Foot-and-mouth disease: the question of implementing vaccinal control during an epidemic.

The question of whether or not to use vaccines during an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has interested veterinary administrators for many decades. This review assesses the historical uses, successes and failures of vaccinal control, and addresses the questions of where, how, and when to use vaccination against FMD. Approaching the problem in this manner can aid in identifying which tools are likely to be most effective during an epidemic, and how successful a given contingency plan might be. The infection status (endemic, semi-endemic, disease-free) of a region has historically mapped where global vaccination has been implemented according to the generality: endemic>semi-endemic>disease-free. More specifically, biomodels and cost-benefit analyses can indicate when vaccination should be implemented for optimal disease control. Finally, numerous local epidemiological factors will provide useful insights into how vaccinal controls can be used effectively.

PrP gene polymorphism in sheep breeds in Slovakia and susceptibility to scrapie.

We analyzed the prion protein (PrP) genotype based on the codons 136, 154 and 171 and assigned to five risk groups (R1-R5) in healthy and scrapie-affected sheep in Slovakia. In healthy (asymptomatic) population, 119 Merino, 106 Improved Valachian, 117 Tsigai, and 48 Suffolk breeds were tested. Among the asymptomatic sheep, the low-risk genotypes R1 and R2 were most abundant in Suffolk (94%) and Merino (84%) breeds, followed by Tsigai (58%) and Improved Valachian (40%) breeds. The medium-risk group R3 was most frequent in Improved Valachian (31%) breed, followed by Tsigai (21%), Merino (10%), and Suffolk (6%) breeds. The occurrence of high-risk groups R4 and R5 was none in Suffolk breed, followed by Merino (6%), Tsigai (21%), and Improved Valachian (30%) breeds. Since 2003, altogether 48 cases of scrapie have been confirmed in Tsigai (38), Merino (4), Improved Valachian (2), Improved Valachian x Tsigai (3), and Suffolk (1) breeds. Among sheep with scrapie, Merino breed belonged to the medium-risk group R3. The majority of scrapie-affected Tsigai sheep were classified into high-risk R5 (50%) and medium-risk R3 (42%) groups. We showed an association of scrapie with medium- and high-risk groups of PrP genotype in Slovakia. In particular, the glutamine at position 171 appears to be of major importance for the susceptibility to scrapie.

First confirmed sheep scrapie with A136R154Q171 genotype in Slovakia.

The first confirmed evidence of scrapie in Slovakia was demonstrated in one sheep of the autochthonous Merino breed from the southeastern part of the country. The reported scrapie was diagnosed during compulsory transmissible spongiform encephalitis (TSE) screening of sheep over 9 months of age assigned for consumption. The positive ewe was 5-year-old, which did not show any clinical signs of scrapie. The presence of the proteinase-resistant prion protein (PrP) in brain was proved independently by two laboratories using two different immunochemical screening systems, namely the Prionics Check (Western blot analysis) and Enfer TSE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the genotyping analysis of PrP gene demonstrated the presence of PrP genotype from the high risk group R4. The affected sheep was homozygous for the allele PrP(ARQ) (ARQ/ARQ) coding for alanine (A), arginine (R) and glutamine (Q) at three most relevant codons (136, 154 and 171, respectively). The healthy sister of the positive ewe was heterozygous in the PrP locus and carried alleles ARQ/ARR.

Thyroid volume, urinary and milk iodine in mothers after delivery and their newborns in iodine-replete country.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate thyroid volume (ThV) in primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) mothers (MO) and their newborns (NB) as related to their urinary iodine and thus contribute to the question on the interrelation between iodine intake during the pregnancy and thyroid function in pregnant women. METHODS: The ThV by ultrasound was estimated in a total of 258 MO (108 PP and 150 MP)) and their newborns on the 4th-7th day after delivery. There were 227 in term and 31 preterm (before 37th week) deliveries. In addition, ThV was estimated in double amount of controls (216 vs. PP and 300 vs. MP) in the same age range and nearly age matched which were either nulliparous or did not have delivery within last 12 months. Urinary iodine concentration was estimated in spot urine samples obtained from 75 MO and their NB and milk iodine in 44 milk samples obtained between the 4th and 7th day after delivery. RESULTS: On the first week after delivery, the ThV in all 258 MO was significantly higher than that in 516 of nearly age matched females (mean+S.D.: 14.87+4. 93 ml vs. 10.61+4.02 ml, resp., P<0.01). Although the ThV was lower in 108 PP than in 150 MP women (mean+S.D.: 13.85+4.51 ml vs. 15.59+5. 11 ml, resp., P<0.01), it was still significantly higher (P<0.01) than that in a double amount of nearly age matched controls for PP (9.96+3.15 ml) and MP (11.07+4.48 ml). Mean ThV found in all 258 NB was 0.60+0.21 ml (median 0.5 ml, range 0.2-1.6 ml), the values in those born in term being higher than in preterms (mean+S.D. 0.62+0. 20 ml vs. 0.45+0.12 ml; P<0.01). No correlation was found between the ThV and body weight in NB. However, significant correlation was found between the ThV in all 257 NO and their NB (r=0.292, P<0.05). The mean value of urinary iodine in mothers on the first week after delivery was 9.0+7.2 ug/dl (median 6.1, range 3.0-47.2). The average urinary iodine in primiparous was slightly higher than that in multiparous mothers (10.3 vs. 8.4 ug/dl; not significant). In newborns, the mean urinary iodine in the first week after birth was 11.6+7.6 ug/dl (median 6.5, range 0.745.0). CONCLUSIONS: The finding of about 30 % higher ThV in 258 mothers after delivery than that in double amount of nearly age matched women (P<0.01) who were either nulliparous or did not have delivery at least within last 12 months shows that, in spite of general satisfactory iodine intake in Slovak population, the iodine intake during pregnancy was not satisfactory. This is supported by the data on urinary iodine which was higher in primiparous than in multiparous women.

[Metabolic acidosis in calves with diarrhea and treatment with NaHCO3]. / Metabolická acidóza hnackujúcich teliat a moznosti jej ovplyvnenia pomocou NaHCO3.

Sixteen head of 7 to 10 days old calves of the Black-Pied breed with clinical diagnosis of gastroenteritis acuta were examined for their clinical and laboratory findings before i. v. application of 8.4% solution of NaHCO3 and after it, using the well-known formula: live weight in kg x 0.6 x base deficit. The calves presented clinical symptoms of severe dehydration with profuse diarrhea. Dominant symptoms of the calf dehydration syndrome involved enophthalmos, lying down, lowered surface body temperature and strong exsiccosis of the organism. The values of pH, PCO2, HCO3, ABE, SBC were determined as acid-base indicators in venous blood. The most important adjustment of acid-base indicators was observed in pH, ABE and SB; their increases were statistically significant within the 3rd and/or 24th hour after intravenous application of 8.4% NaHCO3 solution at a significance level of p < 0.05 and/or p < 0.01. Buffering capacity of NaHCO3 was relatively strongly reflected in all indicators under observation when they were determined as reference values in 24 hours after application. The adjustment of acid-base indicators was accompanied by general improvement of calf health while the sucking reflex was resumed, which provided the conditions for accelerated replacement of fluids and electrolytes by i. v. as well as p. o. application forms.

[Dynamics of clinico-biochemical changes in sheep during magnesite loading]. / Dynamika klinicko-biochemických zmien u oviec pocas magnezitovej zátaze.

Clinical pattern and dynamics of some biochemical indicators were observed in six four-year lambing ewes of the Improved Wallachian breed in the course of 32-day administration of magnesite fly ash. A daily dose of the tested fly ash with the content of 305,000 mg/kg magnesium amounted to 500 mg/kg live weight of sheep. The intake of concentrate mixture with magnesium content in the test sheep decreased by a third between the 12th and 20th day, by another half between the 20th and 26th day and the intake was minimum to nil during the last seven days of the trial. The decrease in the intake of concentrate mixture was accompanied by increased water consumption and by gradual inappetence for hay. Shaped droppings started to change their consistency to slurry consistency from the 12th day of observation. Thinner to watery consistency of excrements appeared in all sheep between the 15th and 20th day and diarrheas persisted in all animals until the end of the trial. The indicators of hematological profile did not show an undoubted relationship to the administration of tested magnesium, and the variations in the particular indicators observed during the trial were within the physiological range. Serum enzymes showed a significant increase against the starting values only in the concentration of alanine aminotransferase on day 20 and day 26 (p < 0.05 and/or p < 0.001). An increase in the proteosynthetic activity of hepatocytes signalled a statistically significant increase in total proteins (p < 0.05), total immunoglobulins (p < 0.05) and an insignificant increase in albumin content. Out of the analyzed mineral elements, magnesium content showed the most significant relationship to administration of industrial pollutants as its significant increase in blood serum, urine and droppings was observable since day 20 (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). The dynamics of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, arsenic and cadmium concentrations showed different patterns in the blood serum, droppings and urine of sheep in the course of magnesite fly ash feeding, and the evaluation of interactions with magnesium requires further studies.

[Clinical and metabolic response in goats with iodopenia after administration of potassium iodide]. / Klinická a metabolická odozva kôz jódopéniou na aplikáciu jodidu draselného.

A clinical picture and dynamics of metabolic indicators were examined in 40 goats suffering from iodopenia; the examinations took place in the course of potassium iodide application. Crystalline kalium iodatum was administered to all animals in barley groats at a dose of 0.5 g per animal/day within three weeks; then a three-week withdrawal followed and the treatment was repeated within the same time period. The thyroid gland consistency started to change at the end of the 3rd week of treatment when the tough elastic to tough thyroid became the soft one. The goiter started to disappear gradually from the 8th week of experiment and the physiological state of this organ was normal in most animals in the 11th week. Among the biochemical indicators, the most sensitive response to treatment was recorded in iodine and thyroxine concentrations in blood serum since their significant increase in comparison with the values before potassium iodide application was obvious on day 14 of treatment (P < 0.01). Return of total lipids and cholesterol content to the physiological limits occurred within two weeks while in glucose it was in the 7th week of treatment. A significant increase in serum immunoglobulins was recorded from day 14 to the end of experiment (P < 0.01). Among the minerals analyzed, positive responses in blood serum to potassium iodide intake were determined in the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, copper and zinc. Application of potassium iodide to affected goats had positive effects on the dynamics of leukocytes from the end of the 2nd week (P < 0.01), of erythrocytes from the 7th week (P < 0.01), of hemoglobin and hematocrit value at the end of experiment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, resp.).

[Iodine deficiency in goats as a cause of congenital goiter in kids]. / Jódopénia kôz prícinou kongenitálnej strumy u kozliat.

The objective of the paper was to assess the occurrence of congenital struma in kids in relation to the clinical and biochemical finding in their mothers. Observations involved 46 imported goats of Saanen and Alpine breeds in the course of kidding and their kids. Thyroid gland hypertrophy (39 goats) and somewhat worse or even bad state of nutrition were dominant clinical findings in pregnant goats and in goats after kidding. Abortions in the last month of pregnancy were recorded in 14 goats, and 14 goats delivered stillborn kids. Eighteen goats delivered 26 liveborn kids, but 18 out of them died within 12 to 24 hours after birth. Dead kids were hairless, they had skin edema, and very shortened thoracic as well as pelvic limbs. The thyroid gland was well visible and palpable. Surviving kids lagged behind in their growth and often suffered from bronchopneumonia as an additional disease. Iodine concentration in the blood serum of goats (5.58 +/- 2.14 mumol/l) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in comparison with kids (133.4 +/- 15.61 mumol/l). This state was characterized by adequate T3 and T4 concentrations in the blood serum of goats (1.78 +/- 0.59 and 4.53 +/- 4.44 nmol/l, resp.) and of kids (4.66 +/- 2.26 and 182.93 +/- 2.59 nmol/l, resp.). Iodine content in the thyroid gland of the seven kids that died was 1.86 +/- 0.96 mg/kg fresh tissue. Examination of indicators of the internal environment in the blood serum showed alternate statistical differences (P < 0.01) between adult goats and their kids in erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit value, leucocyte counts, activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, concentrations of total protein, albumin, total immunoglobulins, total lipids, cholesterol, phosphorus, copper, iron and zinc, while the explicit relation to disorders of iodine metabolism and thyroid hormones was not confirmed. The average content of iodine in the examined samples of soil (14.67 mg/kg) and alfalfa hay (0.1 mg/kg) demonstrated that primary deficiency of iodine in goats was the cause of congenital struma in kids.

Accumulation of trace elements in sheep and the effects upon qualitative and quantitative ovarian changes.

The distribution of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo, Se, As, Cd and Pb was determined in the organs of sheep that died of Cu intoxication from a Cu plants emissions. Simultaneously, quantitative and qualitative changes in the ovaries were evaluated. In sheep that died of copper intoxication, the highest Cu levels were in the liver (1797 +/- 946.1 mg/kg dry matter) and the kidneys (425.5 +/- 426.4 mg/kg dry matter). The liver and kidneys accumulated Zn, whereas Fe was primarily accumulated by spleen and kidneys. Selenium was mainly in the ovaries and uterus (7.72 +/- 4.88 and 5.30 +/- 5.33 mg/kg dry matter respectively). The ovaries and the uterus were the organs that accumulated As, Cd and Pb, respectively. Histological changes in the number of ovarian follicles and the increased occurrence of primary atretic follicles indicated alterations in the membrane structures and organelles of oocytes and in the follicular cells of the stratum granulosum.

[Morphologic characteristics of the testes in breeding rams after experimental loading with industrial emissions containing copper]. / Morfologický obraz semenníkov plemenných baranov po experimentálnej zátazi priemyselnou emisiou s obsahom medi.

The aim of this work was to experimentally evaluate the effect of feeding industrial emissions from a copper-producing plant upon Cu accumulation in the testes of six Merino breeding rams. In the experimental animals (4) the daily copper intake from the exhalations was 15 mg/kg l.w. Administration was continued until the haemolytic crisis appeared (on day 42 in one animal and on day 50 of the experiment in the other animals). The tissue of the testes was examined by both optic and electron microscopy. The patho-anatomical picture of the organs was characterized by general icterus which was also evident on the sectional surfaces of the testes. In the right and left testis of the experimental animals Cu levels were found that were twice higher than those of the controls (Tab. IV). The toxic effect of copper became evident by the destruction of all developmental stages of germinative cells mainly by that the integrity of the cell membranes was damaged thus resulting in a gradual release of the germinative cells, into the tubular lumen. In extreme cases the tubules were lined with nuclei only and the residual cytoplasm of Sertoli cells (Sertoli cells--only syndrome). Ruptures of the cytoplasmic membranes were also observed on the Leydig cells. Thickening of the tubular lamina propria was caused by homogenization and enormous invagination of the lamellar layer, which was rather predominant on the periphery of the organ (Fig. 2). In the deeper layers of the testes reduction of the cellular and non-cellular layers of the tubular walls occurred which frequently resulted in the rupture of the basement membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Possibilities of eliminating the effect of magnesite fly ash in beef bulls]. / Moznosti eliminácie pôsobenia magnezitových úletov u výkrmových býkov.

The objective of the paper was to test efficiency of feed ration enriched with calcium, phosphorus salts and fat concentrate for elimination of negative impacts of magnesite light ashes in beef bulls kept in an exposure area of magnesite works. For this purpose, 24 animals received a feed mix fortified with dicalcium phosphate at a rate of 100 g per head/day for eight months (P1 group) and another group of 24 bulls were administered a feed mix with an addition of 8% corn fat concentrate (P2 group). The other 24 animals were control (control group K). The clinical picture involved the occurrence of mild to profuse diarrheas which were alternately characteristic of all animal species in the first two months of the trial. Feed intake of the investigated groups was equal. Supplementation of feed ration with dicalcium phosphate and corn concentrate increased the weight gains of experimental animals in comparison with control bulls, the increase being 13.2 and 24.5%, resp. In comparison with the control bulls, the intake of the above supplements did not basically influence the dynamics of hematological profile indicators in the experimental bulls (Figs. 1-4). As for the parameters of hepatic profile, in the 3rd month of testing AST activity was positively influenced in both experimental groups if compared with the control group (P < 0.01), Fig. 5, and at the end of observation ALT activity in P2 group (P < 0.01), Fig. 6. Bilirubinemia dynamics did not change in the investigated groups after administration of either supplement (Fig. 9). ALP activity maintained statistically insignificantly higher values in the control animals in the second half of the trial, which demonstrated impairment of mineral metabolism in this group (Fig. 8). Significant differences in IgC levels between the control and experimental groups were confirmed in the 3rd month of the trial (P < 0.01), Fig. 12. In comparison with the control animals, the effect of dietary dicalcium phosphate supplementation in the experimental group P1 and dietary fat extract supplementation in the P2 group was observed in Ca, P and Mg concentrations to a more significant extent in the examined organs as well as in blood serum (Tabs. I-V). Except in spleen, there was a trend of higher cumulation of Ca in all the examined organs of bulls receiving dicalcium phosphate supplement. Phosphorus cumulation showed the same dependence upon dicalcium phosphate intake in the examined organs. Mg deposition in all examined organs showed minimum differences between the experimental groups and control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects on enzymes and the genetic apparatus of sheep after administration of samples from industrial emissions.

In the present work the influence of the administration of industrial emissions from a zinc and copper plant on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, gammaglutamyl transferase, creatine phosphokinase (CK), total bilirubin, serum zinc levels and the genetic apparatus was studied on seven ewes. Each animal was given a dose of 31.99 g of emissions per day. The first and the last animals died of zinc intoxication on days 42 and 58, respectively. Significantly increased zincemia could be observed from day 8 of the experiment (P < 0.01). In the enzymes under investigation, the most pronounced effects of the emission were seen in AST and CK activities. In comparison with the starting levels, AST values revealed significant differences on days 37 and 58 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), and CK on day 58 (P < 0.01). Significantly increased bilirubinemia (P < 0.01) could be observed from day 8 of the experiment. In the period prior to the first gavage of emission and day 30 of administration no significant increase of chromosome breaks per cell was observed in the experimental sheep. The genotoxic effect of the emission was also stated on the basis of recombination frequency visualized by means of the sister chromatid exchange test; on day 30, the increase of these disturbances revealed statistical significance (P < 0.01).

[Clinical and biochemical aspects of loading heifers with magnesium flue dust]. / Klinicko-biochemické aspekty zátaze jalovíc magnezitovým úletom.

The objective of the paper was to investigate clinical and laboratory findings in heifers subjected to magnesite flue dust stress. A 50-day experiment was conducted in clinical conditions on five two-year heifers of the Slovak and Red Pied breeds at the live weight of 331 to 420 kg. All animals received dietary Mg from the source of magnesite flue dust at a rate of 500 mg/kg live weight. The test flue dust came from dust separation from electrostatic filters and contained these main elements: Mg (88%), Ca (1.6%), K (0.36%), Na (0.26%), Fe (1.89%), Zn (0.0026%), Cu (0.000294%) and trace amount of P. The clinical health of the animals was evaluated daily. Samples of blood, urine and dung were taken before the first administration of flue dust, on days 12, 30 and 50 of the experiment. The counts of erythrocytes, leucocytes, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value were determined in blood. Enzyme activities (AST, ALT, GMT), concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin, total proteins and total immunoglobulins were determined in blood serum. Contents of Mg, Ca, P, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn in blood serum, urine, dung and of the test pollutant were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on a Perkin Elmer apparatus (model 306, 1100). Profuse diarrhea was a dominant clinical symptom in the animals which appeared in individual animals between 24th and 48th hour from the first intake of magnesite flue dust. Diarrhea lasted alternately in all heifers until day 50 of the experiment. As for the analyzed parameters of hematological profile during administration of the pollutant (Figs. 1-4), Hb and Hk (P < 0.01) increased significantly in the investigated animals on day 12 in comparison with the initial values. Out of the enzymes, AST and ALT activities showed most readily the feeding of magnesite flue dust (r = 0.99 and r = 0.92, resp.), Figs. 5 and 6. Correlation relationships between magnesite pollutant administration and bilirubinemia dynamics during the experiment indicated the correlation r = 0.53 (Fig. 8), r = 0.36 (Fig. 9) for total proteins, r = 0.75 (Fig. 10) for albumin and r = 0.93 (Fig. 11) for total immunoglobulins. In comparison with the initial values, Mg concentrations in blood serum and dung significantly increased from day 12 of experiment (P < 0.01 - Fig. 13) and in urine from day 30 (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Dynamics of specific antibody formation in sheep after administration of industrial substrates from an aluminum plant]. / Dynamika tvorby specifických protilátok u oviec pocas príjmu priemyselného substrátu z hlinikárne.

Our observations aimed at determining the effects of supplementation with aluminium of plant emissions on specific ovalbumin antibody production in sheep by means of an ELISA method. Eleven Merino ewes aged 2.5 years were included in the experiment. The experimental group consisted of 6 animals. The daily intake of 0.75 g substrate per animal was administered after the morning feeding via a laryngeal tube. The amounts of essential and risk elements included in the substrate are given in Tab. I. All animals were subcutaneously immunized with ovalbumin (OVA, SIGMA A 5503) in 10% alhydrogel (Superhpos Ltd., Denmark) at a dose of 0.2 mg per 10 kg of live weight. The first immunization took place prior to the first gavage of emissions, the second one on day 21 of the experiment. Blood samples from the v. jugularis were collected from all animals, prior to the first immunization, in 6 weekly intervals and then in the 8th and 10th week of the experiment. A modified ELISA method (Strobel, 1983) was used to determine specific OVA antibodies in the sera. Throughout the observation period the increase of OVA antibody production appeared to be more significant in the experimental sheep. In the latter, increased specific antibody production could be detected as early as in the 1st week with maximum immunoglobulinaemia occurring in weeks 3 and 6 after OVA administration. As to specific antibody concentrations, significant differences between the experimental and the control ewes were recorded in weeks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the experiment (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Zinc, selenium and copper supplementation using rumen pellets and its effect on cellular and humoral responses in sheep]. / Suplementácia zinku, selénu a medi cestou cepco-bachorových peliet a jej vplyv na úroven cellulárnej a humorálnej odpovede u oviec.

The objective of the study was to test the effectiveness of Zn, Se and Cu supplementation through reticulum-rumen pellets and its effects on the rate of cellular and humoral reactions in sheep. An experiment included 12 lambing ewes of the Merino breed at the age of two years. Zn-containing pellets were applied via rumen to three lambing ewes at the end of November, Se pellets were applied to other three lambing ewes Cu pellets to other three ewes. Three lambing ewes were control. Blood samples were taken from the v. jugularis from all the investigated ewes before bolus administration, in month 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 after application. Zn, Se and Cu concentrations in the blood serum were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Immune reactions were evaluated from the concentrations of serum immunoglobulins (IgC), albumin (ALB), total proteins (TP), from phagocytic activity (PA), phagocytic index (PI), migration-inhibitory test (MIT) and determination of tetrazolium-reductase activity of phagocytes (INT-test). In comparison with the starting values, the highest increase in zincemia (80%) was recorded in the lambing ewes administered zinc boluses as soon as in the 1st month after administration. A significant difference in Zn concentrations between the zinc-pellet group and the control animals was observed in the 1st month after administration (P < 0.01). An increase in Se concentrations in the blood serum was observed in the lambing ewes administered selenium boluses in the 1st month after administration. Se content in the blood serum of the given group of ewes was highest at the end of observation (2.72 +/- 0.29 mumol/l). A statistically significant difference in Se content between the group of selenium-bolus ewes and the control ewes was confirmed at a significance level P < 0.05 in the 1st and 2nd month of the experiment. Cu concentrations in the blood serum in the Cu-bolus ewes increased in the 1st month if compared with the starting values. The highest Cu concentration in the blood serum was recorded in the given group within month 4 to 7 of the experiment (16.53 +/- 2.72, or 21.23 +/- 4.40 mumol/l). There were significant differences in cupremia between the Cu-pellet group of ewes and the control animals (P < 0.05). In comparison with the starting values, the highest increase in TP concentrations were determined in the Cu-pellet ewes in the 4th, 6th, and 7th months. Albuminemia dynamics in the experimental animals and in the control group did not vary significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Biologic quality of colostrum and calves from dairy cows injected with zinc during pregnancy]. / Biologická plnohodnotnost mledziva a teliat od dojníc injekcne osetrených zinkom pocas gravidity.

The effects of an administration of the Zindep inj. preparation (Biotika) were evaluated in pregnant dairy cows as exerted on specific weight, total protein (TP) content, total immunoglobulin (IgC) and albumin (ALB) contents in colostrum. These parameters were also followed: calf's health, live weight, leucocyte (Lc) counts, T-lymphocyte (T-Ly) counts, contents of TPs, IgCs and ALBs in the blood serum of calves. Zinc concentrations were determined in colostrum, milk and calf blood serum. Our observations included 16 dairy cows in the seventh month of pregnancy in the second lactation and their calves in the winter feeding season. Eight experimental dairy cows were treated with the Zindep preparation in form of an injection to the neck muscles at a dose of 3 mg Zn/kg live weight in the mid-seventh month of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken from v. jugularis from all calves before their first drinking, on days 5, 15 and 30 of age. Colostrum, and/or milk samples were obtained by drawing of the colostrum or milk from the udder quarters within 60 minutes after parturition, on days 5 and 15 of lactation. Zn levels at birth were 16.48 +/- 2.67 mumol/l in experimental calves and 13.84 +/- 3.19 mumol/l in control calves. Zincaemia decreased slightly in both groups on days 5 and 15 of age, but it was insignificantly higher in calves coming from Zindep-treated dairy cows. Zn levels in the blood serum on the 30th day of age were 18.45 +/- 2.44 mumol/l in experimental animals and 15.73 +/- 3.11 mumol/l in control animals. Zn content in the colostrum of experimental cows was 2.40 +/- 0.42 mg/l and in the control it was 1088 +/- 0.52 mg/l (P < 0.05). On day 5 of lactation, Zn amounts in the milk of experimental dairy cows decreased to 0.95 +/- 0.12 mg/l and to 0.76 +/- 0.10 mg/l in the control (P < 0.01). Zn levels in the milk of experimental cows on day 15 of lactation were 0.95 +/- 0.13 mg/l and in the milk of control group they were 0.82 +/- 0.14 mg/l. Colostrum specific weight from zinc-treated cows was 1,067.86 +/- 0.75 g/cm3 and 1,056.8 +/- 13.53 g/cm3 in the control. TP and IgC concentrations were 137.81 +/- 38.11 g/l and 110.13 +/- 29.91 U ZST, respectively, in the colostrum of experimental group, and 105.98 +/- 32.02 g/l and 85.53 +/- 25.42 U ZST, resp., in control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[The effect of administration of vitamin E on levels of serum immunoglobulins and levels of phagocytic activity]. / Stúdium vplyvu aplikácie vitamínu E na koncentráciu sérových imunoglobulínov a úroven fagocytárnej aktivity.

The effect of peroral administration and parenteral implantation of vitamin E was followed as exerted on the concentration of total serum immunoglobulins and phagocytic activity of blood leucocytes in calves. Twelve calves at the age of maximally 14 days with the average live weight of 41.2 kg were included in an experiment with peroral administration; six of them were given Combinal E (Tocoferolum aceticum 40 mg in 1 ml) at a dose of 20 mg tocopherol acetate per kg live weight. Sixteen calves at the age of three months and with the average live weight of 112.6 kg were included in the second trial. The Erevit preparation was implanted intramuscularly to eight calves at the same dose as in the first experiment (Tocoferolum aceticum 300 mg in 1 ml solutions oleosae). The animals of control groups in both experiments were administered sunflower oil as a placebo, namely at the same amount as the above-mentioned preparations (no oil treatment for peroral administration, heat and pressure treatments of oil for intramuscular implantation). All the preparations lead to a significant increase in vitamin E concentrations in the blood plasma of calves in both experiments, the highest average level being recorded in 24 hours after administration (8.05, and/or 5.51 mumol/l; Tabs. I and IV). The level of total serum immunoglobulins was not influenced by vitamin E supplementation; this level remained below the physiological range of values in calves with peroral administration during the whole time of observation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of Zindep inj. preparation on levels of zinc, T-lymphocytes and beta-lysine in the blood of pregnant dairy cows]. / Vplyv prípravku Zindep inj. na zinkémiu, T-lymfocyty a beta-lyzín u gravidných dojníc.

The effects of zinc administration at a rate of 3 mg/kg lw. in the preparation Zindep inj. ad usum vet. (Biotika, Slovenská L'upca) were evaluated as exerted on zinc concentrations in the blood serum of 16 dairy cows in the middle of the 7th month of pregnancy. With respect to zinc injection, T-rosetted lymphocytes and beta-lysine activity were inestigated. Blood was collected from all dairy cows from v. jugularis before the preparation was administered, on days 2, 5, 8, 15, 30 and 60 after Zindep administration. Atom absorption spectrophotometry, applying a flame technique on a Perkin Elmer 1100 apparatus (Bíres, 1986), was used to determine Zn concentrations in the blood serum of all dairy cows. T-lymphocytes were determined by a rosette test after Paul et al. (1977), and beta-lysine was detected spectrophotometrically after Bucharin et al. (1987). Zinc dynamics in the blood serum of dairy cows is presented in Fig. 1. The starting values of zinc in the test cows were 9.68 +/- 2.30 mumol/l and in the control ones 10.15 +/- 1.27 mumol/l. Zincaemia of experimental dairy cows was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) on day 2 after Zindep administration, in comparison with the control group. A significant increase in zinc concentrations in the blood serum of experimental animals, in comparison with the control ones, was observed from day 8 to day 60 (P less than 0.01). The maximum zincaemia values were recorded in experimental dairy cows within days 15 and 30 (15.65 +/- 3.33, and/or 14.55 +/- 2.10 mumol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mineral profile of serum in experimental copper intoxication of sheep from industrial emissions.

We studied the dynamics of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mo, As, Cd, Pb and Se in the serum of sheep during experimental copper (Cu) intoxication from emissions from a Cu factory. From the food and the dosed emission, the daily intake was 466.8 mg Cu, 1253.93 mg Fe, 11.67 mg Zn, 0.74 mg Mo, 34.75 mg As, 0.091 mg Cd, 2.13 mg Pb, and 2.57 mg Se/experimental ewe. After the onset of Cu intoxication the first ewe died on the 65th d and the last one on the 84th d of the experiment. Hypercupremia was observed from the 50th d after the beginning of emission administration. Significant changes were observed in serum Cu on the 50th, 70th and 77th d (P less than 0.01). Changes in the dynamics of the other elements were recorded at the end of the cumulative phase and during the hemolytic crisis by also determining Fe, Zn, Mo, As, Cd, Pb and Se in serum of the Cu-poisoned sheep.

Interactions between copper and selenium in sheep in the course of experimentally-produced copper intoxication.

This work evaluated the effect of interactions between copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) in the course of experimentally-produced Cu intoxication with industrial emissions on the animals' life spans and the Cu and Se concentrations in serum, liver and kidneys. We selected 15 Valaska ewes 1.5 y old. After the morning feeding all the animals were given emissions from a nearby Cu plant that contained 16.5% Cu and 0.0093% Se. Seven of the animals (group B) were given 5 ml SELEVIT injectable (Biotika, Slovenska Lupca)/head before starting the experiment and again on days 30 and 60. In the animals without Se supplementation (group A) the daily Cu and Se intakes from the emission and food were 466.0 mg and 2.56 mg, respectively. The average life span of the sheep in group A was 77 d and in group B it was 79.83 d. The first death due to intoxication occurred on the day 65 in group A and on day 69 in group B. During the emission feeding period no statistically significant differences were observed in cupraemia between the ewes with Se supplementation and those without it. Hypercupraemia was found in both groups from day 50 till death. Only at the end of the experiment was the serum Cu of group A statistically lower than that in group B. Cu concentrations in the liver and kidneys (dry matter) of the sheep that died with Cu intoxication in group A was 2138 +/- 1090.96 mg/kg and 272.94 +/- 197.16 mg/kg, and in group B they were 2603 +/- 1332.9 mg/kg and 341.65 +/- 307.45 mg/kg, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)