Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Pribylova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Ptacek Author-Workplace-Name: Potato Research Institute Ltd., Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Pavlik Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Bartos Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Screening of Solanum tuberosum cultivars for the "ac2" genetic modification Abstract: In 2001, genetically modified potatoes carrying the ac2 gene were developed. This gene was originally found in amaranth seeds (Amaranthus caudatus) and is expressed into the fungicidal peptide Ac-AMP2. The purpose of the present study was to test 105 potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum) registered in the Czech Republic for the presence of the above mentioned genetic modification "ac2" with the use of a previously published method (Pribylova et al., 2006). The method was based on the simultaneous detection of the ac2 gene from amaranth seeds as well as the StTS1 gene from potatoes as an internal amplification control. The results showed none of tested potatoes cultivars were positive for the genetic modification "ac2". These results confirmed the currently valid legislative in the Czech Republic and the European Union, where the use of genetically modified potatoes carrying the gene for the fungicidal peptide from amaranth is not allowed, was respected. Keywords: GMO, transgenic potato, food safety, Amaranthus caudatus, antimicrobial peptide Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 471-474 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2066-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2066-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2066-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: C. Werner-Misof Author-Workplace-Name: Physiology Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany Author-Name: M.W. Pfaffl Author-Workplace-Name: Physiology Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany Author-Name: H.H.D. Meyer Author-Workplace-Name: Physiology Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany Author-Name: R.M. Bruckmaier Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Title: Effect of chronic oxytocin-treatment on the bovine mammary gland immune system Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic oxytocin (OT) treatment on the mammary gland immune system. In Experiment I fourteen healthy cows were used to study the effect of chronic intramuscular (im) OT administration on concentration of milk somatic cells and white blood cells (WBC). Cows in the OT-group (6) were im injected with 50 IU OT (5 ml) whereas animals of the C-group (6) were im injected with 5 ml of saline (9 g/l) for eight days (Day 1-8) before each milking. Milk samples were taken during normal milking time on Day 0-3, 5, 7, 9-11 and 18. Blood samples were taken immediately after each milking and analysed for WBC count, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, potassium (K), sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions, and blood lactose. All milk samples were analysed for somatic cell counts (SCC), lactose, Na, Cl and electrical conductivity (EC). Furthermore mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) in milk cells were measured via real-time RT-PCR. None of the investigated milk and blood parameters changed significantly in response to the OT treatment. The mRNA-expression of TNFα decreased (P < 0.05) to a minimum on Day 3 in response to OT administration. IL-1β and IL-6-mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.05) to a minimum within three day. IL-8 and COX2 expression did not change in response to OT treatment. In Experiment II twelve cows, randomly divided into two groups of six, were used to investigate the effect of chronic im OT administration on mammary tissue. Cows were im administered 50 IU OT (OT-group) or 5 ml saline (9 g/l; C-group) before each milking during eight days. Biopsy samples were taken after every morning milking. The mRNA expression of various inflammatory factors and the tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3 were measured via real-time RT-PCR. TNFα-mRNA expression decreased (Day 2 with P < 0.05) within the first four days of OT administration and increased (P < 0.05) in the C-group on Day 2. IL-1β expression levels of the OT-group increased transiently and decreased on Day 3 and in the C-group values increased significantly on Day 3 as compared to Day 0. IL-6 expression in the OT-group decreased (P < 0.05) to a minimum on Day 1 and increased (P < 0.05) as compared to Day 0 on Day 7 and increased significantly on Day 1 and Day 5 compared to Day 0 in group C. IL-8 and COX2 expression did not change in response to OT administration. The mRNA-expression of OCLN and ZO-3 decreased (P < 0.05) as compared to Day 0 with a minimum on Day 7. ZO-1 and ZO-2 expression did not change due to OT administration. ZO-2-mRNA expression in C-group decreased significantly on Day 2 compared to Day 0. In conclusion, chronic OT administration induced increasing SCC and EC levels in milk as well as K and lactose in blood while nearly all investigated cytokines in milk cells and mammary tissue were down regulated. The mRNA expressions of the TJ proteins OCLN and ZO-3 were down-regulated in response to the OT treatment what indicates an increasing TJ permeability. Besides the effect on TJ proteins there was no obvious change of the immunological competence of the mammary gland in response to OT. However, a more complete milk ejection should help to remove pathogens during milking. Keywords: mastitis, oxytocin, cattle Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 475-486 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2059-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2059-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2059-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M.G. Doherr Author-Workplace-Name: Department Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Author-Name: M. Roesch Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Author-Name: W. Schaeren Author-Workplace-Name: Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux (ALP) Research Station for Animal Production and Dairy Products, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland Author-Name: M. Schallibaum Author-Workplace-Name: Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux (ALP) Research Station for Animal Production and Dairy Products, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland Author-Name: J.W. Blum Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Title: Risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in dairy cows on Swiss organic and conventional production system farms Abstract: Epidemiological studies comparing risk factors for subclinical mastitis (SM) in organic (OP) and conventional dairy production systems (CP) are lacking. In 60 OP and 60 CP farms, 970 cows were used to study risk factors for SM at 31 days postpartum. Cows showing a positive (≥ 1+) California Mastitis Test (CMT) in at least one quarter, but without clinical symptoms, were classified SM-positive. For OP cows increased (P < 0.05) odds ratios (OR) for SM were found for other than Simmental and Simmental × Red Holstein breeds, for increasing number (> 27) of cattle on the farm, for the use of mineral feed supplements, for irregular milking intervals (< 12 and > 12 h/day), and for milk urea concentrations of 210.1-270 mg/dl, whereas decreased OR for SM were recorded for cows kept in barns on beddings other than on rubber mats or concrete, for farms with rinsing water temperatures of milking systems between 54.75 and 60°C, for milk lactose > 50.5 g/l, and for blood albumin levels of ł 38.5 g/l. For cows on CP farms, increased (P < 0.05) OR for SM were found for other than Simmental ´ Red Holstein and Simmental breeds, for a bedding area width of > 117 cm, and for antibiotic mastitis treatment since the last dry period, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) OR for SM were found for farms with a moderate (in contrast to good) hygiene status and for routine application of antibiotics during the dry period. Observed differences between OP and CP were assumed to be partially related to system-specific management, such as antibiotic dry cow therapy, nutrition and milking routine. Keywords: subclinical mastitis, organic farms, risk factors, cows Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 487-495 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2060-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2060-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2060-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Nebola Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: G. Borilova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Steinhauserova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Prevalence of Campylobacter subtypes in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus spp. torquatus) in the Czech Republic Abstract: At the turn of 2005 and 2006, cecal samples from 302 pheasants, from two flocks from a farm with intensive production, and from 200 wild birds were collected. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in the intestinal contents of pheasants from the farm was 70.20%. 50.47% of isolated strains were identified as C. coli and 41.40% as C. jejuni. In samples from wild pheasants, positive cultivation of Campylobacter spp. was proven in 27.5% of cases. A total of 15 PFGE subtypes were noted among the Campylobacter spp. isolates. C. jejuni strains could be divided into 16 fla-RFLP subtypes. No PFGE profile specific for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, was found. When comparing wild birds with farmed pheasants, there were eight possible combinations of PCR/RFLP and PFGE subtypes in wild birds and 40 combinations in farmed pheasants. No preferred combination of both subtypes was detected and all combinations were randomly ordered. To determine the significance of pheasants as a source of C. jejuni infection in humans, the RFLP and PFGE patterns of pheasant isolates are currently being compared with those of isolates from diarrheic patients. Keywords: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, PCR/RFLP, PFGE Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 496-501 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2063-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2063-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2063-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Klimes Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Dezorzova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Smola Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Husnik Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic Title: Prevalence of antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis in dogs with and without gastrointestinal disease Abstract: Blood sera from 71 dogs were examined for specific IgG antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. The dogs were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of gastrointestinal disease, which could potentially be associated with L. intracellularis. In the group of dogs with gastrointestinal disease (n = 54), 40 dogs were positive (74.1%). Most positive dogs suffered from chronic or intermittent diarrhoea. In the group without signs of primary gastrointestinal disease (n = 17), antibodies were found in 13 dogs (76.5%). The overall positivity was 74.7%. These results indicate that dogs may be an important host species of L. intracellularis. Keywords: canine, intracellular bacteria, diarrhoea, indirect immunofluorescence, serology Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 502-506 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2062-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2062-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2062-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Trnkova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Knotkova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Hrda Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Knotek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the blood profile in the green iguana (Iguana iguana) Abstract: A total of 20 healthy green iguanas (14 males and six females with body weight ranging from 280 to 720 g) were divided into three groups and used for the experiment. Carprofen (2.0 mg/kg, i.m.) was administered to seven iguanas for 10 days, five were treated with meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg, i.m.) for the same period, and eight iguanas received the same volume of saline solution (0.04 ml/kg). All iguanas were blood sampled on Day 1 and 11 to obtain haematological and biochemical parameters. Comparing the values within particular groups, a decrease in haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume accompanied by an increase in azurophils (P < 0.05) was observed in iguanas treated with carprofen. Decreased values of haemoglobin and packed cell volume were also found in control iguanas (P < 0.05). Increased ALT levels (P < 0.01) were found in all three groups of iguanas. A decrease in the concentration of Ca (P < 0.01) was observed both in meloxicam-treated iguanas and in the control ones. Mean ALT values of carprofen-treated iguanas (2.42 ± 0.52 μkat/l) were considerably higher (P < 0.01) than those in iguanas treated with meloxicam (0.49 ± 0.18 μkat/l) or saline (0.43 ± 0.13 μkat/l). Repeated doses of carprofen induced higher levels of AST (0.82 ± 0.26 μkat/l) compared with saline (P < 0.01, 0.31 ± 0.16 μkat/l) or meloxicam (P < 0.05, 0.38 ± 0.16 μkat/l). All blood parameters of green iguanas following the 10-day intramuscular administration of both carprofen and meloxicam were within the physiological reference values of this species.within the physiological reference values of this species. Keywords: meloxicam, carprofen, reptiles, haematology, plasma chemistry Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 507-511 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2061-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2061-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2061-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z. Knotek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Jekl Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: G.M. Dorrestein Author-Workplace-Name: Dutch Research Institute for Birds and Exotic Animals, Veldhoven, Netherlands Author-Name: S. Blahak Author-Workplace-Name: Staatliches Veterinaruntersuchungsamt, Detmold, Germany Author-Name: Z. Knotkova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Presumptive viral infections in captive populations of Boa constrictor in the Czech Republic Abstract: The aim of this study was to present outbreaks of infections with presumptive viral aetiology in boid snakes kept in different private collections in the Czech Republic. A total number of 16 boid snakes (Boa constrictor) from five private snake collections were included in this study. The patients exhibited neurological depression, dehydration, chronic anorexia, recurrent regurgitation of food, weak muscle tone and stargazing. The blood profile of patients was characterised by extremely low haematocrit. Hyperuricaemia, hypoglycaemia and/or high concentration of phosphorus were measured in some snakes, but not in all patients. All examined faecal samples were negative for the presence of any species of protozoan parasites as well as for eggs of metazoan parasites. Antibodies against the ophidian paramyxovirus in serum samples were determined by a haemagglutination-inhibition assay. This serologic assay was in the suspect range in one snake. Samples of different tissues from snakes that died or were euthanised were collected for necropsy and prepared for a histological examination. Histology results indicated IBD at least in six snakes, basophilic intracytoplasmatic inclusion bodies were detected in the liver, kidneys, lungs, intestine, stomach, hearth, spleen and pancreas of these patients. More specific assays are needed for the clinical diagnosis and control of viral infections in reptilian breeding collections. Keywords: reptiles, snakes, paramyxovirus, inclusion body disease Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 512-520 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2064-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2064-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2064-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: F. Jelinek Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Histopathological Laboratory, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Barton Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Clinic of Small Animals, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Posekana Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Clinic of Small Animals, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Hasonova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic Title: Gynaecomastia in a tom-cat caused by cyproterone acetate: a case report Abstract: The contribution demonstrates gynaecomastia in an adult, noncastrated tom-cat, caused by an antiandrogenic preparation Androcur tablets (Schering AG, BRD), administrated at the dose of 5 mg/day for one week. Two months after the treatment, the enlargement of all mammary glands was apparent and one month later (i.e. three months after the end of drug administration) the mammary chains reached the size of 30 × 15 × 20 cm. The general health state of the animal was altered due to the conspicuous enlargement and inflammation of mammary glands. Radical mastectomy was done under general anaesthesia using Isoflurane Rhone-Poulenc inh. The weight of the extirpated mammary chains was 1.75 kg. The healing of operative wounds and convalescence occurred without complications. Fibroepithelial hyperplasia of mammary glands was diagnosed histologically. Keywords: tom-cat, gynaecomastia, Androcur Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 521-525 Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2065-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2065-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200711-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:52:y:2007:i:11:id:2065-VETMED