Heavy metal concentration in coat hair and hoof horn in stabled and reserve Polish Konik horses.

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.

The influence of different factors on selenium levels in dairy cow herds in the central-eastern region of Poland.

Selenium has been recognised as a basic bioelement that determines normal development and health of animals and humans alike. Studies of many authors revealed the influence of selenium deficiency on immunity, health, reproduction and production of dairy cows. Selenium deficiency have been reported in a number of countries, for example in different regions of Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the Se levels in blood serum of dairy cows in the Lublin region. In the periods: autumn 2003, winter 2003 and autumn 2004 selenium concentrations were investigated in serum samples from 180 dairy cows. The samples were obtained from 11 farms. The selenium concentrations were estimated with the ASA method. The monitoring studies have found that Se serum levels are dependent on season of the year, physiological period, maintenance systems and methods of feeding. Mean selenium serum levels observed in the study were between 0.21-0.92 micromol/l, especially (micromol/l): lactation 0.74 +/- 0.13, drying-off period 0.67 +/- 0.15, autumn 2003 0.38 +/- 0.17, winter 2003 0.48 +/- 0.16, autumn 2004 0.69 +/- 0.18. These results suggest that selenium should be supplemented, especially in high-producing dairy cow herds.

[Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content in vegetables, gooseberry fruit and soil from gardening plots of Lublin]. / Zawartosc olowiu, kadmu, miedzi i cynku w warzywach, owocach agrestu oraz glebie ogrodów dzialkowych Lublina.

Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc contents in vegetables, fruits of gooseberries and in soil of Lublin gardening plots "Pionier" and "Podzamcze" both situated along heavy traffic streets, and "Pionier" additional to the close vicinity of automobile factory were determined by atomic absorption spectrophofometry. Statistical analysis of the results respected the streets or factory distances from the gardening plots, and the species of the vegetables. Levels of the determined elements in the most of the samples were lower than permitted by the Ministry of Health Regulation established in 1993. According to that Regulation a slight exceeding of zinc content in the red beetroots and in the overground parts of the leak were found. Lead content in the parsley root and in the dill was close to the tolerance limit. Both lead and cadmium of the soil of "Podzamcze" gardening plot significantly exceeded the levels considered as tolerable for unpolluted grounds, whereas the soil of "Pionier" contained lead close to limit of tolerance level.