Abstract. The analysis involved results of 6891 body condition evaluations carried out on 680 Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows from two herds belonging to the same owner, although managed in different husbandry systems. The evaluation was carried out within two years using a 5-point scale, with an accuracy of 0.25 points. It was found that the most frequent score was 3.0 BCS (more than 24% of cows), in the tie-stall system, and 3.25 BCS (over 26%), in the free-stall housing system. The distribution of BCS scores of the cows with different daily productivity, of different ages and evaluated in different seasons of the year was significantly correlated with the applied housing system. Cows with the highest daily milk yield (>35 kg), younger cows (in the second lactation) and those evaluated in the summer had the least favorable distribution of body condition scores and their average values as compared to other groups. It was shown that cows kept on tether were more often receiving extreme body condition scores, i.e. not more than 2.0 points or 4.0 and more BCS points, as compared to cows managed in the free-stall housing system.
Abstract. The aim of the study was to analyse the concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum produced by Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF) cows in relation to selected factors. An important element of the study is the analysis of colostrum yield and density. The research was conducted between April 2017 through April 2018. The yield and selected traits of colostrum obtained from the first 9 milkings from 20 PHF cows calving during this period were analysed. A total of 180 measurements were made. The average immunoglobulin content in the 180 observations was 37.7 g · L–1, ranging between 7 and 140 g · L–1. The study showed a significant effect of time after calving on the content of immunoglobulins. The highest content of the antibodies was found in colostrum obtained immediately after calving. Its average level at that time was 90.2 g · L–1 and in 20 assessed cows it ranged within the wide limits of 32–140 g · L–1. The quality of colostrum radically deteriorated soon after calving. The lowest level of immunoglobulins was found in the 96th hour after parturition and it was on average 10 g · L–1. The average yield of colostrum was 10.3 kg. The yield of colostrum increased with time elapsing after calving. The lowest colostrum yield was observed within 2 hours, the highest within 96 hours after calving, respectively, 6.9 and 12.4 kg. The average specific density of colostrum was 1.041 g · cm–3. The study showed that the highest density was characterized by colostrum obtained in the first milking post-partum. Its specific weight was 1.059 g · cm–3. In subsequent milkings, the calcareous density of colostrum systematically decreased to 1.030 g · cm–3 in the 90th hour after calving.
Abstract. The objective of the study was to investigate possible effect of the polymorphism in pigeon αA-globin (AGLOB) gene on its expression level. The g.5768C>T substitution located in 3′ flanking region of the gene was analyzed. PCR-RFLP (AvaII) method was used to identify the SNP. The gene expression analyses were performed using qPCR. The investigation indicated a difference but not significant in the αA-globin gene expression levels between pigeons carrying different g.5768C>T genotypes. The AGLOBCC genotype was associated with 2.46-fold higher expression level of pigeon αA-globin gene compared to AGLOBTT genotype. The lower expression of αA-globin gene in AGLOBTT pigeons may be caused by the presence of cis-acting regulatory elements in the analysed gene region.
Abstract. The aim of the study was to describe parturitions in eight Pearl mink females. The video material, recorded inside each of the eight nests, was analysed using the Behaview software package. Duration of labour was determined, as well as the number of times female left the nest during parturition, the mean time of female’s absence from the nest, and time intervals between births of individual kits. The results show that the average duration of parturition was 3 hours and 23 min, during which a female left the nest 8 times on average, remaining outside for an average of about 18 minutes. Time intervals between individual kit births ranged from 16 to 52 minutes.
Abstract. The aim of the study was to assess breeding of zebra finches kept in a flock in an amateur indoor aviary. The research was carried out at an amateur breeding facility in the Masovian Voivodeship in 2014–2018. The subject of the study was 5 pairs of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) kept in an indoor aviary. Analysis of breeding was based on the following parameters: number of eggs laid, number of chicks hatched, and number of chicks reared from two broods each year. The reproductive parameters of the zebra finch pairs were varied. There were differences between individual pairs of birds for both the number of eggs laid per clutch and the number of chicks reared. Most of the zebra finch pairs had very good reproductive parameters; only a pair consisting of two albino individuals did not rear any offspring in any of the breeding seasons.
