth, carcass traits, and muscle composition in pasture-raised Wuranke lambs

Narigeqi Narigeqi — 2026-06-11

Early nutritional supplementation may enhance lamb growth in extensive grassland systems, although its effects on carcass traits and muscle composition under low-input pastoral conditions remain unclear. This study examined the effects of modest early creep feeding on growth performance, carcass traits, and Longissimus dorsi composition in pasture-raised Wuranke lambs. Forty healthy, uncastrated male singleton lambs were assigned to either a control group (CG; pasture only) or an experimental group (EG; pasture plus creep feed) and monitored from birth until approximately 160 days of age. Creep feed was provided for 50 days, with a low average intake of 52.9 g/lamb/day. Growth traits were measured in all lambs (n = 20 per group), whereas carcass evaluation and muscle composition analyses were performed in a subset of eight lambs per group. EG lambs were heavier at the end of supplementation and before slaughter than CG lambs. In the carcass subsample, EG lambs also had greater slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, edible meat weight, and edible meat percentage, whereas the dressing percentage did not differ significantly between groups. The composition of Longissimus dorsi muscle was generally similar between groups. After FDR correction, no significant differences in proximate composition, mineral content, fatty acid profile, or amino acid profile were observed. These findings suggest that modest early creep feeding can improve growth and carcass output in this flock of pasture-raised Wuranke lambs, while no major detectable changes in the measured muscle composition occurred. However, because carcass and muscle composition analyses were based on a small subsample, subtle effects cannot be ruled out. Further multi-flock and multi-season studies incorporating direct measurements and economic evaluation are needed before broader practical recommendations can be made.

Time-dependent modulation of post-hatch cortisol and antioxidant responses in Melanotaenia boesemani embryos exposed to potassium derived from banana peel ash extract

Intanurfemi B Hismayasari — 2026-09-12

Embryonic exposure to ionic disturbance can alter post hatch stress regulation in fish. This study examined whether immersion duration in potassium-rich banana peel ash extract affected endocrine and antioxidant responses in Melanotaenia boesemani. Embryos were immersed in a fixed potassium concentration of BPA extract (13.5 mg L^-1) for 15.5, 24, and 32.5 h, alongside untreated and KCl reference groups (three biological replicates per treatment). Cortisol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were quantified at 7 days post hatching, and survival was recorded at 60 days post-hatching. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD, Pearson correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). All four endpoints (cortisol, SOD, CAT, and survival rate) differed significantly among treatments (p<0.05). Cortisol was significantly higher in all BPA-exposed groups than in both controls, reaching its highest numerical value at 24 h, although the three BPA-duration groups did not differ significantly from one another. SOD and CAT activities increased with BPA exposure, reaching their highest values at 24 h. CAT remained significantly elevated relative to the controls and the 15.5 h group at both 24 and 32.5 h, whereas SOD was significantly elevated relative to the controls and the 15.5 h group only at 24 h. SR declined progressively with increasing immersion duration and was lowest at 32.5 h. Cortisol correlated positively with SOD (r = 0.86) and CAT (r = 0.81), and SOD correlated strongly with CAT (r = 0.87). Survival rate was negatively correlated with cortisol (r = -0.59) and CAT (r = -0.75). PCA reduced the four variables into two components explaining 94.3% of total variance and separated BPA exposed groups from controls along a biomarker dominated axis. These results indicate a coordinated endocrine and antioxidant response following embryonic BPA exposure, but the magnitude of the biomarkers was not directly related to survival outcome. The highest biomarker responses at 24 h coincided with intermediate survival, while the lowest survival at 32.5 h occurred alongside declining biomarker levels. This dissociation indicates that immersion duration itself, independent of potassium concentration, is an important variable to consider when evaluating biomass-derived potassium sources for use during early developmental stages.

Molecular detection of subtilisin and fungalysin genes and antifungal susceptibility of Microsporum canis from human and animal dermatophytosis

Nada Salih Hadi — 2026-05-12

Microsporum canis is a zoonotic dermatophyte responsible for dermatophytosis in both animals and humans, whereas Arthroderma otae represents its teleomorphic state. Considering the increasing incidence of dermatophytosis, emerging antifungal resistance and limited availability of related reliable data in Iraq, this study aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Microsporum canis and to molecularly characterize selected virulence-associated genes and to assess the genetic relatedness and evolutionary relationships among the isolates. A total of 250 clinical samples were collected from dermatophyte lesions and screened, from which 57 molecularly confirmed isolates (40 M. canis and 17 A. otae) were obtained. The presence of Subtilisin (SUB1-3) and Fungalysin (MEP1-5) genes was assessed using both previously published and newly designed specific primers. Additionally, antifungal susceptibility testing of isolates using the broth microdilution method was performed against commonly used antifungal agents. The results revealed that, except for MEP2 and MEP5, all isolates of M. canis and A. otae carried SUB2, SUB3, MEP1, and MEP3, with no significant difference between human and animal isolates (p ≥ 0.05). However, SUB1 and MEP4 showed variable distribution. Antifungal susceptibility analysis revealed significant differences among tested agents (p = 0.006). Terbinafine exhibited the highest antifungal activity, whereas fluconazole exhibited the lowest, suggesting reduced susceptibility. These results demonstrate the widespread distribution of key protease enzyme-coding genes in dermatophyte isolates and their variable antifungal profiles in humans and animals. Although the present findings support the integration of molecular characterization with antifungal susceptibility testing, the presence of these genes alone does not confirm their functional role in pathogenicity; therefore, further functional and epidemiological investigations are required to clarify their significance.

Heparinase I/III mixture induces cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines via oxidative stress, DNA damage, and activation of tumor suppressor genes

Nawaf Khalid Mohammed — 2026-07-09

Heparan sulfate, an integral component of the extracellular matrix, plays a vital role in the tumor progression. Hence targeting the heparan sulfate-mediated signaling pathway offers a promising strategy in anticancer therapy. The present study was conducted to assess the anticancer activity of 1:1 mixture of heparinase I and heparinase III against three cancer cell lines, including MCF-7 breast cancer, A549 lung cancer, and AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer with respect to the normal fibroblast cell line. The study explored the effects of heparinase on the cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and expression of tumor suppressor genes in the cell lines. The results demonstrated significant cytotoxicity, dependent on the cell type, with A549 cells exhibiting the highest sensitivity (IC50 = 0.049 U/mL) compared to normal fibroblast cells (IC50 = 0.13 U/mL). Moderate cytotoxicity was observed in AsPC-1 cells, whereas limited cytotoxicity was displayed by MCF-7 cells. Significant morphological alterations in AsPC-1 cells, characterized by cell rounding, shrinkage, and reduced density, were observed in response to heparinase treatment compared to untreated control cells. A significant increase in ROS levels was observed in treated cells, suggesting oxidative stress in exposed cells. Furthermore, comet assay and qPCR revealed significant DNA damage and upregulation of tumor suppressor genes – p53 (8.46 fold) and p16 (4.23 fold), respectively, in response to heparinase treatment of A549 cells. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the anticancer activity of heparinase mixture through oxidative stress, DNA damage, upregulation of tumor suppressor genes and associated pathways. Though this study provides valuable insights into the anticancer therapeutic potential of heparinase, further in vivo studies are required with validation at the protein level to establish the therapeutic relevance of anticancer properties of this enzyme.

Comparative evaluation of macroscopic carriers for Vero cell expansion: Influence of surface properties, incubation parameters, and nutrient media

Tolganai Imanbekova — 2026-05-15

The aim of this study was to identify optimal conditions for maximising biomass yield and preserving the viability of Vero cells cultured on different macroscopic carriers. The macroscopic carriers, including cellulose, composite, polystyrene (standard and modified), and polyethylene, were analysed in terms of adhesion, cell mass accumulation, doubling time, and morphological stability as well as the effects of incubation parameters and nutrient medium composition. After 48 h of cultivation, cellulose and composite carriers showed the highest adhesion levels (90-94%), followed by modified and standard polystyrene carriers (76-92%), whereas polyethylene carriers were the least effective (50-55%). Optimal growth was observed at 37°C, 21% O2, and pH 7.2, resulting in a 3.5-fold increase in cell density (4.2 x 105/cm2) and viability of 95-96%. Moderate deviations from these conditions led to reduced cell growth (2.6-3.2-fold; 3.3-4.0 x 105 /cm2) and viability (89-93%). However, extreme deviations (35 °C, 15% O2, pH 6.8-7.0) significantly reduced growth to 2.1-2.4-fold, with cell densities of 2.6-2.8 x 105 /cm2 and viability of 83-85%. The nutrient medium composition significantly influenced culture performance; the addition of L-glutamine (4 mmol/l) resulted in the highest cell biomass (4.6-fold) with final cell density of 9.2×105/cm2 and viability of 95% after 48 h. In contrast, glucose deficiency or serum deprivation reduced cell growth (2.0-2.5-fold) and cell layer uniformity. A comparison of cultivation systems showed that macroscopic carriers provided 20-25% greater adhesion levels and effective surface coverage compared to suspension culture. The study demonstrated that cellulose and composite carriers provided the highest adhesion and cell viability, while optimal growth was achieved at 37 °C, 21% O2, and pH 7.2. Nutrient medium composition, particularly L-glutamine supplementation, further enhanced cell proliferation and final cell density.

Evaluation of the effect of pantoprazole administration on the transit time of barium sulphate contrast medium in mixed breed dogs

Faezeh Kalantarzadeh — 2026-05-10

Contrast-enhanced radiography is a diagnostic imaging technique that provides high-resolution images of the gastrointestinal tract and plays a prominent role in demonstrating the gastrointestinal motility and transit time in small animals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pantoprazole on the gastric transit time of liquid barium sulfate contrast medium in mixed-breed dogs under a crossover experimental design. Ten clinically healthy mixed-breed dogs were randomly selected from a shelter in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, Iran. Each dog served as its own control in the first period, where the contrast radiography was done without pantoprazole administration and one-week later, pantoprazole was administered followed by contrast radiography. Initial gastric emptying time (IGET) and complete gastric emptying time (CGET) were noted and data were analyzed. These results demonstrate that CGET was significantly (P<0.05) longer in the dogs treated with Pantoprazole (294±44.3 min) compared to control (240±56.6 min). However, IGET did not differ significantly between the two time periods. Moreover, sex had no significant impact on the gastric emptying times, since considerable variation was not evident even between the male and female subjects. In conclusion, a single dose of pantoprazole significantly delays the complete gastric emptying of a liquid contrast medium in dogs, suggesting the need for caution when interpreting gastrointestinal contrast studies, as pharmacologically induced delay might be mistaken for pathological motility disorders in patients.