[Effect of selenium and vitamin E on white cells, serum concentration of several minerals and trace elements as well as immunologic parameters in calves]. / Untersuchungen über den Einfluss von Selen und Vitamin E auf rotes und weisses Blutbild, Serumkonzentration einiger Mineralstoffe und Spurenelemente sowie immunologische Parameter beim Kalb.

The investigations were done on 12 calves (age: 3 to 8 weeks). Six calves received (with an interval of two weeks) two intramuscular injections, each of which contained 5.75 mg selenium and 75 mg alpha-tokopherolacetate (Ursoselevit). Subsequently, they showed higher blood leukocyte counts (with less variation; p < 0.05), a greater phagocytosis index and more NBT-positive granulocytes than six untreated controls. Furthermore, their sera contained more carotenes, vitamin A and gamma-globulines than those of the controls. The other parameters considered within this trial (i.e. erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, serum contents of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, iron and zinc) did not show statistically valuable differences between the members of the two groups.

Influence of the perinatal period on bovine interferon production.

Interferon (IFN) production in cultures of leukocytes of calves immediately after birth, 2--3-day-old calves, dams and nonpregnant lactating cows was compared. For IFN induction Radom strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV-R), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA) were used. Cultures of newborn-calf peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) separated from blood by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation or leukocytes cultivated by whole blood technique responded to all inducers used with a significantly lower IFN level than those of 2--3-day-old calves, dams and lactating cows. Although the mechanism of this phenomenon is not clear, our data connot rule out a defect of IFN synthesis in blood leukocytes of newborn calves. Spontaneous antiviral activity was detected in fetal membranes and in colostral leukocytes. Colostral leukocytes were efficient producers of IFN after induction with NDV-R, but less efficient than blood leukocytes after induction with PHA and ConA. Low response to PHA and ConA correlated with low number of lymphocytes in colostrum.

[Acid-base equilibrium in experimental acid indigestion in cattle]. / Badania nad równowaga kwasowo-zasadowa w przebiegu doswiadczalnej niestrawnosci kwasnej u bydla.

Blood and urine acid-base parameters were investigated in 4 heifers with acid indigestion produced by intraruminal infusion of sugar in a dose of 12 g/kg b.wt. Observations were carried out for 9 days after sugar administration. It was found that rumen acidosis was accompanied by disturbances in blood acid-base balance characteristic of partially compensated metabolic acidosis. The most pronounced changes in acid-base parameters were observed within the first 24 hours after sugar infusion, i.e. during rapid increase of lactic acid levels in blood. These changes were reflected by a decrease of blood pH values to 7.138-7.275 reduction in standard bicarbonate to 12.2-17.0 mmol/l and deficiency in base excess ranging from 9.3 to 16.7 mmol/l. The maximum reduction in partial pressure of CO2 to 4.35-4.79 kPa occurred during the second day of the experiment. The duration of acid-base disturbances depended on their intensity in individual animals and oscillated between 4 and 9 days after sugar administration. When acidosis subsided, acid-base balance returned to normal or showed a tendency toward blood alkalization. The observed decrease of pH values in urine to 5.42-5.74 and renal acid excretion from 170 to 299 mmol/l indicate a significant role of kidney function in the correction of metabolic acidosis.