Katarzyna Czyż

• PhD
• Professor (Associate) at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important factor contributing to the prevention and cure of numerous diseases, and therefore their supplementation with diet is a significant issue. There are numerous supplements on the market containing omega-3 acids, of both plant and animal origin. In our study, we compared an effect of linseed oil, ethyl esters of li...

Sheep’s wool is a renewable, constantly growing resource, so it needs to be developed. Originally, it was mostly used in the textile industry, but the replacement by other materials resulted for some breeds in the deterioration of its quality and the need to look for alternative uses. Today, thanks to its properties, in addition to its traditional...

Although fibers of animal origin make up only a small part of the global textile fiber industry, sheep’s wool and also fibers of other species like alpaca, due to their unique properties, are an important and appreciated part of this industry. Our study involves the analysis of mechanical and physical properties of fibers derived from Huacaya alpac...

Introduction: Radiotherapy is an effective method of treating cancer and affects 50% of patients. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a modernized method of classical radiation used in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. Treatment with intent to preserve the larynx is not always safe or complication-free. The microbiome may significantly infl...

Demand for alpaca fiber is subject to an increase, which is due to its beneficial properties. The study aimed to determine the differences in physical and mechanical properties, as well as heat insulation properties of alpaca fibers differing in color. The research material consisted of Huacaya alpaca fiber samples of white (W), light fawn (LF), me...

Dyslipidemia is a serious condition affecting an increasing number of people, and thus, preventive measures, including supplementation, are being developed. We aimed to compare the effect of linseed oil, its ethyl esters and fish oil supplementation on the serum lipid profiles of rats fed a high-fat diet. Wistar rats were divided into nine groups....

An attempt to evaluate aluminum toxicity to living organisms was undertaken in the study. A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine aluminum bioaccumulation and toxicity in Chironomus and Chaoborus larvae and in Cyprinus carpio L. roe depending on aluminum concentration in water reflecting natural chemical composition. Water was examined f...

The study aimed to examine an effect of the preparation based on nanosilver suspension on mineral carrier on poultry litter microbiological profile. The study was conducted on Ross 308 broiler chickens. Three groups were formed, 84 birds in each. Preparation used in the study was composed of aqueous nanosilver suspension sprayed on mineral sorbent....

Nanosilver has a wide range of applications in many industries, including animal production. Its beneficial effects resulting from, among others, antibacterial properties are known; however, some concerns remain related to safety of its use and possible accumulation in the environment and all its components. This study aimed to analyze the content...

A laboratory experiment was performed to find out the potential bioaccumulation of metals (Al, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn) in aquatic plants acting as natural biosorbents in the environment depending on the variation of water pH. Two plants were selected for the study: branched bur-reed—Sparganium erectum L., as a representative of emergent plants; and...

Sediments from three rivers in south-western Poland and their tributaries were used in a laboratory experiment on metal (Al, Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn) release. Metal migration was studied under different pH (pH 3.93, pH 7.29, pH 9.59) during 96 h. Al concentration was the highest in Bystrzyca and lowest in Strzegomka; other metal concentrations were...

Simple Summary Fatty acids from the omega-3 family play an important role in both human and animal organisms, but they are not synthesized in the body and must be provided with diet. This study examined an effect of ethyl esters of linseed oil rich in alpha-linolenic acid supplemented to healthy beagle dogs on the fatty acid profile of their blood...

Simple Summary Evaluation of rabbit hematology parameters is important in terms of assessing the physiological state of animal organisms. However, most reference ranges originate from experimental laboratory studies. Therefore, rabbit hematology results are difficult to interpret. The aim of the study was to show the impact of different factors: en...

A four-year research study was conducted on aquatic plants (reed canary grass) growing in the beds of three rivers and their tributaries in Lower Silesia, Poland. Metal contents (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) were determined in plant samples, metal accumulation in water (BCFw) and sediment (BCFB), Metal Pollution Index (MPI) and Enrichment Factor (EF...

When humans began interfering with the environment to produce food, some free-ranging animal species adapted to live on typical farmland, sometimes choosing it as their main habitat. They use it on the basis of symbiosis or as a pest. The animals affect farms in different ways, and the same concerns farms affecting animals. There are negative, from...

Simple Summary Rabbit furs are a valuable material used in the fur industry. Many studies show beneficial effects of omega-3 acids supplementation on the skin and coat of animals. The aim of the study was to show the impact of environmental conditions and dietary supplementation with ethyl esters of linseed oil on the quality of the rabbit hair coa...

Background During parturition, animals exhibit variation in hormone levels, homeostasis disturbance and dysfunction of the immune system as a result of stress. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is responsible for the occurrence of oxidative stress in the cells. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, but it is also involved in the metabolism of prot...

This study aimed to determine aluminum levels in reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea L.) in rivers in southwestern Poland—Bystrzyca, Strzegomka, and Nysa Szalona, together with their tributaries. The samples were collected in spring and autumn 2015–2018. The highest amounts of aluminum were recorded in the Nysa Szalona, and the lowest in the Bys...

The study was carried out on sediments collected from three rivers: Nysa Szalona, Strzegomka and Bystrzyca flowing in southwestern Poland. The content of Al in sediments and in bottom water was determined in relation to chemical conditions. The study was carried out in a four-year cycle, during spring and autumn. The aim of the study was to determi...

In this study, we used 10 healthy sheep, which gave birth to healthy twins. Stool samples were collected from mothers and their ofspring 3 times during the study (0, 28 and 56 day postpartum). Milk samples were taken from the mothers at the same time. RT PCR analysis of faeces and milk was performed in order to assess the level of bacteria from the...

Simple Summary The skin is one of the largest surface organs for animals. The microbiome of the skin plays an important role in protecting the host. The study showed that the environment in which the animals lived and their size could affect the bacterial composition of their skin. Additionally, individual differences between the bacterial composit...

Assessment of the level of selected bacterial phyla in two breeds of sheep

Simple Summary The ruminant microbiome is considered a specific ecosystem found within the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced intestinal microbiota is important not only for maintaining gut homeostasis, but also for regulating immune function and has a direct impact on the gut–brain axis. Factors, such as pregnancy, age, or genetics, can influence...

The study included water from the rivers (Nysa Szalona, Bystrzyca, Strzegomka and their tributaries) supplying dam reservoirs. An assessment of water contamination with aluminum and heavy metals was made using the MPI (Metal Pollution Index) contamination index considering the hydrochemical parameters. The study was conducted in a 4-year cycle, twi...

Background The microbiome of the digestive tract of ruminants contains microbial ecosystem that is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. The subject of this study concerns the influence of selected genetic factors, such as species of animals and “host” individual differences on the digestive tract microbiome composition. The results s...

This study aims to evaluate an effect of pig diet supplementation with ethyl esters derived from linseed oil with a high content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on the fatty acids profile of meat. The study was conducted on Polish Landrace fatteners supplemented for a period of 7 weeks (control and experimental groups of 8 animals each, 16 in total)....

The microbiome of animals, both in the digestive tract and in the skin, plays an important role in protecting the host. The skin is one of the largest surface organs for animals; therefore, the destabilization of the microbiota on its surface can increase the risk of diseases that may adversely affect animals’ health and production rates, including...

Simple Summary The microbiome of the digestive system of both animals and humans is affected by many factors including diet, environment, age, physical condition, and genetic factors, as well as the “host effect”. Physical effort, as a factor influencing the physiological state of an animal, can affect the microbial composition of the digestive sys...

An assessment of the environmental quality of the three rivers of Pomerania - Czerwona, Grabowa and Wieprza - was carried out in the years 2008-2013 on the basis of water and aquatic plants analyses performed in summer along the entire length of the river. The basic chemical composition of water, metals content in water and plants was determined, a...

Fatty acids from the omega-3 family are an important element of both human and animal diets. Their activity involves a range of functions for the functioning of a whole organism, and their presence in animal diets can be considered as a means for animal origin product enrichment for human benefit or as compounds profitable for an animal's health st...

Simple Summary The microbiome plays an important role in the digestive system of ruminants. It affects the health status of animals and their development and production rates. However, its composition may be influenced by factors such as diet, age, gender, and health condition. The study was conducted on three breeds of sheep that were kept in one...

Simple Summary Nowadays, both consumers and producers are paying increasing attention to the health-promoting properties of food (functional food). Wide and multi-directional pro-healthy effects are shown by long-chain unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (mainly eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic (DHA) ones) and conjugated linoleic acid dienes...

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field of science, and an increasing number of nanoproducts, including nanometals, can be found on the market. Various nanometals and the products that are manufactured based on them can help to fight bacteria and fungi, but they can also penetrate organisms and accumulate in them. This study aimed to compare the...

The study was conducted on the Słup reservoir and the Nysa Szalona river (Poland). The material was benthic water and sediments. The aim of the study was to evaluate accumulation of Ca, Mg, Na and K in the sediments. The assessment of studied elements accumulation was based on calculations of the cumulation factor in the sediment. On this basis, an...

Simple Summary Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has attracted significant interest due to its health-related properties. The use of isomerized poppy-seed oil (IPO) enriched with CLA in cow and sheep feed reduced the fat content in milk and favorably modified the fatty acid profile. The content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in milk fat, especially m...

Objective: Since the reproductive performance of sows can be affected by a number of factors, the study aimed to use the body condition score (BCS) method to analyze some of them, such as breed, parity, and an evaluation of female's condition. Methods: The study was conducted on gilts and sows of two breeds: Polish Landrace (PL) and Polish Large...

Simple Summary One of the factors strongly affecting the profitability of animals breeding is their reproductive performance. The measurement of gilts and sows’ fatness and muscularity levels can be a useful tool in forecasting their future reproductive parameters, and thus possible selection with respect to these parameters, which is a significant...

Simple Summary Proper cooperation between digestive system microbiota and the host is an important issue in maintaining proper health condition, and—in the case of farm animals—production indices. In the case of pigs, microbiota significantly affect production parameters such as meat quality, growth rate or improvement of immune response to infecti...

This review aims to explain the influence and characterization of the microbiome in the ruminant digestive system by presenting the knowledge collected so far. The knowledge presented in this work is focused on the main factors affecting the microbiome and the main dependencies that have been found in it so far. The microbiome in the rumen is the f...

Textile industry is one of the most important branches of the economy of many countries in the world and the importance of wool is still huge. Due to the unique properties of natural animal fibers and their positive effect on the human organism, the authors decided to evaluate and compare the quality of fibers and yarn coming from three animal spec...

The production of clothing in recent years is mainly based on synthetic materials. Synthetics such as polyacrylonitrile fiber (PAN) significantly reduce the costs of clothing production. PAN fiber requires considerably more water than natural fibers in the treatment process, which has a negative impact on the environment. This is quite different in...

Applications of nanotechnologies in different sectors and everyday items are very promising and their popularity continues to grow. The number of products containing nanoparticles makes environmental exposure to nanoparticles inevitable. The current understanding of the relationships between nanoparticles and the environment is inadequate despite t...

In the textile industry, in order to reduce costs, synthetic materials such as poliacrylonitryl are used. As petroleum products, they require much more water than the processing of natural fibers, which adversely affects the environment, and their utilization requires large financial outlays. In order to detect the quality differences between mater...

In 1902, mouflons were brought to the area of the Sudetenland, and for 100 years they occur in the Książański Landscape Park near Wałbrzych. The size of the herd normalized in the 80s of the twentieth century and from then on it ranges between 100 and 120 individuals. The herd in 2017 consisted of 120 pieces. In order to determine the quantitative...

The study aimed to examine an effect of the preparation based on nanosilver suspension on mineral carrier on poultry litter microbiological profile. The study was conducted on Ross 308 broiler chickens. Three groups were formed, 28 birds in each. Birds were maintained on straw-sawdust litter, the groups were differentiated due to preparation appli...

The aim of the study was to determine an effect of the additive in the form of ethyl esters of linseed oil on the content of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in serum and red blood cells membranes of healthy dogs. Eight healthy adult beagle dogs took part in the experiment lasting 16 weeks. The experiment was divided into two 8-week periods. In the...

BARF DIET – BENEFITS AND RISKS Recently, dog owners are increasingly interested in “natural” diets for animals. One of these diets is the BARF system. It is based on giving dogs mainly raw products, where the majority is raw meat with bones, followed by offal and additives in the form of animal products and vegetables and fruits. Unfortunately, al...

In recent years, the test method has become more and more popular by defi ning the electrical characteristics of various materials. The test is based on the difference in characteristic of the material in the electromagnetic fi eld, which is described by the level of resistance or dielectric properties of the test material. The use of phenomena rel...

The most important nutrients affecting wool production include sulfur amino acids, such as methionine, and minerals, such as zinc, and their deficiency may cause wool production decrease. The aim of this study was to evaluate an effect of zinc and methionine chelate addition on the qualitative characteristics of Merino ewes wool and zinc content in...

The aim of this study was to determine selected characteristics of hair originating from adult females of three primate species: lar gibbon, crested black macaque and common chimpanzee. The research material consisted of 300 hairs collected from the top of the head. The analysis included the length, diameter, strength, breaking load, elongation and...

The aim of the study was to determine the electrical characteristics of wool derived from Polish Olkuska breed lambs. The comparison involved the features of wool both in its natural state and washed. The lambs were bathed on the 1st and 14th days of life. Electrical features were determined on the basis of impedance (Ω) and resistance (Ω) for wool...

Recently, dog owners are increasingly interested in “natural” diets for animals. One of these diets is the BARF system. It is based on giving dogs mainly raw products, where the majority is raw meat with bones, followed by offal and additives in the form of animal products and vegetables and fruits. Unfortunately, along with the positive aspects of...

Tłuszczopot jest nieodzownym składnikiem wełny. W przemyśle chemiczno-kosmetycznym tłuszczopot, znany jako lanolina, jest uznawany za wysokiej jakości surowiec pochodzenia zwierzęcego. Omawiany surowiec zbudowany jest z dwóch frakcji: tłuszczu i potu, wydzielanych przez gruczoły skórne potne i łojowe. Celem pracy było zbadanie wpływu tłuszczopotu i...

Examination of the coat is mainly based on determining the diameter of the hair, breaking strength, heat protection, etc. However, it is possible to determine the quality of the hair coat by testing the electrical characteristics, because this method is characterized by high sensitivity. It defines changes already at the molecular level, which may...

Cardiovascular diseases are described as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in modern societies. Therefore, the importance of cardiovascular diseases prevention is widely reflected in the increasing number of reports on the topic among the key scientific research efforts of the recent period. The importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs)...

An important issue in livestock breeding is the need to optimize their living conditions, which concerns both the reduction of odor-producing emissions and issues related to microbial contamination from livestock production. The aim of the study was to test an effectiveness of nanotechnological - mineral preparations based on aluminosilicates (verm...

The aim of the work was a comparative analysis of milk of Polish Merino sheep in terms of fat content and fatty acids depending on the type of births (single and twin litters). The animal material consisted of a flock of Polish Merino sheep of the wool-meat type, from Mokrzeszów (Agrominor sp. Z. O. O.). The samples were taken from 86 mothers were...

The aim of the work was a comparative analysis of milk of Polish Merino sheep in terms of fat content and fatty acids depending on the typeof births (single and twin litters).

The study of electrical characteristics allows determining changes at the molecular level. Application of this method to determine changes in the coat may in the future accelerate the tests compared to traditional methods. The study was conducted to determine the differences between two types of wool: uniform and mixed. Electrical parameters (imped...

The phenomenon of impedance finds an application in many areas of science; however, no studies relate to wool. Thus, the aim of the study was an examination of an effect of from the presence of suint layer on sheep wool fibers on impedance and heat resistance values. Electrical characteristics (impedance [Ω]) and heat resistance were compared in te...

The aim of the work was a comparative analysis of milk of Polish Merino sheep in terms of fat content and fatty acids depending on the type of births (single and twin litters). The animal material consisted of a flock of Polish Merino sheep of the wool-meat type, from Mokrzeszów (Agrominor sp. Z. O. O.). The samples were taken from 86 mothers were...

The aim of the study was to evaluate herbage dry matter intake in 16 beef cows which grazed continuously on permanent pastures within the “The Warta Estuary” National Park (Poland), using the minimally invasive method based on n -alkanes as markers (C₂₉, C₃₁, C₃₃). Significant differences were observed in the nutrit...

The aim of the study was to characterize the hair coat of domestic cats. The research material consisted of hairs of different fractions collected in winter from female cats with a uniform hair coat colour: white,cream, red, brown and black. The hairs were divided into individual fractions, i.e. underhair, bristle hair and guard hair, and the follo...

The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of the hair coat of the Polish Konik and Hucul pony, focusing on the histological structure and physical parameters of the hair. Hair samples were obtained from 20 mares—10 of each breed. They were collected in winter, from the side of barrel, the mane, the tail, and front and rear fetlock. The hairs...

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are crucial for our health and wellbeing; therefore, they have been widely investigated for their roles in maintaining human health and in disease treatment. Most Western diets include significant amount of saturated and omega-6 fatty acids and insufficient quantity of omega-3; however, the balance between omega-...

The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity and genetic distance between three breeds of dogs: Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD), Chihuahua (Ch) and Caucasian Shepherd Dog (CSD), based on microsatellite sequences commonly used to confirm/exclude dogs’ parentage. The study included 60 dogs (20 dogs per breed) from Czech kennels. One dog was ran...

Amino acids composition of hair coat of alpaca, angora goat and merino sheep.

The effect of administration of lipid complex (LC) on cow milk and cheese characteristics was studied. Lipid complex was elaborated based on grapeseed oil with synthesized conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and Atlantic mackerel oil enriched in n-3 fatty acids. The 4-wk experiment was conducted on 30 Polish Holstein Friesian cows. The experimental grou...

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of the hormonal response of Arctic fox females exposed to two types of stress: short-term and long-term, combined with adaptation to new environmental conditions. Short-term stress (20 min) was investigated in 34 females on farm A in the Wielkopolska province. The testing procedure involved capturin...

A review, with 69 refs., of properties and biol. activity of omega-3 acids produced from linseed oil. An innovative technol. for prodn. of Et esters of polyunsatd. fatty acids was presented.

Mercury bioaccumulation in hair and skin of silver and arctic foxes farmed in typically rural and urbanized regions (Wielkopolskie Voivodship, Poland) was assessed. Hair and skin samples were collected and analyzed for total Hg content using atomic absorption spectrometry. Hairs and skin of foxes farmed in the rural region accumulated higher amount...

Linseed oil and Et esters of the fatty acids from the oil were added (2% or 4%) to a culture of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to study cytotoxicity of the additives for 5 days. Viability, proliferation, morphol., adhesion and architecture of cells were evaluated. The linseed oilderived Et ester showed the highest biological activity...

Tung oil acids (mainly alpha-elostearic acid) were esterified with N-hydroxysuccinimide and then converted to resp. imides in reactions with serine, arginine and aspargine. The reaction products were sepd. by high-performance liq. chromatog. and identified by mass spectroscopy as resp. lipoamino derivatives of alpha-elostearic, linoleic, palmitic,...

Llipoamino acids were synthesizd in reactions of satd. mono-, di-and trienoic fatty acids as well as conjugated li-nolenic acid isomers with arginine, tyrosine, serine, aspar-agine and tryptophan and then studied for antiproliferative properties on cells of human leukemia, lung, breast, colon and ovarian cancer also on mouse fibroblasts. The highes...

Oil formulations contg. active tri-unsatd. fatty acids (α-eleostearic 9c,11t,13c C18:3 and calendula 8t,10t,12c C18:3), di-unsatd. linoleic 9c12c C18:2 acids with isolated double bonds and 9c11c+10t12c C18:2 with coupled double bonds, polyunsatd. acids from ω-3 family (eicosapentaen 5,8,11,13,16,19 C20:5 and docosahexaen 4,7,10,13,16,19 C22:6 acids...

Standard (Oliwin variety) and genetically modified (Type 3) flaxseeds were extd. with CO 2 under supercrit. conditions (30 MPa, 40°C, 3 h) to sep. oils (yield 19%) and extn. residues analyzed then for chem. compn. as well as for dry matter, ash, protein, fat, crude fiber contents. In particular the contents of macro and microelements (Ca, Mg, P, K,...

Et esters Of polyunsatd. omega-3 fatty acids of high alpha-linolenic acid (I) were used as a component of fodder supplements for dairy cows and sheep. The addn. did not result in any changes in basic compn. of milk from the examd. animals, but profitably modified profil of the milk fatty acids. An increase in unsatd. fatty acids content was obsd. i...

A few substances in the human diet have been identified as anticarcinogens but most of them are present in trace concentrations. Lipid preparations enriched in biologically active fatty acids like CLA, VA, EPA and DHA were used for Bioactive Lipid Complexes (BLCs) preparation. The compounds were examined for their antiproliferative activity in vitr...

Based on elaborated or modified procedures, fish oil was enriched in EPA+DHA fatty acids which content increased from 32.4-83.3% (preparation EFO) while milk fat was enriched in t i l CI 8:1 (VA) and c9, tllC18:2(CLA isomer) fatty acids from 1.8 andl.3-16.5 and 12.3%, respectively (preparation EMF). Linoleicacid c9, cl 2C18:2 contained in grapeseed...

The aim of the study was to analyze the hair coat of Daubenton’s bat with respect to its adaptative significance. The main attention was paid to the diversity of hair in that animals hair coat, and also to their histological structure and thickness. Eight kinds of different hair types were observed, differing with their thickness and histological s...

Horse hair samples were collected in 3 regions of Poland and studied for elementary compn. by electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. Substantial higher contents of F, Al and S were obsd. In hair of horses from an Industrial region.

The aim of the study was to determine the dose of a nanotechnological-mineral preparation based on nanosilver and vermiculite for an effective ammonia reduction, and the influence of the preparation on physical properties of litter and air. The preparation used was obtained by spreading water nanosilver suspension on vermiculite with an addition of...