[Infection with Chlamydophila pneumoniae as a cause of female infertility of tubal origin?]. / Infekce Chlamydophila pneumoniae jako prícina neplodnosti zen tubárního puvodu?

OBJECTIVE: A contribution to the role of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in women from the IVF program. DESIGN: A serological study proving the antibodies against the antigens of Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) and Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) in women from the IVF program suffering from different factor of infertility. SETTING: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno. METHODS: The complement fixation test with chlamydial antigen and ELISA tests proving IgA and IgG antibodies against genus-specific antigen (cLPS) and species-specific chlamydial major outer membrane protein (cMOMP) of C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae in the blood serum of 32 females being in the fertilization program due the tubal factor infertility have been estimated and the results compared with those obtained in 26 females being in the fertilization program due the ovarian factor and in 42 female with andrological factor, respectively. RESULTS: The frequency of positive complement fixation test proved in the group of women with tubal factor infertility was significantly higher than in the groups with ovarial and andrological factor, respectively. The number of the strongly positive reactions (with high titres) in the group with tubal factor infertility was higher than in two remaining groups. The occurrence of species-specific IgG antibodies (anti-C. trachomatis) and chlamydia genus-specific IgA antibodies proved by means of ELISA in the group with tubal factor was statistically more frequent. The difference of the species-specific anti-C. pneumoniae antibodies in all three groups examined was not significant. The simultaneous occurrence of species-specific antibodies against anti-C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis in the group with tubal factor was higher than in other groups (in comparing with the group with andrological factor statistically significant). CONCLUSION: The opinion of the authors being in agreement with the view of most specialists is that the most important agent in the pathogenesis of tubal factor fertility is C. trachomatis. C. pneumoniae is above all a respiratory pathogen with a high prevalence and its impact for fertility disorders may be in the synergismus with C. trachomatis. The serological examination of both chlamydial infections should be a standard part of diagnostic algorithm.

[Evidence of antibodies against the chlamydial heat shock protein (cHSP60) in women from "in vitro" fertilization program]. / Prukaz protilátek proti proteinu tepelného soku chlamydií (cHSP60) u zen zarazených do in vitro fertilizacního programu.

OBJECTIVE: A contribution to the role of chlamydial heat shock protein in women from the IVF program. DESIGN: A serological study proving the antibodies against the chlamydial heat shock protein. SETTING: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Department of Clinical Microbiology, and Centrum of Reproductive Medicine, Faculty Hospital Brno. METHODS: The IgG antibodies against the chlamydial heat shock protein (cHSP60) and the IgA and IgG antibodies against species specific chlamydial major outer membrane protein (cMOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) and Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) in the blood serum of 70 females being in the fertilization program due to fertility disorders (Group 1) have been estimated and the results compared with those obtained in 50 females suffering from pelvic inflammation disease (PID) (Group 2) and in 51 female blood donors (Group 3) respectively. RESULTS: The anti-cHSP60 antibodies have been ascertained as follows: in 26 women from the first group (37.1%), in 16 of the second group (32.0%) and in 12 (23.5%) of female blood donors. The anti cHSP60-antibody-occurrence and mean index of positivity as well, found in the groups examined, was statistically insignificant. Similarly no difference has been found in the occurrence of the species specific anti-cMOMP antibodies C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae in the groups examined. The anti-cMOMP antibodies against C. trachomatis and simultaneously against C. pneumoniae have been detected in 21 from 171 women of all groups (12.3%), only against C. trachomatis in 9 (5.3%) and against C. pneumoniae in 73 of them (42.7%). There was considerably higher occurrence of the specific antibodies against C. trachomatis in women with a positive finding of antibodies against the cHSP60, especially in women suffering from gynecological disorders, than in women without such antibodies. CONCLUSION: C. trachomatis has a significant impact on the production of antibodies against the cHSP60. This fact can be documented by considerably higher occurrence of the specific antibodies against C. trachomatis in women with a positive finding of antibodies against the cHSP60, than in women without such antibodies. Preceding infection C. trachomatis and following sensitization with chlamydial heat shock protein indicate an unfavourable prognosis of the reproductive outcome and impairs the perspective of a successful in vitro fertilization. The proof of antibodies against the chlamydial HSP60 can be recommended as a further auxiliary criterion in women suffering from fertility disorders.

A dual-task approach to the evaluation of the myokinemetric signal as an alternative to EMG.

EMG is the signal widely used in neuromuscular control, biofeedback and measurement applications. Alternative physiological signals are available, but are used relatively infrequently. In the development of assistive devices, such as functional electrical stimulators, it is important to make the device as straightforward to use as possible. This is particularly relevant for patients with neurological and often associated cognitive impairments. Different physiological signals may require different degrees of attention to control, and advantage could be gained from selection of a signal that requires the least attention to control. However, relatively little work has been carried out on how to assess the demands of different physiological signals. This paper reports on the development of a novel experimental set up designed to address this problem and, in particular, to compare two different physiological signals, the EMG and the so-called MK signal. The paper presents the hardware design, including mechanical, electronic and software design, which involves data acquisition, parallel tasks and user-friendly interface. The system described could be adapted for evaluation of other physiological signals.

[Heat shock protein antibodies and other chlamydial antigens in various diseases and their occurrence in blood donors]. / Protilátky proti proteinu tepelného soku a dalsím antigenum chlamydií u nekterých chorob ve srovnání s jejich výskytem u dárcu krve.

BACKGROUND: The chlamydial infections are very frequently considered in the causal connection with some diseases e.g. atherosclerosis or chronic joint infections. The evidence of the antibodies against the heat shock protein of chlamydial origin is not the usual part of practical serological diagnostics. The aim of this study is an attempt to identify antibodies against the heat shock protein and other antigens of chlamydiae in the sera of two groups of patients and in the sera of blood donors. METHODS AND RESULTS: The sera of patients suffering from unstable angina pectoris (NAP = 69), sera of patients waiting for the application of endoprothesis due to coxarthrosis (EKK = 49), and sera of 100 blood donors have been examined for antibodies against the heat shock protein, against the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of C. pneumoniae, and against the chlamydial genus specific lipolysaccharides. The antibodies against the cHSP60 in the sera of patients suffering from NAP have been identified in 41 cases (59.4%), in orthopaedic patients in 21 cases (42.9%) and in 23 of the blood donors (23%). The difference of the antibody-occurrence in the sera of patients is significantly higher than in case of blood donors. The antibodies against the MOMP of C. pneumoniae prevailed in all sera of the persons examined. Their occurrence in the IgG class had a high statistical frequency. The genus specific positive reaction occurred more frequently also in the sera of the probands that reacted positively against the cHSP60 than in those negatively reacting. According to our results, the significance of C. pneumoniae in the genesis of the antibodies against of cHSP60 can be concluded. CONCLUSIONS: The proof of the anti-cHSP60 antibody and of the species-specific chlamydial antibodies may be a useful contribution to the exact diagnosis of the disease with possible chlamydial participation. The C. pneumoniae infection was probably of the main importance for the origin of the anti-cHSP60 antibody in examined persons.

[Serologic study of atherosclerosis and its vascular complications]. / Sérologické vysetrení u aterosklerózy a jejich cévních komplikací.

Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. p.) is very frequently cited as an important factor of the origin of atherosclerosis. To confirm the diagnostic value of the serological examination the following reactions have been used: microimmunofluorescence reaction (MIF) for estimating of antibodies against major outer membrane proteins C. p. (anti-MOMP) and ELISA for detecting antibodies against the lipopolysacharides of C. p. (anti-LPS), both in IgA and IgG immunoglobulin classes of the serum. The ELISA for the detection of the IgG antibodies against chlamydial heat shock protein (cHSP60) has been used. The sera of 155 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 69 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) have been examined. The heart disease has been confirmed by anamnesis, electrocardiography and coronarography. As a control group the sera from 112 persons without sings of a heart disease were examined. The antibodies against the cHSP60 have been determined only in the sera 69 patients with UAP and 49 control sera. Statistically higher occurrence of the antibodies anti-MOMP C. p. in the IgA class sera of patients suffering from UAP has been noted compared with those found in the sera of the control group (chi 2 = 18.56; p < 0.01). In the globulin IgG class of the both groups no difference has been found. The anti-LPS C. p. antibodies in the IgA as well in IgG anti-LPS classes of the patients sera with UAP were present significantly more frequently than in the control group (chi 2 = 11.49; p < 0.01, chi 2 = 4.16; p < 0.05). Similarly the incidence of the anti-LPS C. p. antibodies in the IgA class sera of 155 patients suffering from AMI was significantly higher than in the control group (chi 2 = 8.55; p < 0.01). The anti-cHSP60 antibodies have been found in 41 out of 69 patients suffering from UAP (59.4%) and in 21 of 49 control individuals (42.9%). The results seem to confirm an important role of C. p. in atherogenesis. The monitoring of the antibodies against the C. p. may supplement the diagnostics in patients suffering from UAP and AMI and the efficacy of its therapy and prevention as well.

[Occurrence of chlamydia infection in relation to lipidemia indicators in the etiology of unstable angina pectoris]. / Ucast chlamydiové infekce ve vztahu k ukazatelum lipémie v etiologii nestabilní anginy pectoris (NAP).

The presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was examined in 66 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 155 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AIM) and 112 controls without signs of a heart disease. Besides evaluation of anamnestic data, ECG and coronarographic examination, serologic examination of C. pneumoniae by the microfluorescent method anti-MOMP and ELISA of anti-LPS of globulin IgA and IgG serum classes in every patient was performed. Moreover, in patients with UAP, routine biochemical methods for the detection of total cholesterol levels and its lipoprotein fractions LDL, HDL and triacylglycerols were used. The levels of anti-MOMP C. pneumoniae antibodies and anti-LPS of the IgA class in sera of patients with UAP were statistically highly significantly increased (chi 2 = 19.54; chi 2 = 12.92; p < 0.01) and anti-LPS of the IgG class significantly increased (chi 2 = 6.15; p < 0.05) in comparison with controls. It can be assumed that the participation of C. pneumoniae is aetiologically possible. Total cholesterol levels, LDL, HDL and triacylgylcerols were increased above the normal range in 34.8%, 48.5%, 39.4% and 28.8% of patients, respectively. The anti-LPS C. pneumoniae ELISA test of globulin class IgA in patients with UAP seems to be the most suitable method for the determination of infections with C. pneumoniae.

[Chlamydial heat shock protein (hsp 60) and fertility disorders]. / Protein tepelného soku (hsp60) chlamydiového puvodu a poruchy fertility.

OBJECTIVE: Summarization of recent knowledge on heat shock proteins (HSPs) of human and bacterial (chlamydial) origin and their participation in fertility disturbances. DESIGN: Review article for training of physicians (gynecologists and obstetricians). SETTING: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno. METHOD AND RESULTS: The subject of the study is heat shock protein--hsp60 as a significant epitope Chlamydia trachomatis. Heat shock proteins are induced as a response to various stress insults from external environment (hyperthermy, UV radiation, free oxygen radicals, heavy metals, ethanol etc.) and certain processes related to the cell cycle. Sensitization with the heat shock protein Chlamydia trachomatis and subsequent excretion of highly homologous human heat shock protein are co-operating factors in the development of fertility disturbances. Significant levels of IgA antibodies to hsp60 occur in cervical mucus of women and in seminal plasma of men with fertility disturbances. CONCLUSION: Preceding infection C. trachomatis and resulting sensitization with chlamydial heat shock protein indicate an unfavourable prognosis of the reproductive outcome and impairs the perspective of a successful in vitro fertilization.

[Importance of regular screening for genital chlamydiosis in adolescents]. / Význam pravidelne opakovaného screeningu genitální chlamydiózy u dospívající mládeze.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of prevalence of genital chlamydiosis in similar group of adolescents as in that examined two years ago. Comparison of the results with the previous ones to confirm positive impact of a repeated screening on drop of prevalence of the infection. Another objective is to make the epidemiological data on genital chlamydiosis in the countries of the "Eastern Block" more accurate, and at the same time to assess the most suitable screening method. DESIGN: Prospective epidemiological study aimed at finding whether the repeated screening examinations of genital chlamydiosis in adolescents will result in decreased incidence of the infection. SETTING: Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Clinical Microbiology of the Faculty Hospital, Regional Hygienic Station, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty, Masaryk University, Brno. METHODS: The groups under testing comprised male and female students of two secondary medical schools and one private grammar school older than 18 (n = 232, of which 33 were boys and 199 girls). Direct detection of C. trachomatis was carried out from the urinary sediment of the sample of morning urine using ligase reaction, polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and direct immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Identical positive result of C. trachomatis detection by four methods was obtained 4 times, i.e. 1.7%. The result of LCR and PCR were positive identically (4 times), ELISA and IF were, besides the above results, positive in other 1 resp. 5 cases. CONCLUSION: Screening examinations of genital chlamydiosis were performed in adolescents in the town of Brno. Morning samples of urine from 232 students of secondary schools were examined on C. trachomatis using the following methods: LCR, PCR, ELISA, and IF. The LCR and PCR were positive 4 times, ELISA 5 times, IF 9 times. Positive results by LCR and PCR were identical. ELISA and IF were positive in other cases. Noninvasive methods are suitable for screening of latent genital chlamydiosis and for estimation of its prevalence. The authors of the study recommend the ligase chain reaction (LCR) as a most suitable screening method.

Stimulation of cell defense mechanism of bovine endometrium by temporal colonization with selected strains of lactobacilli.

The aim of the experiments was to assess the response to topical administration of selected live strains of lactobacilli of the cells responsible for the resistance of bovine endometrium. Experimental cows (n = 8) at 8 to 12 days of the estrous received one intrauterine dose of 20 ml of a suspension of lactobacilli in 1% glucose solution. Group I (n = 4) was treated with the strain Lactobacillus spp. G 013 (5.5 x 10(8) CFU/ml) and Group II (n = 4) with the strain Lactobacillus casei CCM 1753 (1.2 x 10(8) CFU/ml). Control cows (n = 4) received 20 ml of 1% glucose solution. Samples of endometrial tissue were obtained by biopsy or from slaughtered cows on post-treatment days 5 or 6 and/or 10 or 12. Colonization of the uterine cavity with lactobacilli for up to 12 days was confirmed by bacteriological examination and scanning electron microscopy. Highly significant increases (P < 0.01) were found in numbers of all cell types under study. The pronounced cellular infiltration of endometrium was mostly due to the accumulation of mononuclear cells, particularly lymphocytes forming often indistinctly demarcated lymphoid nodules. Also marked was the infiltration of mast cells and macrophages. The cellular infiltration of endometrium persisted still on post-treatment day 12. No signs of alteration of epithelial cells were observed. No principal differences in the effects on endometrium were found between the two lactobacilli strains. The proved stimulatory effect of lactobacilli on endometrial cell defense mechanisms demonstrated in our experiments and inhibitory effects of the former on the growth of pathogenic microorganisms are promising for practical application in the prevention and alternative therapy of bovine endometritis.

[Detection of Chlamydia in inflammation of the cervix and uterus in cows]. / Nálezy chlamydií u zánetu delozního krcku a pochvy krav.

Clinical findings in cows of seven farms with a frequent occurrence of birth canal inflammations were matched against results of serological and direct immunofluorescence tests for Chlamydia sp. infection. Normal clinical picture, weak to moderate and serious inflammations were found in 16.1%, 46.7% and 37.2% of the 205 examined cows, respectively. The results of micro CFT were negative in 32.7% and titres 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, and 1: > or = 40 were found in 8.7%, 38.0%, 12.3%, and 8.3%, respectively. Direct immunofluorescence test of cervical swabs, using the Progen Biotechnic GmbH set, was negative in 29.1% and clearly positive in 34.7% of the tested cows. The rest was animals in which sporadic elementary bodies were seen. The significance of the findings is discussed and the necessity to test Chlamydia infections in herds affected by frequent and/or chronic inflammations of genital organs is stressed. Evidence of the transmission of Chlamydia infection by contaminated semen is presented.

Light and scanning electron microscopy of endometrium of ovariectomized cows treated with oestradiol.

Histomorphological and histochemical investigations showed that a single intramuscular dose of 3 mg or oral dose of 10 mg oestradiol were sufficient to induce physiological oestrogenization of endometrium in ovariectomized cows. The first signs of endometrial activation were observed already on post-treatment Day 2. The resumption of secretory activity of surface epithelium cells and epithelial cells of proximal segments of uterine glands, active hyperaemia, slight oedema of lamina propria, and infiltration with cells responsible for non-specific resistance of endometrium (lymphocytes, lymphoid cells, monocytes, macrophages, mast cells) were the typical signs of oestrogenic stimulation. Morphological and activation signs of the effects of oestradiol persisted up to post-treatment Day 9. High doses of oestradiol (10 mg intramuscularly or intravenously, 20 mg orally) induced non-physiological hyperoestrogenization of uterine mucosa.

[Metabolic profile in cows in the peripartum period with and without retained placenta]. / Metabolický profil v peripartálním období u krav bez retence a s retencí sekundin.

Blood samples were taken and subjected to biochemical analysis in the crossbred cows of the Red-Pied, Black-Pied or Holstein-Friesian breed raised on a large farm under standard conditions, with the average annual milk yield of 4,300 kg milk, and divided into two groups--cows with afterbirth retention and without it; the samples were taken in the last period of pregnancy (since day 245), during parturition, and within the first 50 days post partum. In both groups, the values of acid-base balance and metabolic profile mostly ranged within the interval of reference values, nevertheless there were certain trends and differences in absolute values as well as in the dynamics of changes, but they did not always show a doubtless character and the same significance. The cows with afterbirth retention exhibited a trend of a more expressive decrease in partial pressure CO2, actual acid output and phosphorus level. Glucose level at the end of pregnancy was statistically significantly lower (P < 0.01), cholesterol level also decreased (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the cows with afterbirth retention had, at the end of pregnancy, statistically significantly higher concentrations of urea and creatinine (P < 0.05-0.01), a higher bilirubin level and enzyme activities of acid phosphatase, and particularly of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05-0.01). There were insignificant differences in the concentrations of total protein, calcium, magnesium and enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase and gammaglutamyl transferase.

[The effect of estrogens on phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes in heifers and cows]. / Vliv estrogenu na fagocytární aktivitu krevních leukocytu jalovic a krav.

Phagocytic activity of peripheral leucocytes (PA) was measured in heifers during the luteal phase and oestrus and after administration of various doses of oestradiol, in ovariectomized heifers and cows in the early post-partum period. PA was demonstrated in 22.63 +/- 2.49% and 50.61 +/- 3.76% of phagocytes in the luteal phase and oestrus respectively (P less than 0.01, Fig. 1). The phagocytic index (PI) rose parallelly from 2.26 +/- 0.31 to 6.55 +/- 0.64 particles per cell (Fig. 2). Intramuscular administration of a single dose 3 mg of oestradiol dipropionate resulted in an increase of PA from 28.93 +/- 3.34 to 69.60 +/- 3.32 on post-treatment day 3 (P less than 0.05, Fig. 3). A nonsignificant increase of PA was observed in heifers treated with 10 mg oestradiol. Increases of PA and PI in postparturient cows, treated with various doses of oestradiol, were nonsignificant (Fig. 5, 6) owing to a wide variance of the values obtained, which might be due to individual differences in endocrine and metabolic status or to uterine bacterial contamination. The most marked of haematological changes was the increase of eosinophil counts from 317 to 525.10(6).l-1 in a group of cows treated with 10 mg oestradiol and a decrease of the lymphocyte: neutrophil ratio (Tab. I). Both endogenous and exogenous oestrogens stimulate PA of peripheral leucocytes and 3 mg of oestradiol is a sufficient dose to obtain the effect.

[Enzymatic activity in the placenta in cows in relation to the course of parturition]. / Enzymatická aktivita v placentomech krav ve vztahu k prûbehu porodu.

The activity of aminopeptidases and cathepsins was determined in placentoma homogenates; placentomas of cows were extirpated immediately after parturition and in four and eight hours. In cows with afterbirth retention (a. r.) following induced parturition, the activity of these enzymes was always higher than in cows without a. r., no matter if after induced and spontaneous parturitions; it was at a similar or slightly higher level than in the eighth month of pregnancy. The content of total proteins in placentomas of cows with a. r. was also higher. These findings point to the insufficient ripening, or aging of placental tissue, which is related to a release of lysosomal enzymes. The enzymes are active through hydrolysis in the separation of foetal placenta from the maternal one and in the modification of proteins participating in intercellular linkages.

[Activity of the ovarian follicle system in cows with various puerperal courses]. / Aktivita folikulárního systému ovarií krav pri rozdílném prubehu puerperia.

The presence of the various categories of follicles (less than 0.05; 0.5-1.0; 1.0-1.5; less than 1.5 cm) in the ovaries was examined by palpation, endoscopically and post mortem in cows with a physiological puerperium (n = 5), with puerperal endometritis (n = 5), and with retention of afterbirth (RS, n = 5) from the second to the 20th day post partum (p.p.). The largest proportion (82.6%) of the smallest follicles (less than 0.5 cm) was recorded between the fourth and seventh day p.p. in clinically healthy cows; a marked decrease was then observed until the 15th day p.p. In cows with endometritis the proportion of the smallest follicles was only 60%. The average number of follicles 0.5 to 1.0 cm in size increased 1.6 times in the healthy cows between the 7th and 15th day p.p., but in cows with pathological puerperium their number declined. The largest follicles (greater than 1.5 cm) occurred in the cows with pathological puerperium as late as at the end of the period of study, whereas in healthy cows their occurrence was fairly frequent sooner--between the 8th and 11th day p.p. In all groups of cows the average number of follicles of all size groups declined until the 12th day p.p. which is an indication of the finished first growth wave. Occurrence of the first follicle larger than 1 cm in diameter was observed in 73.3% of cases in the contralateral ovary, opposite to the originally gravid uterine horn. It is assumed that delayed and asynchronous growth of follicles in cows with pathological puerperium is a consequence of disturbed repairing processes of endometrium and of endocrine dysfunction.

[Histology of the endometrium in cows in normal and pathologic puerperium]. / Histologie endometria krav v prubehu fyziologického a patologického puerperia.

There were repeated histological bioptic examinations of the endometrium during the period from the second to twentieth day post partum (p.p.) in cows with afterbirth retention (n = 5), with developing puerperal endometritis (n = 5), and with a physiological course of puerperium (n = 5). In cows with a physiological course of puerperium, a finished process of epithelization of endometrium with a morphological and functional consolidation of the epithelium could be observed on the 20th day p.p. In cows with disturbed puerperium, the surface epithelium still exhibited signs of disintegration and a low secretion activity. The endometria of both groups of cows with pathological puerperium had a high degree of infiltration with neutrophil granulocytes: in cows with retained afterbirth this picture was characteristic already the second day p.p. On the other hand, the endometrium of cows with physiological puerperium was characterized by a higher occurrence of folliculoid nodules as early as on the tenth day p.p., and a rapid increase in the number of fat cells and activated histiocytes--macrophages could be observed in the endometrium of these cows between the 15th and 20th day p.p. The dynamics of occurrence of mobile cells in the studied groups of cows confirmed their importance for a physiological course of the restitution of endometrium during the puerperium of cows.

[Levels of progesterone, 17 beta-estradiol and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid in the blood in cows in different types of puerperal conditions]. / Koncentrace progesteronu, 17 beta-estradiolu a 11-hydroxykortikosteroidü v krevní plazme krav pri rozdílném prubehu puerperia.

Changes in progesterone (P4), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid (11-OHCS) concentrations in blood plasma were determined in daily intervals from the day of parturition to day 15 post partum (p.p.) in cows with physiological puerperium (n = 8), with puerperal endometritis (n = 6), and with placenta retention (n = 6). Cows with puerperium disorders (endometritis, placenta retention) had significantly higher P4 levels in the period from day 3 to day 7 p.p. than cows with physiological puerperium. E2 concentrations decreased to basal values following the parturition in cows with spontaneous parturitions and subsequent expulsion of the placenta. A delayed decrease in E2 concentrations after parturition and a significant increase on day 5 and day 7 p.p. were recorded in the group of animals with placenta retention. Significantly higher levels of 11-OHCS in blood plasma were detected by day 5 or by day 8 p.p. in cows with placenta retention and puerperal endometritis. Extraovarial sources of sexual steroids resulting in endocrine malfunctions are discussed as well as likely consequences for puerperium.

[Histologic and histochemical study of placentomes in cows after induced labor]. / Histologické a histochemické vysetrení placentomu krav pri indukovaných porodech.

The placentomes were extirpated from 16 cows after parturition induced with 750 micrograms cloprostenol or 20 mg dexamethasone on the 277th day of gravidity, on an average, from 9 cows after spontaneous parturition, and from 7 cows after hysterectomy in the eighth month of gravidity. In the cows with induced calving the foetal placenta was not expelled within 12 hours after calving in 68.7% of the cases whereas in the spontaneous parturitions this proportion was only 22.2% of cases. The placentomes obtained immediately after calf expulsion, and then after four and eight hours, were subjected to histological and histochemical examination. In the terminal crypts of the placentome in cross sections obtained from cows which expelled the placenta in time after natural and induced parturitions, the number of binuclear cells of the fetal syncytium and of cells of the dam epithelium (P less than 0.001) was found to be significantly lower than in the cases of afterbirth retention (1.2 and 3.9; 6.4 and 18.5). The cells of the cow's epithelium of the expelled placentae had a higher activity of acid phosphatase and lipids and the foetal syncytium had a higher activity of non-specific esterase. Increased alkaline phosphatase activity was characteristic of the cow's epithelium in the cases of subsequent retention of afterbirth. These findings should be taken into account in efforts for developing new methods of the induction of parturition if the undesired occurrence of afterbirth retention is to be reduced.

[Changes in selected biochemical indicators in blood serum in anestrous gilts]. / Zmeny vybraných biochemických ukazatelu krevního séra u anestrických prasnicek.

The biochemical profile [levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chlorides and iron, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the concentrations of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, urea, glucose, and vitamins A and E] was studied in the blood serum of 40 anoestrous and 40 control inseminated animals in a production herd with an increased occurrence of anoestrus in gilts. The anoestrous gilts showed significantly lower levels of albumin (P less than 0.01) and glucose (P less than 0.01) and ALP activity (P less than 0.05), and significantly higher concentrations of urea (P less than 0.01), vitamin A (P less than 0.01) and vitamin E (P less than 0.05) and ALT activity (P less than 0.05), as compared with the inseminated controls. An extended enzymatological examination consisting of the evaluation of the activities of ALP, AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GMT) was performed in another set of 22 anoestrous and 20 mated gilts. The anoestrous gilts showed a statistically significant increase in the activities of AST (P less than 0.01), GMT (P less than 0.01) and ALT (P less than 0.05) and an insignificant increase in the activity of ALP in comparison with the control animals. The comparison of the obtained values of the studied biochemical criteria with literary data indicated a lower concentration of magnesium and a higher ALP and ALT activities in the anoestrous and inseminated gilts in both groups under study. A high acidity of fat and a medium to high fungus infestation (Mucor sp., Aspergillus sp.) were found by chemical and mycological examination of the administered feed mixtures. The histological examination of the ovaries of anoestrous animals showed cystically degenerative changes, proliferations of fibrous elements, and partial atrophy of ovarial cortex. It has been inferred from the observations that mycotoxins may be involved in the increase in the occurrence of anoestrus, either by a direct effect on sexual organs or by impairing the function of liver which, secondarily contributes to the rise of ovarial dysfunctions.