The examinations of the content of lead and cadmium in the liver and kidneys were carried out on 237 foxes which included 110 females and 127 males. The level of the tested metals varried greatly. The maximum content exceeded the minimal standart 89 times in the liver and as much as 123 times in kidneys, while the maximum content of cadmium exceeded the minimal standard by 43 times in the liver and 79 times in kidneys. It was noted that an average concentration of lead in males was greater than in females: 0.142 and 0.126 mg/kg in the liver, and 0.147 and 0.127 mg/kg in kidneys, respectively. The average concentration of cadmium in the liver was identical for both sexes, i.e. 0.036 mg/kg. However, the level of cadmium in the kidneys of males was higher (0.113 mg/kg) than in females (0.093 mg/kg). The highest concentration of the tested elements was found in foxes with reproductive disturbances.
During 1985—1990 12 302 fodder samples were tested bacteriologically, including 303 g (24,7%) from fodder mixtures, 1585 (12,89%) from fish meal, 2905 (23,61%) from bone-meateal, 4054 (32,95%) from imported ground soya beans and peanuts 719 (5,85%) samples of protein- fat concentrate. Out of 12 302 tested samples 456 (3,71%) Salmonellae were isolated. Salmonella was most often isolated from protein-fat concentrate (14.88%) and bone-meat meal (8,57%). This bacterium was isolated with the lowest frequency from imported ground grain (0,69%) and fish meal (0,76%). The following serotypes were most commonly isolated: Salmonella choleraesuis, S. derby, S. isangi and S. typhimurium.
The aim of the experiment was to examine the healing process of experimental wounds in 15 rats. The wounds of 9 rats were treated with 4% chitosan ascorbate (1st group), whereas the wounds of 6 rats were not treated at all (2nd group). In every rat two square skin flaps (10 mm x 10 mm) were cut out on the back in the scapular region. The proces of wound healing was surveyed for 21 days, the rate of crust formation was observed and the width and depth of crust was measured. On the 7th, 14th and 21st day of the experiment wound specimens were cut out for histopathologic examination. This examination assessed the surface of a wound (exudate, epidermis - coverage of defect surface, epidermal thickness expressed in the number of cell layers, characteristics of ripening - creation of granular and horny layer, occurrence of appendage buds) and the tissue filling up a defect (the number of capillary vessels, collagen and argentaffin fibres their number and thickness). The results of microscopic and histopathologic examination confirmed the usefulness of chitosan ascorbate in healing experimental wounds in rats. In rats treated with chitosan ascorbate the wound healing process was quicker, the wound shrank more quickly, the process of epidermis reconstruction was better, the scar was smaller, skin appendages - hair follicles and glands - were regenerated.
The content of iron, copper and manganese was tested in 237 foxes, including 110 females and 127 males. The level of the elements varied greatly in the liver and in the kidneys according to the sex of the foxes. The average concentration of iron and copper was much higher in the liver of males than that in females and also higher in the kidneys of females compared with that in males. The average concentration of manganese in the kidneys of foxes did not vary considerably in either sex. On the other hand, it was notably higher in the liver of males than in females. The average level of iron, copper and manganese was significantly higher in the liver than in the kidneys of foxes independent of sex.