Differentiation of species of Eimeria from the fowl using a computerized image-analysis system.

Oocysts of Eimeria species from the fowl have been identified using a computerized image-analysis system (Leitz T.A.S. Plus Image-Analyser). The system enabled semiautomatic measurement of oocyst dimensions with subsequent species of diagnosis based on graphic statistical evaluation of size and shape of measured parasites. E. mitis, E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. tenella and complex of E. necatrix and E. praecox were distinguishable both in pure cultures and in mixtures. It was not possible to distinguish E. praecox from E. necatrix using this system.

[Morphometry of bovine luteal tissue explants after the addition of various doses of 15-glycol cloprostenol (Glystrophan inj. Spofa)]. / Morfometrie explantátu luteální tkáne krav po adici ruzných dávek 15-glykal cloprostenolu (Glystrophan inj. Spofa).

Histological and morphometrical examinations were made to investigate the explants of yellow bodies in four gravid cows slaughtered the seventh day after PMSG superovulation and after artificial insemination. The medium of luteal tissue explants was added the test substance 15-glycal cloprostenol at doses of 2.5; 25 and 250 micrograms per ml of the medium. Parallelly cloprostenol in the Oestrophan inj. Spofa preparation was investigated at a dose of 25 micrograms per ml of the medium. The action of the medium lasted 24 hours at temperatures of 37 and 24 degrees C. Besides an overall histological examination the following morphometric indicators were studied: total counts of luteal cells per 1 mm2 area, average area of luteal cells and their nuclei and determination of the nucleocytoplasmic ratio of these cells, parenchymal area (area of luteal cells and stroma) of the luteal tissue per 1 mm2 area. The examinations have indicated that 15-glycal cloprostenol at a dose of 25 micrograms per ml of the medium has stimulating, luteotropic effects on the luteal tissue. The effects were manifested by luteal tissue hyperplasia and the largest area of luteal tissue parenchyma. On the other hand the effects of a tenfold higher dose (250 micrograms per ml of the medium) of the same substance were luteolytic similarly like those of parallelly tested cloprostenol.

[Determination of hepatotoxicity using the texture analysis method]. / Stanovení hepatotoxicity metodou analýzy obrazu.

To determine the hepatotoxic effects of hydrazine sulphate by means of a complex of methods of morphological examinations, ten sheep were used as a model of acute liver lesions induced by this compound. The hepatotoxic effects were demonstrated by a general histological examination of liver tissue and by a quantitative evaluation of percent proportions of intact liver parenchyma. Among quantitative indicators, the areas of histochemically detectable neutral lipids and of glycogen in liver tissue were also evaluated. Quantitative evaluation was performed by means of an automatic texture analysis using a texture analyzer T.A.S. plus (Leitz Texture Analyzer System) and a programme devised by the authors in the TASIC language. Similar steatotic changes in liver tissue were found in sheep which were treated with a dose of 0.4 mmol of hydrazine sulphate per 1 kg of live weight, as earlier reported for laboratory animals, carnivores, and monkeys. The above methods of morphological examination can be used for a basal determination of hepatotoxic effects of substances tested in pharmacological research.