Tadeusz Kośla

EVALUATION OF RUBIDIUM CONTENTS IN ORGANS OF BITCHES (CANIS LUPUS F. FAMILIARIS )

Abstract The objective of the presented study was to compare rubidium concentration in different organs of bitches, depending on their health state. Samples of muscles, liver, and kidneys collected post mortem from 45 animals, at the age of 1-8 years, were examined. Chemical analysis was conducted using the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy method. The contents of rubidium in particular organs varied from 2.07 to 4.52, from 1.25 to 3.81, and from 1.32 to 3.78 mg·kg-1 of wet weight for muscle, kidney, and liver samples, respectively. The highest values were observed in animals with neoplastic disease and the lowest in healthy animals. These differences were highly statistically significant.

Respecting EU cross-compliance requirements as an indicator of animal welfare on dairy farms in Poland

Respecting EU cross-compliance requirements as an indicator of animal welfare on dairy farms in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the level of animal welfare on dairy farms in Poland and to compare the measured parameters with the cross-compliance requirements. The study was conducted on 46 farms in the winter season. The microclimate measurements such as air moisture content, concentrations of selected air pollutants and the brightness of the room has been taken. A comparison of cattle housing systems on bedding and on the slatted floor has been examined. The barns were divided into four groups, depending on the size of the herd: 10–20 cows (12 barns), 21–40 cows (22 barns), 41–60 cows (7 barns), and 100–180 cows (5 barns), respectively. The largest group consisted of haerds housing 21–40 cows, which represented 48% of all herds involved in the study. Of all the barns that used slatted floors or bedding, we selected three largest herds each in order to compare hygienic parameters between both types of housing. The main findings were as follows: (1) the concentration of selected air pollutants in most of the barns did not deviate from the recommendations of the (Polish) National Research Institute of Animal Production; (2) the concentration of selected air pollutants was lower in barns where the cattle was kept on slatted floors; (3) the cattle housed on slatted floors also had better lighting conditions; (4) smaller herds of dairy cows were found to have relative air humidity conditions; (5) in 81% of farms, air humidity in the premises remained within the animal welfare standards.

Concentrations of zinc, cadmium and lead in the hoof horn of the European bison (Bison bonasus bonasus) / Zawartość cynku, kadmu i ołowiu w ścianie rogowej racicy żubra Europejskiego (Bison bonasus bonasus)

Abstract The aim of the study was the assessment of zinc, cadmium and lead concentrations in the hoof horn of the European bison free ranging in Białowieża Primeval Forest. The investigation material comprised hoof samples collected from animals eliminated during annual selection. Animals were divided depending on gender (males and females). Metals content was determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method (ICP-MS). Mean metals concentrations in hoof were: 114.1, 0.15 and 0.45 mg·kg-1 dry matter for zinc, cadmium and lead, respectively. A significantly correlated dependence at p ≤ 0.05 was observed between the zinc and lead content in the material studied. No statistically significant differences in the metals content were observed depending on gender. It can be stated, that zinc, cadmium and lead concentrations in the hoof wall of the European bison from Białowieża primeval forest are in the reference values determined for the hair coat of other ungulates species Streszczenie Celem pracy była ocena zawartości cynku, kadmu i ołowiu w ścianie rogu racicy żubra pochodzącego z Puszczy Białowieskiej. Materiałem badawczym były próby racic pobrane od zwierząt podczas corocznej eliminacji. Zwierzęta podzielono na grupy w zależności od płci (samce i samice). Zawartość metali określano za pomocą spektrometrii mas z jonizacją w plazmie indukcyjnie sprzężonej (ICP-MS). Średnie stężenia metali w ścianie racicy wynosiły: 114,1; 0,15 i 0,45 mg·kg-1 suchej masy odpowiednio dla cynku, kadmu i ołowiu. Stwierdzono statystycznie istotną zależność (p ≤ 0,05) między zawartością cynku i ołowiu w badanym materiale. Nie odnotowano różnic statystycznych w zawartości metali w zależności od płci zwierząt. Można stwierdzić, że zawartość cynku, kadmu i ołowiu w ścianie rogowej racicy żubrów z terenu Puszczy Białowieskiej znajduje się w zakresie wartości referencyjnych ustalonych dla okrywy włosowej innych gatunków zwierząt kopytnych

The effect of gender and age on the sulphur tissue content in free living European bisons / Wpływ płci i wieku na zawartość siarki w tkankach żubra wolno żyjącego

Abstract The presented investigations aimed at determining sulphur status in the European bison free ranging in Białowieża primeval forest. The sulphur concentration in the liver, kidneys, muscle and rib was determined. The material for analyses was obtained from animals eliminated within annual selection. They were grouped according to gender (males, females) and age (calves up to one year of age, animals aged over two years). The sulphur concentrations were determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method in the accredited laboratory. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica™ 10 packet. No statistically significant differences in the sulphur content were observed with respect to the sex and age of animals. The mean content of the discussed element in the liver of European bisons amounted to 6.75 g • kg−1 of the fresh tissue, 6.82 g • kg−1 in kidneys, 6.66 g • kg−1 in muscles and 0.44 g • kg−1 in ribs.

Domestic cat (Felis catus) as a bioindicator of environmental lead contamination / Kot domowy (Felis catus) jako bioindykator zanieczyszczenia środowiska ołowiem

Abstract The investigations aimed at determining the lead content in domestic cat hair as an indicator of environmental lead contamination. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 cats from the region of Warsaw. The first group of 10 cats (five males and five females) were kept at home as the accompanying animals. Another group (five males and five females) were the so-called feral urban cats whose nutritional base comprised human food wastes. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to routine surgical treatments. The lead content was determined with the help of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. A significant effect of the conditions of animal life on the lead content in their hair was observed. The mean content of metal in hair of all the investigated cats amounted to 1.95 mg • kg−1. The highest lead concentration in free living animals was 2.89 mg • kg−1 (females: 3.58; males: 2.20 mg • kg−1). In cats kept as accompanying animals, the mean lead value was nearly three times lower (1 mg • kg−1) (females: 0.98; males: 1.02 mg • kg−1). In the coat of animals living as urban feral cats, a significantly higher mean lead concentration was observed than in cats kept at home. The values are similar to those obtained in the analysis of the lead content in carnivorous animals originating from the non-urbanised areas.

The effect of living conditions on vanadium bioaccumulation in cats / Wpływ warunków bytowania na bioakumulację wanadu u kotów

Abstract The aim of the investigation was the assessment of vanadium concentrations in the hair of domestic cats kept as accompanying animals and cats living in the urban environment as the feral cats. The investigation material comprised hair samples collected from 20 animals from the Warsaw agglomeration region. The first group included five males and fivefe males kept at home. The second group (five males and fivefe males) represented feral animals. Hair samples were collected from the middle abdominal region prior to the routine surgical procedures. Vanadium content was determined using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. The effect of the living environment on vanadium content in the hair of the investigated animals was observed. The mean value in the group of the free-living animals amounted to 0.26 mg • kg−1 for males and 0.20 mg • kg−1 for females. In the group of cats accompanying humans, these values amounted to 0.175 and 0.17 mg • kg−1, respectively. The mean vanadium content was higher in young females than in older ones. In males, this value was higher in the group of older animals.

The iron content in organs of free ranging European bison from the Białowieża herd.

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine iron status in chosen organs of the European bison free ranging in Białowieża Primeval Forest. The material for analyses was obtained from animals eliminated during annual selection. Segments of liver, kidney, muscle, rib, and hoof were collected. Animals were divided depending on gender (males and females) and age (calves up to 1 year and animals older than 2 years). Mean iron concentration in liver was 263.59 mg ∙ kg-1 fresh tissue. The iron content was significantly higher in the group of animals older than 2 years (P≤0.05). The average content of iron in kidneys amounted to 156.70 mg ∙ kg-1 fresh tissue. The average iron content in muscles amounted to 79.95 mg ∙ kg-1 fresh tissue. Similarly to the liver samples a statistically significant difference (P≤0.05) was demonstrated depending on age. The average iron content in ribs and in the horn of the hoof wall of all European bison amounted to 38.90 mg ∙ kg-1 fresh tissue and 47.87 mg ∙ kg-1 dry matter, respectively. No statistically significant differences in the iron content were observed depending on gender. Streszczenie Celem badań było oznaczenie zawartości żelaza w wybranych narządach żubrów żyjących wolno w Puszczy Białowieskiej. Materiał do badań pozyskano od zwierząt eliminowanych podczas dorocznej selekcji. Pobrano wycinki wątroby, nerek, mięśni, żeber i racic. Osobniki podzielono w zależności od płci (samce i samice) oraz wieku (cielęta do 1 roku i zwierzęta powyżej 2 lat). Średnia zawartość żelaza w wątrobie wynosiła 263,59 mg ∙ kg-1 świeżej masy narządu i była ona istotnie wyższa w grupie zwierząt starszych. Średnia zawartość żelaza w nerkach wynosiła 156,70 mg ∙ kg-1, zaś w mięśniach 79,95 mg ∙ kg-1 świeżej masy. Podobnie jak w przypadku wątroby zaobserwowano tu istotne statystycznie różnice (P≤0,05) pomiędzy grupami wiekowymi. Średnia zawartość żelaza w żebrze oraz rogu ściany racicy wynosiła odpowiednio 38,90 mg ∙ kg-1 świeżej masy oraz 47,87 mg ∙ kg-1 suchej masy. Nie zaobserwowano istotnych statystycznie różnic w zależności od płci badanych zwierząt.