SNP panel for evaluation of genetic variability and relationship in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Blood samples from forty-six roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) acquired during officially approved hunting in six hunting divisions throughout Poland were used to isolate the genomic DNA. All individuals were genotyped by MD_Bovine BeadChip (Illumina) for 46.750 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. SNPs of inappropriate clusters, with a marker call rate lower than 90% and with a minor allele frequency (MAF) lower than 0.01, located on sex chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA, were removed. Altogether, 21.033 SNP markers were included for further analysis. Observed and expected heterozygosity amounted to 0.098 and 0.119, respectively. Among 21.033 markers, a panel of 148 SNPs were selected for relationship analysis. They were unlinked and had a MAF higher than 0.2. This set of SNPs showed a probability of parentage exclusion of 1.29x10 -6 and 2.37x10 -19 for one, and two known parents, respectively. The probability of identity was estimated at 1.8x10 -40. The probabilities obtained in this study are sufficient for the monitoring and effective management of the genetic diversity of roe deer in Poland and is a cost-effective complementary tool for forensic applications.

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.

Genetic differentiation among 6 populations of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in Poland based on microsatellite DNA polymorphism.

Recently, there has been considerable interest in genetic differentiation in the Cervidae family. A common tool used to determine genetic variation in different species, breeds and populations is DNA analysis, which allows for direct determination of the differences and changes within a group of animals. Because the analysis of microsatellite polymorphism in different Cervidae populations revealed considerable genetic variability in individual populations, it was important to test a set of markers in animals from these populations.The study was performed with muscle tissue and blood samples collected from a total of 793 red deer. Six groups (subpopulations) of red deer were defined according to region: Masurian (330 animals), Bieszczady (194 animals), Malopolska (80 animals), Sudety (76 animals), Lower Silesian (62 animals) and Lubusz (51 animals). The analysis involved 12 STR markers (BM1818, OarAE129, OarFCB5, OarFCB304, RM188, RT 1, RT 13, T26, T156, T193, T501, TGLA53), for which conditions for simultaneous amplification were established.Based on this study, it is concluded that the chosen set of 12 microsatellite markers could be used to evaluate the genetic structure and to monitor changes in Poland's red deer population.

Food transit time, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in farmed and feral American mink (Neovison vison)--a comparative analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether farming leads to changes in gastrointestinal function and nitrogen metabolism in farmed mink (FA), as compared with their wild-living counterparts. Three digestibility and balance trials were carried out. Experiment I was performed in May, and experiments II and III were conducted in September 2011. Farmed mink with the standard coat colour were purchased from a production farm in south-eastern Poland. Feral mink were harvested using cages in the hunting grounds of the Polish Hunting Association, Branch in Olsztyn. The experimental materials comprised of the following: trial I - adult males (eight animals per group), trial II - young females (six animals per group), trial III-young animals (five males and five females per group). Food transit time was measured during digestibility trials, on 10 consecutive days. The coefficients of nutrient and energy digestibility and daily nitrogen balance values were compared between groups in each experiment. It was found that farming contributed to changes in gastrointestinal function and nitrogen metabolism in mink. Farmed animals were characterized by a longer bowel transit time, a tendency towards higher nutrient digestibility and higher nitrogen retention, which resulted from selection for higher productivity.

Fine-tuning preadmission surgical services.

A preadmission procedure for surgical services prepares patients both physically and psychologically. A VIP folder holds all the information patients and the surgical staff need: procedure information, test results, discharge instructions, etc. On the day of the surgery, patients report directly to the surgical unit.