Abstract. Knowledge of the changes in the concentrations of biochemical parameters gives the possibility to conclude about the health status of the cows, the quality of nutrition, or reproductive performance and milk productivity. The studies aimed to assess the health status of the primiparous dairy cows at the time of prospectus new fertilization and to screen the challenges of the preceding periparturient period through the analysis of protein metabolism and iron parameters in context of their potential role as markers of the reproductive status. Despite significant variations, the studies showed that homeostatic mechanisms and adaptational processes in cows organism are rather efficient during this period. Nevertheless, it should be underlined that at the time of prospectus new pregnancy higher concentration of urea, lower concentration of creatinine and iron parameters was noted, emphasizing the dysregulation of the organism condition and pointing the possible reason of/association with prospectus difficulties in further reproductive performance. If analyzed for the particular herd, these parameters may be useful in considerations about the selection of the time for new fertilization.
Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyse the intensity of heavy metal accumulation in the multifloral honey collected from the beehives located in the mountain, foothill and forest steppe areas of the Carpathian region. The sources of emissions of heavy metals and their release into the environment differ, but they mostly have a technological origin as a consequence of urbanization and industrialization. It was found that the content of iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel and lead in the natural multifloral honey collected from the beehives located in the mountain, foothill and forest steppe areas of the Carpathian region did not exceed the standards. However, with the increasing intensity of an industrial impact on the environment, natural multifloral honey contains more heavy metals.
Abstract. Pollen baskets (dandelion and apple tree pollen) were collected from three beehives in three apiaries located in the mountain, foothill and forest steppe areas of the Carpathian region. Heavy metals (iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, lead and cadmium) in the studied biological material were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (S-115 PK). It was found that the dandelion and apple tree pollen, taken from the beehives located in the forest steppe area and the foothills of the Carpathian region, contained more iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, lead and cadmium. A high level of these heavy metals in the dandelion and apple tree pollen taken from the beehives located in the forest steppe and foothill areas of the Carpathian region results from intensive urbanization and industrialization.
Abstract. The quality of queens reared in colonies with restricted (RP) and not restricted pollen supply (NRP) was evaluated during foraging on false acacia and small-leaved and broad-leaved lime. It was shown that the body weight of queens in both groups immediately after emergence and on the day of instrumental insemination did not differ significantly (221.8 ± 15 and 224.3 ± 15 and 170.9 ± 15 and 177.5 ± 14 mg, respectively). The waiting time to start oviposition was similar: 4.7 ± 1.8 days in RP group and 5.7 ± 2.8 days in NRP group, not being significantly different. There were no significant differences in the diameter and volume of spermatheca and the number of ovarioles in the right ovary between the queens of the tested groups.
Abstract. Apart from fur farming, the popularity of a ferret also as a domestic animal has been increasing since the 1980s. Years of breeding work, initially on farms and then continued by amateur breeders, allowed for obtaining multiple colour variations. A uniform classification of ferret coat colour types has not been developed so far, thus it may vary depending on a country or a breeding society. This study aims to determine the genotype responsible for coat colour in ferrets and the way in which it is inherited, based on the corresponding knowledge for various mammalian species and a pedigree analysis of 201 pups from two ferretries (one Polish and one Italian) from 2009–2017. Altogether, the pedigrees contained 354 specimens (178 females and 176 males). The analysis used the Polish ferretry as the main data source, and the results were checked using the Italian ferretry. The following genes were assumed to be responsible for coat colour in ferrets: ASIP for agouti, TYRP1 for brown, MC1R for extension, TYR for albino, MYO5A for dilution, KIT for dominant white, Rn for roan, STX17 for progressive greying, and EDNRB for piebald spotting. Presented are simplified genotypes and the rules of inheritance of individual colours, taking into account basic colour (including colour uniformly white), a colour concentration pattern, and white markings. The results for white markings were ambiguous, so only hypothetical suggestions of genotypes were given.
