Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Alexa Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Konstantinova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Sramkova-Zajacova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Faecal shedding of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in cattle in the Czech Republic Abstract: A survey to estimate the prevalence of verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) or enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) in rectal swabs from healthy dairy cattle aged three weeks, three months and one year was conducted in three herds from the Czech Republic. Screening for the presence of the stx1, stx2 and eaeA genes in faecal swab cultures was performed by PCR, and in positive samples, isolated colonies were examined. Immunomagnetic separation was used for the isolation of the VTEC serogroup O157 from samples. VTEC were detected in animals from all three herds under study. In the group of 3-week-old calves, VTEC were only detected in samples collected in the summer months. However, in the other age-groups, VTEC were detected in both the summer and winter months. EHEC shedding was observed in 30 to 100% of the total samples collected from cattle aged three months and one year in the summer months, and in 30 to 60% of samples taken in the winter months. EHEC strains of serogroup O157 were detected in two herds. The range of verotoxins shed by VTEC isolates of serogroup O157 differed between herds. Besides serogroup O157, additional EHEC belonging to the antigen groups O26, O103, O128 and O153 have been identified, and in some of them, no somatic antigen was detected. Keywords: verotoxin, shiga-toxin, VTEC, EHEC, STEC Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 149-155 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3152-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3152-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3152-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Warzych Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: A. Cieslak Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: P. Pawlak Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: N. Renska Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: E. Pers-Kamczyc Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: D. Lechniak Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Title: Maternal nutrition affects the composition of follicular fluid and transcript content in gilt oocytes Abstract: Metabolomics focused on reproduction have been the subject of special interest in the past decade. Metabolite profiling provides detailed information on the status of follicular fluid and follicular cells which accompany the growing oocyte. Although nutrients present in the diet reach oocytes via the follicular fluid, it is not evident whether oocyte/embryo quality can be predicted based on the follicular fluid composition. Since this phenomenon has not yet been investigated in the pig, the aim of the present study was to investigate associations between diet composition and (1) selected markers related to developmental potential of oocytes (brilliant cresyl blue - BCB test, relative transcript abundance of EEF1A1 and ATP5A1 marker genes) and (2) fatty acid profile in the follicular fluid. Gilts were fed control and experimental diets which differed in composition and fatty acid profiles. The experimental diet used in this study comprised mainly locally grown grains (barley and rye) traditionally used for fattening pigs in Poland. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from individual pairs of ovaries after animal slaughter, evaluated morphologically and subjected to the BCB test. Relative transcript abundance for the two marker genes was monitored by real-time PCR in oocytes of both categories (BCB+ and BCB-). Fatty acid profile in follicular fluid was analyzed by gas chromatography. We show that the experimental diet rich in n-3 fatty acid significantly influences fatty acid composition of the follicular fluid. The fatty acid profile of the follicular fluid of gilts fed the experimental diet differed from that of the control females. The content of saturated fatty acids was higher in the experimental group, whereas unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were more abundant in the control group (P < 0.05). With regard to individual fatty acids, only C16:0 (palmitic acid), C18:2n-6 (linoleic acid) and C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid) differed significantly. The abundance of ATP5A1 mRNA was influenced neither by diet composition nor by oocyte category (BCB+/BCB-) whereas that of the EEF1A1 was affected by both factors. Since higher mRNA level of the EEF1A1 gene was noted in BCB+ oocytes this may be considered as a marker of oocyte quality in the pig. Keywords: fatty acids, BCB test, pig, EEF1A1, ATP5A1 Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 156-167 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/1573-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1573-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:1573-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M.C.M. Couto Author-Workplace-Name: Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: S. Quinelato Author-Workplace-Name: Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: F.C. Cordeiro Author-Workplace-Name: Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Author-Name: I.B.M. Sampaio Author-Workplace-Name: Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil Author-Name: M.L.A. Rodrigues Author-Workplace-Name: Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Title: Migratory dynamics of cyathostomin larvae in a Bermuda grass pasture in South America Abstract: Studies of the migratory dynamics of cyathostomin infective larvae (L3) in different seasons and with two types of irrigation were carried out over 12 months (September 2006 to September 2007) in the subtropical climate of the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Four faecal masses weighing 500 g each from naturally infected horses were placed in a Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pasture in the beginning of each season. Samples of faeces and grass were collected every 15 days until the end of each season. The highest recovery in faeces occured in Autumn (491 910 L3/kg dried herbage) and in pasture was achieved in Winter (9 963 L3/kg dried herbage). The lowest number of infective larvae recovered from faeces (55 100 L3/kg dried herbage) and pastures (2 188 L3/kg dried herbage) were achieved in Spring. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference in infective larvae recovery between the seasons. The collection time of the samples did not affect the larva recovery. The results suggest that in the conditions of the region studied, animals maintained in pasture are at permanent risk of infection. Keywords: Keywords: Cyathostominae, infective larvae, irrigation, seasons Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 168-172 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3146-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3146-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3146-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Giorgi Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Clinics Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy Author-Name: G. Mengozzi Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Clinics Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy Title: Malicious animal intoxications: poisoned baits Abstract: Data of toxicological analyses for baits carried out in the Laboratory of Toxicology of the Department of Veterinary Clinics (University of Pisa) over a 10-year period are summarized. The 508 lures have been grouped according to their preparation features. This classification has generated six classes: (1) baits prepared with discarded or out-of-date food; (2) laborious and original/particular baits; (3) baits containing more than one toxic substance; (4) baits containing non-toxic material; (5) baits prepared with non-food material and (6) in vivo baits. The most commonly detected toxic substances in baits were organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides (48%), anticoagulant rodenticides (18%), zinc phosphide (12%), strychnine (9%), metaldehyde (8%) and others (5%). This survey shows that in Italy, the deliberate misuse or abuse of toxic substances intended to kill domestic animals, is very common and still far from being eradicated. Elaboration of a complex strategy, involving authorities as well as veterinarians and citizens, is the first step to defeat this harmful practice. Keywords: poisoned baits, veterinary toxicology, suspicious death, poisoning, lures Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 173-179 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3148-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3148-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3148-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Ondruska Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Luzianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: J. Rafay Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Luzianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: A.B. Okab Author-Workplace-Name: King Saud University, Colleges of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: M.A. Ayoub Author-Workplace-Name: Suez Canal University, Departments of Animal Production, Ismailia, Egypt Author-Name: A.A. Al-Haidary Author-Workplace-Name: King Saud University, Colleges of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: E.M. Samara Author-Workplace-Name: King Saud University, Colleges of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: V. Parkanyi Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Luzianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: L. Chrastinova Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Luzianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: R. Jurcik Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Luzianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: P. Massanyi Author-Workplace-Name: Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: N. Lukac Author-Workplace-Name: Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: P. Supuka Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary Medicine, Kosice, Slovak Republic Title: Influence of elevated ambient temperature upon some physiological measurements of New Zealand White rabbits Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress (i.e., elevated ambient temperature - Ta; 36 °C ± 3 °C) on growth performance, mortality rate, and on some haematological and biochemical parameters in different categories of gender and age of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Animals were divided into two main groups (control and treatment), in each group there were 56 rabbits: adult females (n = 20), adult males (n = 4), growing females (n = 16), and growing males (n = 16). Results revealed that total and daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and total and daily gain in body weight for growing NZW rabbits were affected negatively by elevated Ta. Decreases in feed intake led to less protein biosyntheses and less fat deposition, which led to lower body weight gain. These observations were made in growing and adult rabbits of both genders. Analysis showed that red blood cell (RBC) counts showed alterations. Packed cell volume (PCV) (in adult females and males), white blood cell (WBC) counts (in growing females), lymphocytes (in growing males), monocytes (in growing females and adult males), basophils (in growing females and growing and adult males) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased, and total proteins (TP) (in adult females), glucose (Glu) (in adult females), and calcium (Ca2+) (in growing males and females) were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the experimental group. Furthermore, elevated Ta increased the mortality rate (MR) in both age groups. The mortality rate was 30.36% for growing and adult rabbits of the experimental group, compared with 7.14% for the control group, and was 25% for adult compared with 34.38% for growing experimental rabbits. Exposure of NZW rabbits of both ages and genders to elevated ambient temperature (36°C ± 3 °C), negatively affected their internal homeostasis which was reflected in their growth rate and various physiological signs. Keywords: rabbits, heat stress, growth performance, mortality rate, physiology, biochemistry Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 180-186 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3150-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3150-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3150-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Seliskar Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: A. Nemec Svete Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: M. Kozelj Author-Workplace-Name: University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Title: Haemodynamic and renal effects of resuscitation of dogs from haemorrhagic shock with hypertonic saline or Lactated Ringer's solution combined with whole blood Abstract: Despite numerous studies on haemorrhagic shock treatment, the choice of fluid and the rate of administration is a subject of controversy. Early haemodynamic effects, neuroendocrine response and renal function following acute sodium load with either hypertonic saline (HS) or Lactated Ringer's (LRS) were investigated in a model of controlled haemorrhagic shock. Six anaesthetized dogs were bled 30% of calculated blood volume, i.e., 27 ml/kg b.w. over 15 min and left untreated for 30 min. Afterward, the dogs were treated with either HS 4 ml/kg b.w. or LRS 81 ml/kg b.w., followed by whole blood. After a resting period of at least 30 days, the dogs underwent a similar second shock experiment, but with the second solution. Haemodynamics, renal effects and neuroendocrine response were studied during shock and at 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after administration of HS or LRS and 30 and 60 min after the addition of whole blood. LRS treatment resulted in significantly higher cardiac filling pressures and cardiac performance indexes than HS but, following whole blood administration, there were no differences between treatments, except that pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was higher in the LRS group. Urinary output and glomerular filtration rate index were restored to normal values by both treatments; however, they were significantly higher in the LRS group until whole blood was administered. LRS and HS restored plasma norepinephrine to baseline values with no difference between the treatments. Both solutions improved haemodynamics and renal function but their effects were short lived and whole blood was required for a favourable outcome, regardless of the initial solution used. In contrast to LRS, HS did not overload the cardiovascular system. Keywords: haemorrhagic shock, fluid therapy, dog, haemodynamics, renal function, norepinephrine Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 187-201 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3149-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3149-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3149-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Erdogan Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey Title: Distribution of the arterial supply to the lower urinary tract in the domestic tom-cat (Felis catus) Abstract: This study was aimed at determining the arterial supply and gross vascular architecture of the urinary bladder in the male cat. For this purpose, the urinary bladders of 10 cats were evaluated. Organ vascularization was investigated using the latex injection technique. The feline urinary bladder was found to be supplied by the prostatic artery, which stemmed from the internal pudendal artery and the umbilical artery that originated from the internal iliac artery. The umbilical artery extended caudally to form the cranial vesical artery, which was later distributed into the corpus and apex of the urinary bladder. The feline prostatic artery divided into the artery of the deferent duct and a slim branch, which supplied the prostate gland. The artery of the deferent duct gave off a caudal vesical artery which gave off slim branches to the preprostatic urethra. On the surfaces of the urinary bladders examined, the cranial and caudal vesical arteries followed varying courses, which reflected individual variations. In all samples, the blood vessels generally divided into two or three branches on the surface of the urinary bladder, whilst in only one sample, the caudal vesical artery was observed to be of the ladder type. Moreover, the cranial and caudal vesical arteries anastomosed with each other on the surface of the urinary bladder. This study constitutes a model for comparison with other species and provides morphological contributions to anatomy training and surgical interventions since there is a lack of literature on species-specific vascular morphology in the field of veterinary urology in contrast to the abundance of studies on humans and rodents. Keywords: arterial supply, urinary bladder, tom-cat Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 202-208 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3147-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3147-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3147-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Slavica Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: D. Dezdek Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: D. Konjevic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: Z. Cvetnic Author-Workplace-Name: Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: M. Sindicic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: D. Stanin Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: J. Habus Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: N. Turk Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Title: Prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population of Croatia Abstract: Over a period of five years (2005-2010) a total of 358 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) serum samples were collected during regular hunting procedures, mostly in the continental part of Croatia. All samples were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the presence of specific antibodies (Ab) to 12 Leptospira spp. pathogenic serovars. Specific antibodies for 11 different Leptospira spp. serovars (Australis, Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Saxkoebing, Grippotyphosa, Tarassovi, Ballum, Pomona, Poi, Batavie, and Canicola) were detected in 121 red fox serum samples (33.8%). Among the positive samples antibodies for serovar Australis were found most frequently (32.1%), followed by Abs for serovar Sejroe (18.2%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae (13.2%). The highest Ab titre (1 : 3200) was recorded for serovar Australis and together with serovars Sejroe and Icterohaemorrhagiae this serovar showed a statistically significant frequency in cross-reactions (recorded in 23.1% cases). High Ab titres for serovars Grippotyphosa and Tarassovi (1 : 800) were detected for the first time in red foxes from the continental part of Croatia. The significant percentage (≍ 35%) of seropositive reactions to Leptospira spp. serovars implies the presence of pathogenic agents in the natural habitats of red foxes in Croatian low-land territories. The high Ab prevalence for specific serovars (Australis and Sejroe) detected in the fox population suggests predator-prey chain transmission of leptospirosis between red foxes and small terrestrial mammals, whilst the high Ab prevalence for serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae indicates an occasional contact of red foxes with rats. Red foxes can be thought of as susceptible hosts for serovars Australis and Sejroe and a possible link in leptospirosis transmission to other wild carnivores such as martens, weasels and ferrets. In contrast, this serologic survey revealed no evidence of serovar Canicola interchange between domestic carnivores (dogs) and red foxes. It can be concluded that red foxes are reliable sentinels for the epidemiological monitoring of leptospirosis, especially in lowland habitats. Keywords: red fox, Leptospira spp., serology, Croatia Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 209-213 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3151-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3151-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201104-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:56:y:2011:i:4:id:3151-VETMED