The aim of the study was to examine the influence of water soluble vitamins such as: thiamin, ribolflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin C, folic acid, panthotenic acid, nicotine acid, biotin and cholin on the level of amino acids in wall intestine, liver and blood serum in chickens. Tests were done on 160 alive broiler chicken, breed Hybro G (age 2-4 months). The absorption of amino acids was determined by the method of perfused loops of small intestine. Saline including amino acids such as: L-threonine, L-valine, L-methionine, L-lysine, L-histidine, L-phenylalanine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and water soluble vitamins in dose 100mg/l was passed through the loops. Next, level of amino acids was measured by the method of liquid chromatography. The experiment demonstrated, that water soluble vitamins undoubtedly influenced exogenous amino acid on absorption from entrails in chickens. In the wall intestine the highest level was observed after application vitamin B₆, the least reaction was after biotin, folic acid and panthotenic acid. All amino acids reacted on application vitamins in the liver. In the blood serum was observed high value amino acids after application vitamins use together and after vitamin B₆, panthotenic acid and biotin.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the race training of young trotters on their heart rates (HR) and the levels of chosen blood parameters. 39 Standardbred horses 1.5 – 6 years old divided into three age groups were investigated. During the research, horses trotted on the distance of 15 km with the mean speed of 4.0 – 6.2 m·s^-1. Three jugular venous blood samples were taken for each horse: at rest, just after the end of training session and 30 minutes later. Hemoglobin (Hb) and lactic acid (LA) blood concentrations were determined as well as plasma level of glucose (Glc), glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), uric acid (UA), total plasma proteins (tPP) and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Speed and HR during the training session were recorded by a Polar speed and heart-rate telemeters. In the group of the youngest horses the lowest blood Hb concentration and the highest plasma Glc level were determined at rest. In this group, the highest increase of tPP and LDH was observed during the training sessions. Moreover, the values of Hb, tPP and LDH remained elevated after exercise. In groups of two-year-old and older trotters, the resting blood Hb level was higher than in the group of yearlings. Plasma glycerol and FFA values determined after exercise in three-year-old and older horses were lover than in groups of two-year-old and younger foals. The applied training process had a beneficial influence on the fitness of the investigated horses.

It is widely agreed that only the severe and prolonged exposure to stressors, connected with significant and long–term increment in plasma cortisol concentration can suppress reproduction in female pigs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to check the effect of acute stress-like concentrations of cortisol on oestrogens (17β-oestradiol – E-2, oestrone – E-1) and progesterone (P-4) secretion by porcine granulosa cells isolated from 6-7 mm in diameter ovarian follicles. The granulosa cells were cultured in serum free – DMEM/F 12 medium (1:1) supplemented with testosterone (10^-7 M/l) and gentamicin (20 μg/ml) without cortisol (control) or with 2,8 × 10^-7, 10^-6, 10^-5 and 10^-4 mM/l of cortisol, respectively. After 6 and 12 h of the culture, medium was collected to analyse the concentration of secreted E-2, E-1 and P-4 by HPLC method. Oestrogen and progesterone secretion was expressed as a quantity of hormone, which was released to 1 ml of culture medium by about 5 × 10⁵ granulosa cells during 6 and 12 h, respectively. The proliferation of cells was estimated using MTT test. The obtained results show that cortisol, independently of the used concentration (2.8 × 10^-7 – 2.8 × 10^-4 M/l) caused the significant (P≤0.05) suppression in E-2 and E-1 secretion from porcine granulosa cells in vitro, both after 6 and 12 h of culture. Indeed, the effect of cortisol on progesterone secretion from porcine granulosa cells was dependent on the used dose. Contrary to oestrogens, the increment in P-4 secretion under the influence of 2.8 × 10^-7 – 2.8 × 10^-5 M/l of cortisol was observed. There was found very high positive correlation between P-4 and cortisol dose in this range (r=0.81 after 6h, r=0.72 after 12 h). However, the highest dose of cortisol (2.8 x 10^-4 M/l) caused the drop in P-4 secretion (23.45 ± 1.18 pg/ml/5 × 10⁵ granulosa cells/12 h) in comparison to control (40.63 ± 2.85 pg/ml/5 × 10⁵ granulosa cells/12 h).

The mixture of plant extracts (Herbiplant CS) in amount of 125 and 500 mg/kg was added to feed mixtures of starter, grower and finisher type for fatteners from 20 to 100 kg of body weight. The research material were 27 fatteners divided into 3 groups, 9 individuals in each group. After 85 days of fattening, the blood from jugular vein was collected, and biochemical indices as well as macro and microelements concentration was determined. Herbiplant CS did not influence the crude protein, albumin and urea level in blood serum, while it significantly influenced the increase in glucose level that may profitably influence the energy balance. Applied phytopreparation did not influence the enzymatic (ATP, ALT and GGT), but had a beneficial effect on lipid balance, what was confirmed in lowered level of total cholesterol and its LDL fraction. The level of macroelements (Ca, P, Na, K, Cl) in blood serum was not dependent on used phytopreparation, however, the supplement significantly influence the increase in copper and zinc level in blood serum. No significant differences in the level of analysed parameters depending on used Herbiplant CS doses in mixtures for fatteners (125 and 500 mg/kg) were observed.

In pedegree Charolaise heifers, reared in suckler herd on grasslands, without buildings, and supplemented with bulk feeds (maize silage and grain and papilionaceae mixture silage and straw) polymorphism of miostatin (MSTN) and somatotropin (bGH) was identified. Frequencies of genotypes were as follow: bGH-LL 0,417, bGH-LV 0,517, bGH -VV 0,066 and MSTN-AA 0,817, MSTN-AB 0,183, MSTN-BB 0,00, while frequencies of alleles were consequently: bGH-L 0,765 and bGH-V 0,325, MSTN-A 0,908 and MSTN-B 0,092. The highest body weight at birth and at age of 7 months characte-rized bGH-VV heifers (57,3 kg and 300,6 kg, respectively) –significant superiority in comparison to other genotypes. There were no relations found between MSTN genotypes and body growth traits. Statistically significant differences were stated in body weight due to sire group – the highest body weight of progeny was found for Dimas sire daughters while the lowest for Calin sire daughters (respectively: 51,3 vs 39,6 kg and 295,5 vs 275,2 kg; P≤ 0,01).

Abstract: Preferences of cattle in resting position were studied. Twenty nine laying positions were distinguished. Observations of laying – resting positions of suckler–cows and calves were performed in large herd of cattle free range grazing natural grasslands of National Park “Warta Mouth” during summer time in temperate climate. The most common positions observed were analyzed statistically due to cattle genotype and weather conditions (sunny, moderate and rainy). More beef type cows preferred to have hind legs straight why hybrids (dairy x beef genotypes) used to have all 4 legs bent while resting. Within pure beef genotypes analyzed (Hereford, Limousine, Simmental) Hereford cows preferred to have 4 legs bent while Limousine ones preferred hind legs to be straighten. There was no genotype effect observed on resting positions of calves. Type of weather affected significantly laying positions of cattle. Animals used to have all 4 legs bent next to trunk during rainy weather while legs were kept straight to maximize body surface exposure during sunny weather in temperate climate. Results may be used as reference when welfare issues or designing space area for resting cattle are discussed.

A total of 10 tongues of the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes fulva) were used in this study. Material came from animals of both sexes and was collected after they were slaughtered. Tissues collected from the ventral surface of the apex and the lateral surfaces of the body of the tongue were examined under a light microscope. Additionally morphometric analysis of the thickness of the epithelium was performed. As a result of the performed observations it was found that the surface of the mucous membrane on the apex of the tongue is plicated, while on the body of the tongue it is smooth. The epithelium covering the ventral surface of the apex and the lateral surfaces of the body of the tongue in the silver fox is nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The epithelium formed numerous streaks of various length, which grew into the connective tissue. The epithelium covering the ventral surface of the apex of the tongue was thicker than on the lateral surfaces of the body of the tongue. No statistical differences were found for the analyzed traits. Lamina propria of the mucosa formed numerous connective tissue papillae, which were distributed among the epithelial streaks. The elastic fibers were arranged primarily transversely to the long axis of the tongue.

The first pieces of information on the breeding of Hucul horses date back to the times of the Austrian monarchy in the mid-1800. Hucul horses are at present bred in Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Ukraine. The biggest amount of breeding material has been collected in Poland, mainly in state farms. These horses, according to the FAO recommendations on the Preservation of Genetic Resources of Farm Animals, were classified as a vanishing breed and they were included in the conservative breeding program.

Article describes in details the history of respiratory tract bronchoscopy from the beggining (Artistotle`s time) up to now. The authors` intention was to present readers the first steps in exploration of respiratory tract in human and animals and evolution of tools used in that examination.