The protective effect of tannic acid and tea solutions on the lungs, hearts and brains of adolescent Wistar rats exposed to Pb and Cd was studied. Metals were administered with feed (7 mg Cd and 50 mg Pb/kg). Two experiments were carried. Experiment 1 aimed to determine the level of tannic acid (TA), most effectively reducing the adverse impact of Pb and Cd on the organs of adolescent rats (aged 5 weeks, weighing 169.3 ± 14.7 g) during combined exposure. TA was administered with drink (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 or 2.5% solutions). In Experiment 2, adolescent rats (aged 6 weeks, weighing 210.6 ± 12.1 g) received an aqueous solutions of black, green, red or white teas. TA and teas had a positive effect on reducing the accumulation of Cd in the organs. The results obtained suggest that long-term continuing administration of TA increases its effectiveness as a chelator for Pb. A 2% TA and white tea solution proved to be the most effective. In the analyzed tissues, increased activity of SOD and CAT was recorded as a result of the use of the TA and teas; thus, they can efficiently prevent the prooxidant effect of toxic metals.

The study aimed to determine the effect of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos administration on selected production performance, slaughter parameters, elemental and mineral content of liver, breast and thigh muscles, and physical, morphometric, strength and bone mineral composition parameters of turkeys. The experiment was conducted on 360 six-week-old Big-6 turkey females, randomly divided into three groups of 120 birds each (six replicates of 20 birds). The turkeys of the control group were fed standard feed without additives; group II was fed with drinking water, a preparation containing L-carnitine at a dose of 0.83 mL/L, while group III was provided mixed feed with 0.5% Bio-Mos. The addition of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos increased body weight at 16 weeks (p = 0.047) and reduced the proportion of fat in the breast muscle (p = 0.029) and liver (p = 0.027). It also modified the content of some minerals in breast muscle, thigh muscle, liver, and bone. Furthermore, the addition of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos increased bone mass and length and modified the value of selected morphometric and strength parameters. The results indicate a positive effect of the applied feed additives on selected rearing indices and carcass quality while improving the elasticity and fracture toughness of the femur. There is a need for further research to determine optimal doses of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos in poultry nutrition.

This paper focuses on cortisol levels in different dog matrices, emphasising the importance of non-invasive sampling for animal welfare and research ethics. The study reviewed over 18,000 articles from various databases, identifying 78 relevant studies that met the inclusion criteria. The findings reveal a growing trend for non-invasive matrices like saliva, hair, and urine, reliably reflecting acute and chronic stress responses while minimising animal stress during sampling. Other sample types, such as blood, are becoming less and less used due to their stress-inducing factors. Such an approach aligns with the growing concerns regarding animals’ welfare during research design. Each sample type contributes a unique perspective, and the matrix choice depends on the research objectives. Rather than one being universally superior or more reliable, they offer complementary data that enhance our understanding of the animal’s stress profile. Cortisol concentrations may be influenced by many factors, from environmental ones, such as living conditions, to genetic and social ones. This analysis focuses on the challenges often met during cortisol concentrations research, such as small sample sizes and lack of official assessment protocols. In the future, researchers should focus on an interdisciplinary approach by incorporating behavioural measures, other physiological indicators, and refining non-invasive methods. Those practices would enhance the understanding of canine welfare evaluation and promote a more ethical approach in clinical and practical settings.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of some factors on the breeding and performance championship results of Hucul horses. The study material were results of the national finals of the breeding and performance championships for Hucul horses held during 2009-2015. These included breeding champion, the Hucul path as well as the endurance-condition tests. The one-way ANOVA and GLM procedure (multivariate ANOVA with interaction effects) were employed to estimate the impact of the analysed variables on the results of the breeding and performance assessment. The current results were, for the Hucul path and endurance-condition tests, significantly lower than for 2013. Individuals that were held in the foothills and mountain areas attained significantly higher scores at the breeding and performance championships. Strong impacts of breeding environment on levels of inbreeding were only observed in cases where the scores in respect of horse movement were at walk (η²_p=0.13; P=0.04), trot (η²_p=0.17; P=0.003) and the results for Hucul path (η²_p=0.18, P=0.002). By far the strongest impact on the assessment for type (η²_p=0.36, P=0.000) and conformation (η²_p=0.32, P=0.006) was exercised by the interaction of age with male line and breeding environment, but in case of rating for movement at walk and trot, it was for the interaction of age with inbreeding and the breeding environment, namely η²_p=0.31, P=0.04; η²_p=0.33, P=0.01 respectively. Dependencies between components of assessment for Hucul horses were correlated at low and medium levels.

The aim of the study was to determine whether experience related to horse age and number of starts in championships influences stress level, measured by salivary cortisol concentration. The study involved 18 clinically healthy Hucul mares who participated in the Polish Championships for Hucul Horses. Evaluation of performance value was carried out in accordance with the guidelines specified in the breeding and genetic resources conservation program for this breed. The championship lasted two days, consisting of conformation evaluation, endurance, and Hucul path. Saliva was collected at baseline (T1), after arena assessment (T2), after endurance (T3), and on the second day after the Hucul path (T4). Cortisol levels increased from an average of 2.73 ± 1.18 ng/mL (T1) to 10.46 ± 8.03 ng/mL after T3. Significantly lower levels of free cortisol were detected in the saliva of the younger mares, up to 9 years old, and mares who participated in only one qualifying path after each element of the championship. The highest levels of cortisol (T3) were found in mares competing repeatedly on the qualifying path. No correlation was found between cortisol levels and the championship results. Participation of mares in the championship was associated with stress, which was reflected in the increase in cortisol levels in saliva.

The aim of the article is to advance knowledge regarding the significant role played by culinary trail projects in promoting foods from ethnic groups residing in Podkarpackie, Poland’s southeastern region. Podkarpackie’s culinary heritage, cultural identities, and the specificity of its cuisine that contribute to the region’s touristic potential are presented. Traditional and regional dishes of Podkarpackie are characterized by their originality and rich flavors, variety, and simplicity of preparation. They contribute to the region’s tourist attractions. Many restaurants in Southeast Poland offer regional dishes, such as kwaśnica, fuczki, and pierogi with various fillings or stuffed cabbage rolls. Culinary trails can be a critical factor in promoting not only the region’s ethnic food but its related culture and art as well.