Sławomir Mroczkowski

Blood chemistry in white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks varies by sex and age

Little is known on how blood biochemistry differs among avian chicks, especially in sexually monomorphic species. In this study we sampled blood chemistry of 342 white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks from nests in western Poland during four years (2005-2008). Special attention was paid to the effect of chick age and sex on blood biochemistry. Since white stork is a monomorphic species, the sex of chicks was established by a molecular technique. Nine blood biochemical parameters were studied: total protein concentration, urea, uric acid, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). There were sexual differences in total protein, uric acid, cholesterol, HDL and AST. However, total protein and uric acid only differed significantly between sexes if an age effect was included as a covariate in the analysis. Triglycerides decreased significantly, and AST, increased significantly with chick age. We confirm that blood biochemistry varies with chick age, but we also found significant differences between the sexes. Therefore, to understand changes in blood parameters, and to establish reference ranges useful in captive rearing of this endangered species, establishing gender may be important, even in very young individuals.

Sex ratio of White Stork Ciconia ciconia in different environments of Poland

The aim of this study was to analyze the variation in sex ratio of White Stork Ciconia ciconia chicks from differentiated Poland environments. We took under a consideration the impact of Cd and Pb for establish differences among sex ratio in chicks. We also study multiplex PCR employment for establish gender considerations. We collected blood samples via venipuncture of brachial vein of chicks during 2006–2008 breeding seasons at the Odra meadows (SW-Poland; control), which were compared with those from suburbs (SW-Poland), and from copper smelter (S-Poland; polluted) and from swamps near Baltic Sea. We found differences among sex ratio in White Stork chicks from types of environment. Male participation in sex structure is importantly higher in each type of environment excluded suburban areas. Differences in White Stork sex ratio according to the degree of environmental degradation expressed by Cd and Pb and sex-environment-metal interactions testify about the impact of these metals upon sex ratios in storks. Simultaneously, as a result of multiplex PCR, 18S ribosome gene, which served as internal control of PCR, was amplified in male and female storks. It means that it is possible to use primers designed for chicken in order to replicate this fragment of genome in White Stork. Moreover, the use of Oriental White Stork Ciconia boyciana W- chromosome specific primers makes it possible to determine the sex of C. ciconia chicks. Many factors make sex ratio of White Stork changes in subsequent breeding seasons, which depend significantly on specific environmental parameters that shape individual detailed defense mechanisms.

Polymorphism of prolactin gene and its association with growth and some biometrical traits in ducks

Abstract The main aim of the study was to estimate the polymorphism of prolactin (PRL) gene and its relation with some morphological traits (body weight – BW, length of trunk with neck – LTN, length of trunk – LT, chest girth – CG, length of breast bone – LBB, length of shank – LS) of Muscovy, Pekin and Mulard ducks. A secondary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of age, origin on ducks’ growth performances. Three genotypes at locus PRL/XbaI and one genotype at locus PRL/PstI were found. The results showed that Pekin ducks with the PRL/TT genotype in selected terms of evaluation characterised by higher (p < 0.05) LS and LBB values than those with the PRL/TG genotype. In Mulard ducks, PRL/XbaI polymorphism had an effect (p < 0.05) on BW and LS in birds aged 10 and 12 weeks (wk). The effect of age, origin on the growth traits of ducks was evaluated as well. All growth traits examined significantly increased with age. There was a significant (p < 0.01) effect of the ducks’ origin. Until the 7 wk of age, the Muscovies were lighter and had lower (p < 0.01) values of LTN, LT, CG, LBB, LS than Pekin and Mulard ducks. The results confirm that there were significant associations between interaction of considered factors and estimated traits.