Histopathological changes in green muscle disease of turkeys

In this study, results of histopathological investigations of meat samples collected from turkeys with macroscopically recognized green muscle disease were compared with those obtained from turkeys without macroscopic signs of this syndrome. The histopathological lesions were assessed based upon the self-designed 7-grade scale of the intensity of changes. The greatest intensity of the histopathological alterations were found in the smaller pectoral muscle collected from turkeys in which macroscopical signs of the green muscle disease were observed. Similar changes were also found in the greater pectoral muscle, however, they were less intense than those determined in the smaller pectoral muscle.     

The effect of beta carotene supplementation on the beta carotene and vitamin A levels of blood plasma and some fertility indices of dairy cows

Seasonal variations in beta carotene intake and low levels of beta carotene and vitamin A in blood plasma were found in cows fed ration based mainly on maize silage. The supplementation of daily winter rations with 300 mg Rovimix-beta carotene per cow, beginning 14 days before parturition and 60 days after calving increased slighty the beta carotene and vitamin A concentrations of blood plasma and improved some fertility indices: the number of inseminations per cow was reduced and the percentage of conception rate was significantly higher. It may be assumed that beta carotene content in feeds and it's utilization rate generally reflected in beta carotene blood plasma level and in the improvement of fertility.     

The apparent ileal and faecal digestibilities of amino acids and carbohydrates of rye, barley and triticum grains in pigs

Six pigs of initial weight 40 +/- 1.7 kg with a T-piece cannula fitted at the terminal ileum were given diets composed of 96.3% of rye, barley or triticum grains ground to pass the 2.6 mm mesh, 3.3% mineral and vitamin mixture and 0.4% Cr2O3. Each diet was given to all pigs in a Latin square design, and faeces and ileal digesta were collected on 7, 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12 day of feeding each diet, respectively. The grains varied widely in the content of pentosans, polyuroids, beta-glucan and monosaccharides. The antitrypsin activities were 0.84, 2.73 and 1.62 TUI/g in barley, rye and triticum, respectively. Ileal and faecal apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and amino acids were higher (P less than or equal to 0.01) in Triticum than in barley and rye. The digestibility of carbohydrates (pentosans, beta-glucan, polyuroids and non-structural carbohydrates) were lower in pigs fed a rye diet than of those fed a Triticum diet. The results are discussed with respect of the role to non starch polysaccharides, especially pentosans in digestibility of nitrogen and energy in animals receiving a rye diet.     

Studies on insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of purple willow Salix purpurea L. in the Ojców National Park in Poland

Analytical studies were conducted on the species composition of galls occurring on the leaves of Salix purpurea L. in the Ojców National Park in 1999?–?2000. The species composition of galls was identical in two consecutive years. Galls were caused by 5?species (a total of 480?galls). The most numerous species in both years was Pontania viminalis (L.). Index of occurrence frequency and Agrell's index of species co-existence have been calculated. This index reached the highest values in case of Pontania dolichura (Thoms.) and P. viminalis (L.) in 1999 as well as Phyllocolpa leucaspis (Tischb.) and P. viminalis (L.) in 2000.     

Loss in macronutrient pools in bilberry and lingonberry in mesic Scots pine forests after Northern red oak introduction

Forest transformation from coniferous monocultures to mixed stands is being promoted worldwide, including the introduction of fast-growing broadleaved tree species within native stands. Here, we studied how enrichment of temperate European Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest by North-American northern red oak Quercus rubra impacted macronutrient concentrations in two long-lived and dominant components of the forest understory: bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and lingonberry V. vitis-idaea. Study sites were located in forest complexes (central Poland) which occupy continuously reforested lands (hereafter ancient forests) as well as post-agricultural lands (recent forests), all suitable for mesic pine forests. Samples of bilberry and lingonberry leaves, stems, and fruits were collected in pine stands and in adjacent Scots pine-red oak stands, in both ancient and recent forests. Concentrations of macronutrients (C, N, P, K, Ca, S, and Mg) in aboveground biomass components were analysed using standardized chemical procedures. The study revealed intra- and interspecific (bilberry vs. lingonberry) differences in concentrations of all nutrients in leaves, stems, and fruits, except for invariable C concentrations. Macronutrient accumulations in plants were decreased by land-use discontinuity and favoured by enrichment of tree stands by Q. rubra. The estimated macronutrient pools were much higher for V. myrtillus than V. vitis-idaea in all forest types studied. They were lower in forests enriched with Q. rubra, both ancient (up to 25.5% for bilberry and 99.9% for lingonberry) and recent (46.9% and 99.9%, respectively), as well as in recent pine forest (46.6% and 81.1%, respectively) than in ancient pine forest. Higher K and S pools (39.3% and 6.5%, respectively) noted for bilberry in an ancient forest with Q. rubra were exceptions. Despite more effective accumulations of elements at the species level, macronutrient pools of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea decreased significantly in the presence of introduced Q. rubra due to negative impacts of this broadleaved tree on bilberry and lingonberry cover and biomass. Therefore, the limitation of alien Q. rubra planting in sites of mesic pine forest with the abundant occurrence of V. myrtillus and/or V. vitis-idaea is recommended.

Graphic abstract

     

The variation of tree-ring widths of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) affected by air pollution

Using eight populations of Scots pine growing in foothills of the Sudetes (southern Poland) as an example, the character and causes of annual ring variation in 1900–1999 were studied. The climate had a short-term effect on radial growth during the whole period investigated. A long-term decrease of radial growth occurred after 1960, but only in some localities. It was probably caused by non-climatic factors, most likely by industrial pollution. The decline of trees during that period is mainly evidenced by a high variation of width of annual rings, a small similarity of chronologies of annual ring widths, and a lack of signal years. After 1990, the tree recovery process was evident. It was most intensive in localities where the earlier stress was the most severe. Then, trees started to produce wide annual rings, homogeneity of the growth reaction increased, and the signal years began to occur.     

Fungi occurring on forests injured by air pollutants in the Upper Silesia and Cracow industrial regions. X. Mycoflora of dying young trees of Alnus incana

The results of a 10-year study on the mortality of Alnus incana in the Upper Silesia industrial region (Poland) are presented in this paper. Fungi which infected the trees at different stages of the disease were identified. The most common were: Cryptospora suffusa, Hypoxylon fuscum, Peniophora cinerea, P. erikssonii, Pezicula cinnamomea, Tympanis alnea, and Valsa diatrypa.     

Studies on the population frequency of insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of the sycamore maple<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Acer pseudoplatanus</Emphasis> L. in southern Poland

Species composition of galls on the leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus L. was analysed in 2002 in three localities: the Wolski Forest, near an urban agglomeration of Kraków, the Ojców National Park and the Andrychów Forest District. A total of 12,013 galls were found. The galls were caused by six insect or mite species. The species composition of the galls was identical in the three localities. Artacris cephaloneus (Nalepa) was the most abundant species. The index of occurrence frequency and Agrells index of species co-occurrence were calculated. The index of occurrence frequency (F) value was highest in the case of A. cephaloneus (1.277) and the lowest value, i.e. 0.00005—both from the Wolski Forest. The highest value for Agrells index of species co-occurrence, i.e. 0.900, was found in the case of Eriophyes pseudoplatani Corti and Drisina glutinosa Giard (Ojców National Park), and the lowest,0.050, for D. glutinosa and Coptophylla gymnaspis (Nalepa) (Wolski Forest; Andrychów FD) and for D. glutinosa and Dasineura irregularis (Bremi) (Andrychów FD).     

Stress Reactivity and Coping in Horse Adaptation to Environment

“Coping” or “coping strategy”, defined as the behavioral and physiological efforts of animal to master the situation, is more and more in interest of researchers dealing with applied animal behavior and welfare. Knowledge about “coping styles” may be helpful in understanding individual adaptive capacity to stressful events. At least two types of animal coping strategy (or coping style) can be involved: (1) active copers (proactive) and (2) passive copers (reactive). The individual differences in stress response to threatening situations have been found in horses, and these animals can show specific coping strategies such as other species. This article reviews the set of behavioral, psychoneuroendocrine, and psychoneuroimmune mechanisms involved in animal adaptation to environmental challenges and discusses the relationship between behavioral and physiological factors involved in stress response of the horse. Exploring coping strategies in horses and in any captive animal can be successful when a multidimensional approach including behavioral, neural, hormonal, and hematological measures is considered. Knowledge on stress coping styles can provide valuable information to predict the behavior of individuals during response to specific challenging situations. Moreover, assessing individual differences in adaptation strategies can be useful in horse selection to different exploitation tasks and reproduction.     

The Effect of Different Physical Exercise on Plasma Leptin,Cortisol, and Some Energetic Parameters Concentrations in Purebred Arabian Horses

Leptin is a hormone that coordinates food intake, energy expenditure, and metabolic rate; it is, however, unknown how exercise influences plasma leptin concentration in horses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the exercise-induced changes in plasma leptin concentration in purebred Arabian horses competing in races and endurance rides. A total number of 26 horses (12 purebred Arabian racehorses aged 3–5 years and 14 endurance horses aged 7–14 years) were studied during performing routine physical exercise. From each horse, blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after the exercise session. Concentrations of plasma leptin, cortisol, lactic acid, uric acid, triacylglycerols, glycerol and free fatty acids were determined. Exercise-induced increase in cortisol and free fatty acid values were higher in endurance horses than in racehorses. Neither endurance nor race exercises influenced the plasma leptin concentration. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of different types of exercise on leptin synthesis and secretion in horses.