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The aim of the study was to determine the mechanical and geometric properties as well as bone tissue density of long bones in primiparous and multiparous dams of minks supplemented with β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and/or 2-oxoketoglutarate (2-Ox) during gestation. Powdered 2-Ox was given at the daily dosage of 0.4 g/kg b.w. separately or simultaneously with HMB, which was administered at the daily dosage of 0.02 g/kg b.w. The study demonstrates for the first time that administration of 2-Ox and/or HMB to dams markedly influences bone tissue density and the mechanical and geometrical properties of mother`s bones in minks. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the supplementation was more effective in the thoracic limb, which was comprehensively used in contrast to the pelvic limb. The mechanical parameters and bone tissue density significantly increased in the humerus in multiparous minks. Only such diet may provide satisfactory production results in the animals. Nutritional deficiencies occurring during pregnancies may trigger body`s own reserves to cover the bone mass increase in developing foetuses and support milk production. This can prevent regeneration of dams' organisms, which negatively affects their reproductive performance. 2-Ox or HMB may be regarded as a protective metabolite when administered orally to minks, counteracting the negative influences of pregnancy and lactation periods on bones condition. Both simultaneous treatment with 2-Ox and HMB and their separate administration were equally effective.

SummaryThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the diet, mother type and sex of the offspring on the mechanical and geometric parameters of long bones as well as bone tissue density in minks. Primiparous and multiparous dams were supplemented with β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (a metabolite of leucine, at the daily dosage of 0.02 g/kg of body weight) and/or 2-oxoglutaric acid (a precursor of glutamine, at the daily dosage of 0.4 g/kg of body weight) during gestation. The diet did not influence bone tissue density and the length of the humerus. An increase in the length of the femur was noted in male offspring delivered by multiparous dams. The diet resulted in an increase in the weight of the humerus in males from multiparous dams and a decrease in offspring from primiparous dams. Heavier femora were noted in male offspring delivered by both types of dams. The maximum elastic strength of the humerus was higher in the offspring delivered by multiparous than primiparous dams, irrespective of the offspring sex. The diet resulted in reduction in the ultimate strength of the femur in the male offspring delivered by primiparous dams. Only females born by multiparous dams, irrespective of the diet, showed a significant increase in the cross-sectional area of the humerus, while a significant decline was noted in males delivered by multiparous dams and in all the offspring delivered by primiparous dams. An increase in the cross-sectional area of the femur was noted in the offspring delivered by multiparous dams, while reduction was observed in the offspring delivered by primiparous dams.These results have shown for the first time that the presence of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate or 2-oxoglutaric acid in the diet of pregnant primiparous or multiparous dams unambiguously affects the geometry and mechanical properties of offspring's long bones. K E Y W O R D Sβ-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate, 2-oxoglutaric acid, bone, mink

Forensic genetics is a field that has become subject to increasing interest in recent years. Both the technology and the markers used for forensic purposes have changed since the 1980s. The minisatellite sequences used in the famous Pitchfork case introduced genetics to the forensic sciences. Minisatellite sequences have now been replaced by more sensitive microsatellite markers, which have become the basis for the creation of genetic profile databases. Modern molecular methods also exploit single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are often the only way to identify degraded DNA samples. The same type of variation is taken into consideration in attempting to establish the ethnicity of a perpetrator and to determine phenotypic traits such as the eye or hair colour of the individual who is the source of the genetic material. This paper contains a review of the techniques and molecular markers used in human and animal forensic genetics, and also presents the potential trends in forensic genetics such as phenotyping.