[Changes in metabolic indicators in cattle by season of the year]. / Zmeny metabolických ukazatelu u skotu v prubehu rocních období.

The study was aimed at informing about the results of metabolic trials in large cattle stocks for the period from 1977 to 1980, particularly in view of the dynamics of changes in different metabolic parameters in each year season. The histogram method of statistical evaluation was used. Attention is drawn to the prevailing risk factors in each season and it is possible to investigate the general trend of the rise of new metabolic disorders, or suppression of older ones, in large cattle stocks. The risk metabolic factors of each season can be derived from the results. The summer season is characterized by the tendency to metabolic and respiratory acidosis, by the highest elimination of calcium combined with potassium stress, and by a lack of sodium ions. In the autumn the animals show a more pronounced form of metabolic and respiratory acidosis, not always sufficiently compensated; the liver is overloaded, there is a tendency to hypocalcaemia, and ketosis occurs more frequently, often very pronounced. In winter the acid-base balance of blood improved, acidosis is compensated more intensively by the renal route, calcium is increasingly eliminated in the urine, the overload on liver function is at its maximum, and ketosis occurs most frequently. The spring findings included increased elimination of calcium with the urine, the lowest Ca X P product over the whole year (this is in a high correlation with the higher activities of the ALP enzyme). the highest load of nitrogen compounds and worsened haemogenesis. It can be stated that the mentioned results represent some improvement in the metabolic profile as compared with earlier studies. The situation in enzyme activities can be regarded as a factor of deterioration: high activities of alkaline phosphatase documenting a tension in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, and increasing occurrence of chronical overloading of liver function, particularly in winter.

[Gamma-glutamyltransferase in the blood of cattle]. / Aktivita enzymu gamma-glutamyltransferáza (gMT) v krvi skotu.

Information is given on a long-term observation of gMT activities in the blood of cattle, aimed at using the results to interpret metabolic tests, especially tests of the function of liver. Dynamics of changes in the gMT activities was studied in the year seasons and the per cent activities in the decades (from 20 to 100 U per 1) in different groups of cows according to their reproduction cycle. In the part discussion relationships are given between the gMT activities and other findings obtained from metabolic tests. The average value of the gMT activities in the blood of a reference group of cows was 30.7 U per 1. The standard deviation was 7.01 U per 1. Reference limits for the gMT activities in the bovine blood serum - 16.7 to 44.7 U per 1 (95% interval of confidence) could be determined by a parametric statistical method. Average deviations of the gMT activities from those in the reference group of cows, expressed in histogram units J, ranged from 0.03 to 1.07 J after a long-term observation in particular calendar months. The maximum positive deviations were observed in January, June, July, November and they indicate the risk period, in August and September the values nearly approached those in the reference group of cows. The maximum positive deviation of the metabolic test amounted to 6.8 J (January). There were eight metabolic tests with the deviation greater than 1 J during the observation, two in the summer period (May--October) and six in the winter period (November-April). In cows after calving and in the first half of gravidity the gMT activities were most frequently in the decade 30.5-40.0 U per 1, and in highly pregnant cows in the decade 20.5-30.0 U per 1.

[Metabolic indicators in cows from herds with healthy and diseased calves]. / Metabolické ukazatele u krav ve stádech se zdravými a nemocnými telaty.

Attention is drawn to some risk factors that may appear in cows as a result of metabolic disorders in large cattle stocks, thus implying a hazard for the health of calves. The mutual relationships of these factors were studied in four categories of animals: l) cows after calving with clinically healthy calves (62 cows), 2) cows after calving with diseased calves (63 cows), 3) highly pregnant cows from herds without clinically diseased calves (66 cows), 4) highly pregnant cows in herds with diseased calves (123 cows). The metabolic studies in the cows included the determination of 22 parameters of blood biochemistry, haematology, and urinary biochemistry. Comparisons were performed between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 3 and 4, in which the occurrence rate of pathological values was determined in all parameters, followed by the determination of statistical significance levels. The health disorders of the cows were examined on the basis of clinical and anamnestic data, and included mainly: still-born calves, post-partal calf mortality, poor viability, diarrhoea, enteritis. The following metabolic factors in cows are regarded as assuming the highest risks for the health of calves: alkalosis, calcium, and phosphosrus metabolism disorders, hypomagnesemia, sodium and potassium metabolism disorders, hepatic derangements, water metabolism disorders, ketoses. The relationship and biochemical continuity between the risk factors are discussed.

[Evaluation and comparison of acid-base findings obtained using the partial and Astrup's technic in cattle]. / Vyhodnocení a porovnáni acidobazických nálezu u skotu, získaných parciální a Astrupovou metodou.

The aim of the study was to compare the acid-base (AB-) findings in cattle obtained parallelly by the equilibration method after Astrup and the partial method (titration determination of total carbon dioxide in blood plasma) and at the same time to determine pH, net acid-base exudate in urine and the specific weight of urine. Altogether we made 65 parallel examinations in three groups of cows according to phases of reproduction. In 70.8% of cases correlation between the two results was very good or good, however under the condition that in many cases it was necessary to know also blood pH for the employment of the partial method. Without the knowledge of the blood pH good correlation would be obtained only in 33.8% of all cases. The partial method does not provide satisfactory results mainly in diagnosing respiratory disturbances and in determining compensatory degree of acid-base disturbances. We analysed two alternative values for the top, reference limit of vol. % CO2 in plasma: 60.0 or 55.0. The results imply that from the aspect of correct partial method interpretation it is more accurate to use the value 60.0. A high interpretation correlation between pH and net acid-base urine exudate was also confirmed and that independent urine pH values may be used in a complex acid-base examination to obtain acid-base findings. The representation of the basic types of acid-base disturbances indicates that metabolical acidoses are most frequent in highly pregnant cows (36.9%) mostly without proved compensation. The largest proportion of normal acid-base findings (43.4%) was determined in cows after calving in which also the compensatory mechanisms were most often activated. In connection with these findings the possibilities of impaired health of calves are discussed.