Renáta Knop

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global threat to global public health, requiring innovative strategies to address antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. The synergy between plant extracts, essential oils, phytocompounds, and antibiotics promises to be a viable solution to this grave issue. Main body: In addition to the synergistic effects of plant extracts, essential oils, and phytocompounds, the current review described the main groups of phytochemicals that function as anti-bacterial agents. The mechanical and toxicological issues are also highlighted in the current review. Conclusion: The most popular techniques examined in this review are checkerboard and time-kill tests. The synergistic actions of plant extracts, phytocompounds, and essential oils effectively reduced the drug’s minimal inhibitory concentration against both standard and clinical bacterial isolates. Each of the three complementary strategies-plant extracts, phytocompounds, and essential oils-was equally significant.

This study evaluated factors affecting pregnancy outcomes, full-term calving success, and pre-weaning performance following embryo transfer in Holstein–Friesian cattle under commercial farm conditions. A total of 604 in vivo-derived embryos (fresh and frozen–thawed) were transferred into 384 heifers and 220 cows, and pregnancies were diagnosed by ultrasonography. Calves were monitored from birth to weaning. Pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (PR/ET) was higher in heifers than in cows, indicating superior reproductive performance of heifer recipients under field conditions. Recipient corpus luteum (CL) stage II yielded favorable pregnancy outcomes compared to CL stage I, whereas CL stage III comprised a small subgroup (n = 8) exhibiting a descriptive PR/ET of 87.5% that required cautious interpretation due to the limited sample size. Fresh embryos were associated with higher PR/ET than frozen–thawed embryos. Embryo developmental stage did not significantly affect initial pregnancy establishment or full-term calving rates, although stage 6 embryos (blastocyst) showed a non-significant numerical trend toward higher calving rates. Post-diagnosis gestation loss was a primary limiting factor, particularly in multiparous cows. Regarding pre-weaning performance, calves derived from frozen–thawed embryos exhibited a slightly higher birth weights than those from fresh embryos, whereas weaning weight and pre-weaning average daily gain did not differ between embryo types. Overall, recipient category and embryo type are key factors influencing pregnancy success, whereas postnatal performance is less affected. These findings highlight the importance of recipient selection and embryo management strategies for improving reproductive efficiency under commercial dairy farm conditions.

Feed intake determines nutrient utilization and production efficiency in poultry, yet hepatic mechanisms underlying responses to acute nutritional challenges remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to identify the liver proteins and pathways associated with feed intake regulation in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) subjected to different nutritional challenges. Eighteen 12-wk-old male quails (245.20 g ± 0.213) were housed individually and allocated to ad libitum control, 24 h feed-deprived, or 24 h low metabolizable energy groups (n=6/group). The basal diet contained 18% crude protein and 12.13 MJ/kg energy, whereas the low-energy diet had 6.30 MJ/kg and 11.60% crude protein. Liver proteins were extracted, identified, and quantified using DIA-NN (library-free), and Limma statistics (BH-adjusted p <0.05) were combined with STRING-based functional analysis (FDR ≤0.05). In total, 856 proteins were identified, of which 563 met the filtering criteria. Compared with the control, the low-energy diet increased oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid β-oxidation, mitochondrial substrate supply, and RNA-binding/translation, with decreased ER-Golgi trafficking, intracellular transport, and glycolysis-associated proteins. Feed deprivation emphasized mitochondrial respiratory chain assembly and oxidative phosphorylation, lipid oxidation, and detoxification, while suppressing ribosomal biogenesis, protein turnover, and fed-state metabolic processing. Direct comparison revealed that low energy maintains active cytoplasmic translation/ribosome biogenesis and xenobiotic metabolism, while feed deprivation/starvation enriches carboxylic acid metabolism and mitochondrial protection against oxidative stress. Quail liver demonstrated distinct proteomic responses to energy reduction compared with complete feed withdrawal. Notably, oxidative phosphorylation and lipid utilization emerged as central adaptive mechanisms and potential biomarker pathways in response to nutritional stress.

Feed intake and refeeding after nutrient scarcity induce rapid metabolic adaptations in the poultry liver; however, hepatic proteomic recovery pathways in the early hours post-refeeding remain poorly defined. This study aimed to characterize early liver protein signatures in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) recovering from nutritional stress under two refeeding conditions. Eighteen 12-week-old male quails (245.20 ± 0.213 g) were assigned to three groups (n=6): control fed ad libitum (12.13 MJ/kg), 24 h feed deprivation followed by 6 h refeeding, and 24 h low metabolizable energy (6.30 MJ/kg) diet followed by 6 h refeeding. Liver proteins were extracted, identified, and quantified using DIA-NN (library-free), and Limma statistics (BH adjusted p<0.05) were used with STRING-based network and functional analysis (FDR≤0.05). In total, 854 proteins were identified, of which 515 met the filtering criteria. The low metabolizable energy refeeding showed higher abundance of proteins linked to ATP binding and carbohydrate/carboxylic acid metabolism, alongside detoxification-related proteins, while the control exhibited greater representation of translation/RNA-binding machinery and antioxidant pathways. Compared with the control, feed-deprived refeeding was enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial complex I assembly with reduced cytoplasmic translation, NMD-related components, and sulfur compound metabolism. A direct comparison indicated divergent recovery strategies: low metabolizable energy refeeding favored oxidoreductase activity and translation initiation, whereas feed-deprived refeeding prioritized mitochondrial ATP production and glutathione-based defenses. Our analysis indicate that 6 h of refeeding initiates an early, incomplete recovery toward hepatic homeostasis, with the severity of prior nutritional restriction dictating distinct liver metabolic priorities.

Growing concern over antibiotic resistance in poultry production has increased interest in natural feed additives such as Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom)-derived products. This study evaluated three freeze-dried oyster mushroom powders: total fresh fruiting body (OMP-TF), cooked solid residue (OMP-CSR), and cooked liquid fraction (OMP-CL), as dietary supplements in male Coturnix japonica. A β-glucan positive control and basal diet negative control were included. Birds (1-day-old) were fed experimental diets from 1 to 28 days. An Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge was applied 12 h before sampling to induce an immune system activity. Growth performance, immune system activity, spleen relative weight, ileum morphometry, and antioxidant capacity were then evaluated to determine the effects of the experimental diets. Mushroom supplementation significantly modulated body weight during weeks 2–3 and overall weight gain, with OMP-TF maintaining higher body weight at week 4. Relative spleen weight, villus morphometry, cytokine responses (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4), and total antioxidant capacity were not significantly altered compared with LPS controls. Overall, P. ostreatus supplementation modulated growth performance under inflammatory challenge conditions, without significantly affecting the measured immune or intestinal parameters. These findings suggest a potential role of mushroom-derived products as growth-supporting feed additives; however, further studies are needed to clarify their effects on immune function and intestinal health.

The rapid expansion of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) across Eastern Europe has reshaped mesocarnivore communities, with potential influence on the dynamics of zoonotic disease. In Romania, where both Trichinella spp. and rabies remain public health concerns, updated data on wildlife reservoirs are essential. This study aims to provide an integrated assessment of Trichinella prevalence and rabies virus-neutralising antibody (RVNA) profiles in 134 wild canids (96 golden jackals and 38 red foxes, Vulpes vulpes) from northwestern Romania (August 2025–January 2026). Trichinella larvae were detected using the artificial digestion method, and infection intensity was expressed as larvae per gram. Rabies serology was performed using a commercial ELISA kit, with 0.5 IU/mL considered the protective threshold. Trichinella prevalence was significantly higher in foxes (78.9%) in comparison with jackals (60.4%), with similar larval burdens in both species. More than half of the individuals in both species exhibited RVNA titers below the protective threshold, indicating heterogeneous immunity levels in the population. No significant age- or sex-related differences in seroconversion were observed. These findings confirm intense sylvatic circulation of Trichinella spp. and highlight potential immunity gaps in wildlife rabies control. The results support the need for integrated, multi-pathogen surveillance and explicit inclusion of the golden jackal in disease monitoring and management strategies.

The conservation of genetic diversity in historically structured horse breeds requires fi-ne-scale population genetic evaluation beyond conventional pedigree-based approaches. The present study assessed genetic diversity, population structure, and mare family differentiation in a Lipizzan horse population using 16 ISAG/FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. A total of 172 mares representing 29 mare families were genotyped. All loci were polymorphic, with a mean number of alleles per locus of 6.69 and a mean effective number of alleles of 3.56. The average polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.66) indicated high marker informativeness. Mean observed heterozygosity was slightly lower than expected heterozygosity, although the overall negative inbreeding coefficient suggested general heterozygote excess and low population-level inbreeding, whilst the genetic differentiation among mare families was moderate. The principal components and the STRUCTURE analysis indicated admixture among mare families. Seven private alleles were detected across six loci, highlighting the presence of rare lineage-specific variants. These findings emphasize the importance of mare family-based analyses for identifying hidden genetic structures that may not be captured by population-level averages. The integration of microsatellite-based diversity evaluation provides a robust framework for de-signing sustainable breeding and conservation strategies aimed at preserving both overall variability and rare lineage-specific genetic components.

The effects of reproductive technologies, namely, artificial insemination (AI) and multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET), on the production, health, and longevity of Holstein–Friesian cows were evaluated. Data were obtained from the time period between 2017 and 2024 on a Hungarian dairy farm and consisted of 1783 cows (1544 AI and 239 MOET). Deep-frozen semen from identical bulls was used for both the AI and MOET groups. Disease incidence, productive life, and early-lactation milk production phenotypes were collected in these cows. MOET cows demonstrated significantly higher milk yield during the first 100 days of lactation but had a 43.9% greater risk of culling compared with AI cows (p < 0.05). Metabolic and reproductive disorders were the most common reasons for culling cows, with increased frequency of health issues correlating with higher culling risk ratios (p < 0.05). While MOET cows showed lower incidences of metabolic disorders, reproductive problems, and mastitis, their shorter productive lifespan likely limited overall disease exposure. Nevertheless, when MOET cows experienced illness, the impact was more severe, particularly in relation to metabolic issues (p < 0.05). These findings highlight trade-offs between improved genetic potential and health resilience in MOET-derived cows. Despite their higher productivity, their management may require greater health vigilance. This study offers practical insights for dairy producers in selecting reproductive strategies to balance genetic gain, herd health, and longevity under intensive production systems.

The Carpathian Basin is a coherent biogeographic unit whose wildlife populations and pathogen dynamics are increasingly reshaped by administratively fragmented governance, land-use change and linear infrastructure. This review synthesizes evidence that the permeability patterns governing host movement also structure the transboundary exchange of genes and infections, creating a connectivity substrate for conservation genetics and One Health risk. Focusing on wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and the expanding golden jackal (Canis aureus), we integrate population genetic inferences with wildlife epidemiology to examine how highways, border fences and asymmetric management (e.g., supplemental, feeding practices, hunting pressure and surveillance regimes) can generate biological asymmetries across boundaries. We highlight African swine fever as an emblematic disturbance in wild boar populations, discuss cervid risks including tick-borne pathogens and chronic wasting disease (CWD) preparedness and evaluate zoonotic threats associated with carnivore expansion (e.g., Echinococcus spp.). We propose a Carpathian Basin-level monitoring and data-sharing architecture, coupling harmonized passive surveillance, strategic active surveillance for priority pathogens, and standardized genetic marker panels supported by interoperable metadata. A Basin-scale One Health approach is a pragmatic prerequisite for the coordinated prevention, early detection and resilient management of cross-border epizootics and zoonotic threats.