Clinically healthy Polish Holstein-Friesian calves were divided into two groups: a control group (12 individuals) and an experimental group (12 individuals). The experimental group calves received a mixture of 20% water herbal extracts prepared from Urtica dioica, Hb., Hypericum perforatum, Hb., Melissa officinalis, Fol., Chamomillae recutita Anth., Calendula officinalis, Flos, and Plantago lanceolata, Fol. The mixture was given from the 2 nd to 14 th week of their life. Control calves received no addition of herbal extracts to their diet. Red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value, and mean corpuscular volume were determined in the 4 th , 9 th , and 14 th week of the experiment. The beneficial effect of the herbal mixture on the level of the examined haematological parameters was demonstrated in all tested weeks. In the calves from experimental group, a significantly higher red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, and corpuscular volume, and lower white blood cell count were found. There were no statistically significant differences in the haematocrit values between both groups.

The aim of the study was to analyse the fatty acid profile of selected tissues of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos L.), in relation to where they were obtained and their sex, with regard to the human diet. The study was carried out on material obtained from mallard ducks from two study areas: the Siedlce hunting district and the Leszno hunting district. The research material was the breast and leg muscles of 28 mallards. The samples were frozen and stored at −20 °C. The fatty acid profiles in the biological samples were determined by selected ion recording (SIR). The results showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower average levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and significantly higher (p < 0.05) average levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n−6 PUFAs, and n−3 PUFAs in the breast muscles of the mallards obtained in the Siedlce hunting district. This in conjunction with the higher (p < 0.05) hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic index (h/H) in the leg muscles and lower (p < 0.05) atherogenic and thrombogenic indices (AI and TI) in the leg and breast muscles of mallards in the Siedlce hunting district indicate the higher health-promoting value of the meat of ducks from this region. The average n−6/n−3 PUFA ratio in the breast muscles was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in mallards obtained in the Leszno hunting district. Males of the species had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher average n−6/n−3 PUFA ratio in the breast muscles than females. The PUFA/SFA ratio was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the leg muscles of the female mallards than in the males.

The present study was aimed at evaluating fluorine contamination of the eggs of free-ranging laying hens in Northern Poland, in the Central Pomerania region, in relation to the distance from the emission sources. Fluorine levels in the soil, feed, and the shells, and contents of the eggs were assayed with the potentiometric method using an ion-selective electrode from ORION Ion Meter. The sampled eggs were subjected to pressure microwave digestion with the use of a Milestone MLS-1200 microwave. All the samples were digested in 5 ml of supra-pure grade concentrated HNO 3 from Merck. The mean level of fluorine in the studied soils ranged from 3.79 mg kg −1 of DM in typical river alluvial soil to 126.19 mg kg −1 of DM in lessive soil. The study revealed an average fluorine content in the feeds administered to the hens on the farms in zone 1 (17.29 mg kg −1 of DM), it being 3.5 times higher than the corresponding content in zone 2 (4.92 mg kg −1 of DM). A statistically significantly higher mean fluorine level was identified in the eggshells of hens on zone 1 farms, located closer to the pollution emission sources (17.52 mg kg −1 of DM), the value being more than 3fold higher than that in zone 2 (5.47 mg kg −1 of DM). The present study revealed an almost twice as high fluorine mean content in the hen eggs collected on farms in zone 1 (1.488 mg kg −1 of DM) compared with the hen egg contents in the experimental zone 2 (0.640 mg kg −1 of DM), the difference being statistically significant.

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The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in goats kept on organic (n = 76) and conventional farms (n = 82). In general, a higher prevalence of some gastrointestinal parasitic infections was found in the conventional farms compared to the organic farms: the mean prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 85.4% in conventional farms and 77.6% in organic farms, that of Fasciola hepatica was 6.10% in conventional farms and 2.63% in organic farms, and that of Moniezia expansa was 31.7% and 17.1%, in conventional and organic farms, respectively. Both farm types demonstrated a similar mean prevalence of nematodes (80.3 vs. 84.2%). Conventional farms demonstrated a significantly higher intensity of infection with E. arloingi, Haemonchus spp., Nematodirus spp. and Moniezia expansa compared to organic farms. They also demonstrated a higher intensity of infection with Eimeria spp. than organic farms. The prophylactic programs used to combat parasitic infections in both types of farms appear ineffective and require improvement. There is a need for goat herds to be covered by ongoing parasitological monitoring. It is also recommended that keepers employ rotational or intensive rotational grazing methods and take care to ensure the hygiene of animal quarters and livestock rooms.