Effect of organic zinc supplementation on hematological, mineral, and metabolic profile in dairy cows in early lactation.

The aim of the current trial was to evaluate the effect of organically chelated zinc - methionin (Zn-Met) supplementation (30 mg Zn /kg DM TMR) on hematological, biochemical, and mineral profile of dairy cows in early lactation (1 - 90 d p.p.). Twenty dairy cows were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments in a randomized design. Animals in group C were treated as control (no zinc supplementation); whereas animals in group S were supplemented with organic Zn. Zn-Met supplementation had a significant effect on hematological parameters. White blood cell (WBC) counts 60 days p.p. and red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration (HGB), hematocrit level (HCT) and platelet count (PLT) on calving day, 30th- and 60th- day p.p were significantly higher in cows fed Zn than in the control group. In calves from supplemented mothers, there was a significant increase in RBC (p≤0.001), HCT (p≤0.01) and MCV (p≤0.05). There was no difference in other parameters among the groups, except of the highly significant difference in Zn concentration in blood serum of the S-group during the entire experimental time. The results obtained confirm the beneficial effect on serum zinc level and hematological parameters with no negative effects of 30mg Zn/kg TMR addition on mineral and biochemical parameters.

Comparison of the content of selected heavy metals in the liver tissue of the wild boar (Sus scrofa), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), living in north-eastern Poland.

The study aimed to determine the content of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) in the liver of predominantly plant-eating omnivore wild boar (Sus scrofa), predominantly meat-eating omnivore red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and herbivore red deer (Cervus elaphus), from North-Eastern Poland (Warmia and Mazury), in order to verify the distribution of these elements in the trophic pyramid. Furthermore, the study was used to assess the risk of eating venison. Samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average concentration of Se was 3.9 (p⟨0.001) and 1.8-fold higher (p0.001) in the wild boar and red fox, respectively, in comparison to the red deer, and 2.1-fold higher in the wild boar comparing to the red fox (p⟨0.001). There was no difference in the average concentration of Zn. The average concentration of Cu was 9.3. Concentration of this element was 5.4-fold higher in red deer in comparison to red fox (p⟨0.001) and 9,34-fold higher than in wild boar (p⟨0.001). The average concentration of Cd was 1.9-fold higher in wild boar in comparison to the red fox (p⟨0.029). Correlation between Cu and Cd concentrations was also observed in the case of the red deer and red fox, while no such correlations were observed between the tested elements in the wild boar. In conclusion, the liver concentrations of these heavy metals in selected wild animas species from the hunting areas of Warmia and Mazury, do not exceed standard safe values for consumers. Moreover, the wild red deer population in North-Eastern Poland is significantly Se deficient.

Efficacy of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyric acid (HMB) for growing rate and its influence for health indicators in blood test of young early-weaning goats.

The study was conducted on 26 male, 30 days-old goats, separated from their mothers, divided into two equal groups: I - control and II - experimental, consisting of 13 animals each. All animals were fed with milk replacer, experimental group received additionally 50 g/kg body weight, additive of HMB, for 60 days. The following features were analyzed: body weight, daily increases of body weight, as well as hematological and biochemical blood features. Differences in body weight were found, between experimental and control group, after 60 days of experiment 0.57 kg (p≤0.01). The daily weight gain of experimental animals was higher in comparison with control group. Significant differences were also noted in results of hematological and biochemical blood parameters. Experimental animals showed a higher level of red blood cells as well as number of lymphocytes in comparison with the control group, (p≤0.01).Significant changes were also observed in the level of triglycerides, inorganic phosphorus and protein between both groups. The acid-base balance parameters and ionogram, showed a higher pH level (p≤0.05) HCO - act., HCO - std., BE, ctCO , O sat, K+, Cl- (p≤0.01), while the anion gap (AG) and Na+ were significantly lower in control group (p≤0.01).