The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of two selenium sources (sodium selenite and Se enriched yeast) in terms of its concentration in the liver, heart, kidneys and skeletal muscles of lambs. The experiment was conducted on 48 lambs divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 16 animals: group I (the control group) - received no additional selenium, group II received 0.2 mg Se/day/animal (Se enriched yeast) for 1 month, group III - received 0.2 mg Se/day/animal (Na₂SeO₃) for 1 month. Tissue samples for analyses were collected after slaughter, after 2 and 4 weeks of the oral administration of selenium and in the 6th and 8th weeks of treatment (after the end of selenium supplementation). Selenium was determined in the samples after microwave mineralization using the atomic absorption spectrometer SpektrAA 220Z with electrothermal atomization and Zeeman background correction, Varian. The research results revealed that selenium supplement has increased selenium concentration in lamb tissues and organs. The best performance was observed in the lamb group fed the yeast selenium improved diet. The highest selenium level was determined in lamb kidneys and liver, while the lowest in the heart. The selenium content in lamb tissues and organs recorded in the final stage of the experiment indicated a deficit of this element in the organism. Therefore, it is recommended to improve lamb diet with a selenium dose established on the basis of the selenium status of the animal’s organism as well as to determine selenium content in the sources of this element.
The research was carried out on the Experimental Farm in Uhrusk, which belongs to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Two-year experiment were conducted in order to assess the influence of environmental conditions on the selenium content in sheep. The investigations included meadows grazed by sheep, from which samples of soils and meadow herbage were obtained for analysis of selenium content. The animal material consisted of 64 lambs and their mothers, whose blood serum was taken for determinations of the selenium content in their organism. The research results showed that the analyzed soils and meadow grasses were characterized by low selenium content. Also, the selenium content in fodder fed to the sheep and lambs was below the animals’ standard demand for this element. The low selenium level found in the sheep’s blood serum distinctly proved a deficiency of this element in their organisms. The results show that environmental conditions have a significant influence on the supply of selenium to adult sheep and their offspring. Selenium deficiency in particular trophic chain links can present a serious threat to the health of animals fed with homegrown fodders.
The studies were carried out in two stages. The aim of the first stage was to assess the selenium levels in the feed for lambs, as well as in the milk and serum of their dams. The objective of the second stage of studies was to evaluate the impact of using two different doses and sources of selenium (sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast) on its concentration in lamb serum. The experiment was conducted on 64 lambs divided into four groups, each consisting of 16 animals: group I, the control group - received no additional selenium, group II - received 0.1 mg Se/day/animal (Se-enriched yeast), group III - received 0.2 mg Se/day/animal (Se-enriched yeast), group IV - received 0.2 mg Se/day/animal (Na₂SeO₃). The concentration of Se in feed, milk and serum was determined by means of an atomic absorption spectrometer SpektrAA 220Z with electrothermal atomization and Zeeman background correction (by Varian). Low concentration of selenium in soil, plants and food would suggest a deficiency of this mineral. These results indicate that low Se levels in the serum of lambs generally reflect the level of dietary Se. The results of this study demonstrate that Se from organic sources was markedly more available to lambs than selenium from mineral sources.
The objective of the present research was to evaluate the dynamics of changes in the mineral content in blood serum and liver of lambs under dietary selenium supplementation. The study was conducted on 48 lambs assigned to three equal groups. The experiment started when the lambs were 5 weeks old, proceeded for 8 weeks and consisted of two stages. During the first, 4-week stage, the lambs were divided into three groups: group I – clinical control group, II – which received 0.2 mg Se/day in the form of enriched yeast, and III – which was fed 0.2 mg Se/day in the form of sodium selenite (POCH, Poland). During the second, 4-week stage, the lambs did not receive any supplements. Blood samples were taken after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of the experiment. Liver samples were collected from slaughtered animals after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks since the onset of the experiment. Selenium supplementation significantly increased the Se concentration in the blood serum and liver of lambs. Selenium compounds significantly contributed to changes in the analyzed minerals, i.e. manganese, zinc, copper and iron. The results of this experiment suggest that selenium supplementation might lead to a decrease in levels other health-promoting elements such as Zn, Cu and Fe, and an increase in the Mn levels in the liver. Differences in the influence of organic and mineral forms of selenium on the Mn, Zn, and Cu content in the blood serum and liver were noticed. A significant decrease in the copper and iron content may induce symptoms of the deficiency of these trace elements in animals.
Fish are a group of organisms that are highly sensitive to mercury (Hg) contamination of the aquatic environment. At the same time, because this element can be accumulated in tissues, it can pose a serious threat to human health. The main objective of the study was to determine the content of Hg in the muscles (HgM) and gills (HgG) of various species of fish from shallow lakes with varied physicochemical conditions. Sampling was done in 5 lakes from April to November 2012 and 2013. The concentration of Hg in fish tissues was affected by 4 variables, including ammonium nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, oxygen saturation, and temperature, and the first 2 axes explained 78.9% of total variance in Hg concentration. The concentration of Hg in muscles was widely varied depending on the fish species, and its highest concentration was observed in predatory fish such as asp and perch, while the lowest concentration of this element was found in Prussian carp, bream, and rudd. Although content of Hg increased with fish body length, in non-predatory fish this correlation was less clear. The gills of the fish contained lower concentrations of Hg than the muscles. Hg content in muscles was within acceptable weekly limits, but predatory fish consumed in large quantities by the local population may pose a potential risk for human health.
The undertaken study aimed at analysing the effect of linseed oil used in diets for turkey hens on contents of pro- and antioxidants in their tissues. Additionally, correlations were analysed between the contents of these compounds in blood, liver, and muscles of the birds. The experiment was conducted on 240 one-week-old turkey hens reared until 16 weeks of age, randomly allocated into two feeding groups. Hens from the first group received soybean oil in their complete feed mixture, whereas linseed oil was the source of fat for turkey hens from the second group. The oil content of the diet was on the level appropriate for the period of feeding: Starter - 0.5%; Grower I - 1.0%, Grower II - 2.5%; Finisher I - 3%. The redox parameters were assayed in breast and thigh muscles, blood, and liver. Introduction of PUFA n-3 high linseed oil to a feed mixture contributed to the enhancement of lipid peroxidation processes, which was indicated by a significant increase in concentrations of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde in muscles, and by an increase of superoxide dismutase activity and concentrations of vitamin C and minerals (Cu⁺², Zn⁺², Fe⁺², Se⁺²). This points out the need of strengthening the antioxidative defence by the use of suitable antioxidants. The use of linseed oil as a feed material for turkey hens additionally contributed to changes in parameters determining the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). The increased FRAP values resulted from a significant increase in vitamin E level.
Bioactive compounds are natural antioxidants essential for the normal functioning of a body. The main sources of antioxidants are fruit and vegetables. Bioactive compounds are essentially stable during the storage of raw material, but their processing leads to significant changes in the content of these compounds, which continue during the storage of end products. A substantial proportion of biologically active compounds is destroyed during technological processing as well as long-term storage of products in unsuitable conditions. Hence the aim of the study was to determine the effect of the winemaking process on the antioxidant potential and content of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and tannins), vitamin C, minerals and catalase activity in wines obtained from black currant, red currant, strawberry, grape and raspberry. While grape wines are very popular because of their flavour and other health-promoting effects, wines produced from berry fruits are a source of numerous valuable natural antioxidant compounds that are beneficial for health. Wine made from black currants was found to contain the greatest quantity of antioxidants. Among the berry fruits analyzed, black currant proved to have the highest antioxidant properties, which was linked to its high content of polyphenolic compounds, vitamin C and mineral nutrients. Similarly, wine obtained from the fruit of black currant had the highest capacity to scavenge free radicals.
The objective of the study was to determine if there were differences in Cr, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni levels in coat hair and hoof horn between Polish Konik horses maintained in stabled and reserve systems in Roztocze National Park in Poland. Summer and winter feeding seasons (seasons of the year in case of hooves) and age of horses were taken into account. 107 samples of hair and hooves, as well as all kinds of feed and sources of water available for the horses were examined. The results of the study indicate that the concentration of the elements in the coat hair, hoof horn, feeds and water is usually too low to show possible influence of the system of maintenance in feeding seasons and age effect. The reserve horses are not more exposed to heavy metal contamination than the stabled horses. In the hair, solely Mn level is affected by the systems of maintenance in summer and winter feeding seasons: during winter it is higher, particularly in the stabled system, than during summer. In hooves, Cr concentration is higher in stabled horses than in reserve horses and conversely, Cu content is higher in the reserve horses. Mn content is age-affected both in hair and hooves, likewise is Cu content in the hooves. The results indicate a necessity of Cu compound supplementation in feeding the horses in both systems of maintenance.
Among domestic animals, cattle and horses kept on pasture and fed with hay and straw are exposed most prominently to environmental pollution. Determination of the status of heavy metals in bodies of horses is important for two reasons. Firstly, it helps to assess the level of environmental contamination. Secondly, heavy metals can have considerable influence on animals living outdoors. The aim of the study has been to verify whether the level of Cr, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni in the coat hair and cornified structures of hooves may differ between horses maintained alternately in a stable and on pasture and living outdoors all year long, with Polish Koniks from Mazury (the Masurian Lake District) taken as an example. Possible effects of the feeding season and age of horses were considered. In total, 35 Polish Konik horses were examined, either kept in a stable-pasture system in Popielno or outdoors in Wojnowo. Sixty-two samples of summer and winter coat hair, 28 samples of hoof horn, as well as 10 samples of pasture plants and water were analyzed. The data were elaborated with the use multi-factor analysis of variance, T-Tukey- Kramer test and Pearson’s correlation. The results show that Polish Konik horses bred in Mazury have a low heavy metal concentration in the coat hair and hoof horn. The stable-pasture and outdoor maintenance systems hardly differentiate the element content, whereas the winter feeding results in an elevated concentration of the elements in the hair. Yearlings show higher Mn and Cd content than mares and foals at foot. The dam’s impact on the heavy metal concentration in the hair and hoof horn in their foals is usually non-significant.
The last trimester of pregnancy in sheep is frequently associated with pregnancy toxemia, usually connected with ketonemia and metabolic acidosis. Because a changed diet cation-anion difference (DCAD) is able to change the values of plasma acid-base balance (ABB) the authors sought to determine what kind of shift in ABB values is induced by diets with different DCAD. The authors also compare the influence of two diets with a different DCAD on some reproduction parameters in sheep. Although both diets used in our experiment had a positive DCAD, one of them was more alcalemic (high-DCAD) and the other more acidemic (low-DCAD). In the group of sheep fed with a +214.5 mEq/kg DM DCAD diet, blood pH was higher than under +46.2 mEq/kg DM condition. Significant changes, especially in the 15th and 16th week of pregnancy were observed. Under a high-DCAD condition, anion gap (AG) was elevated to 19.6 ± 2.62 mEq/l. No significant changes of AG in low-DCAD fed animals were observed. The values of AG in this group ranged between 18.02 ± 3.68 mEq/l - 19.15 ± 1.79 mEq/l. The feeding of sheep with +214.5 mEq/kg DM essentially resulted in negative values of a strong ion gap (SIG). In the second group, fed with lower DCAD, positive SIG (3.43 ± 0.55 mEq/l) occurred already in the 16th week of pregnancy. In this group of sheep, the litter size was higher and reached 1.29 ± 0.7. By employing forage with a known value of DCAD it is possible to influence not only on the health of sheep during the course of pregnancy but also to improve their reproductive parameters.
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