Recommendations for cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) mean for the human organism a potentially dangerous situation. An investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides important information about a character of CNS impairment in the decision-making diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. The authors present a brief overview of available cerebrospinal fluid assays, shortened indication criteria, a recommended algorithm of CSF assessment in different suspected diseases, and a view of the external quality system. The whole portfolio of obtainable CSF methodology is further subdivided according to the adequate choice into the first and inevitable basic routine panel, and following complicated analyses of highly specialized character. The basic panel is considered for standard laboratories, the complete specialized assessment should be provided by a super-consulting laboratory.

[Conception ability of early mated heifers of Bohemiam spotted and black-pied lowland cattle and their crossbreeds]. / Koncepcni schopnost rane zapousténých jalovic ceského strakatého a nízinného cernostrakatého skotu a jejich krízencu

The conception rate of heifers was studied in dependence on their age and body weight at the first mating. The trial included 163 heifers of the Bohemian Spotted breed, 72 heifers of the Black-Pied Lowland breed, and 101 crossbreds between these two breeds. The heifers of the Bohemian Spotted breed mated for the first time at the age of 12 months had a lower weight than required by the standard (336 kg -- standard requires 360 kg) and a lower weight than the heifers of the other breeds under study. In the heifers of the youngest age categories (111/2-15 months) the conception rate after the first insemination ranged from 56.5 to 58.8% in the Bohemian Spotted heifers, from 57.5 to 77.7% in the Black-Pied Lowland cattle, and from 52.17 to 66.0% in the crossbreds. There were no greater differences from the heifers of higher age categories (15-18 and more months). These tendencies are proved also by other indices such as the average time from the first insemination to getting in-calf and, in particular, the insemination index. Somewhat better indices of the conception rate of early-mated heifers were found in the Black-Pied Lowland breed. The conception rate of early-mated heifers was only slightly influenced by the season. In the summer months (June to August) the pregnancy percentage was lower but the remaining indices showed no greater differences. On an average, the length of gravidity was longer by five days in the heifers of the Bohemian Spotted breed as compared with the heifers of the Black-Pied Lowland cattle, and longer by two days as compared with the crossbred heifers.

[Reproductive capacity and milk production in cows of various cattle breeds as related to age at the ist calving]. / Reprodukcni výkonnost a mlécná uzitkovost krav nekterých plemen skotu ve vztahu k jejich veku pri prvním porodu

The course of parturition, the ability to get in-calf, and milk production were studied in 348 first-calved cows, in 162 cows of the Bohemian Spotted breed, 88 cows of the Black-Pied Lowland breed, and 98 crossbreds of these two breeds divided into three categories according to the age at the first calving (from 21 to 23 months, 24 months, and from 25 to 29 months). There were only slight differences in the average calf birth weight between the cows of all the breeds calving for the first time before the age of 24 months and cows calving later (lower by 0.70 kg, 1.15 kg, 0.80 kg, respectively). The frequency of irregular parturitions and the course of early puerperium did not differ considerably in individual categories under study, either. The average time elapsing from parturition to the first insemination was 58, 63, and 53 days, respectively, in the cows of the youngest category, and 56, 57, and 51 days, respectively, in the oldest category. Similarly, insignificant differences were found in the length of the service period (SP = 94, 95, and 85 days compared to 88, 94, and 80 days) and in the value of the insemination index (2.17, 1.91, and 2.02 compared to 1.92, 2.00, and 1.92). Milk production in early-calving cows in the first lactation was significantly lower than in later-calving cows (3155, 3704 and 3267 kg of milk compared to 3788, 3961, and 3515 kg of milk). If the required live weight at calving is reached, no greater complications of parturition and puerperium occur in the cows calving for the first time at an early age. The indices of further fertility and milk production are also favourable. This justifies the view that the reduction of the pre-production period in heifers and the earliness of the first calving can be considered as a generally recommendable method of the intensification of the reproduction process and as a contribution to the improvement of the profitability of cattle breeding.