Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Necas Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Bartosikova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic Title: Carrageenan: a review Abstract: Carrageenan is a natural carbohydrate (polysaccharide) obtained from edible red seaweeds. The name Carrageenan is derived from the Chondrus crispus species of seaweed known as Carrageen Moss or Irish Moss in England, and Carraigin in Ireland. Carraigin has been used in Ireland since 400 AD as a gelatin and as a home remedy to cure coughs and colds. It grows along the coasts of North America and Europe. Carrageenans are used in a variety of commercial applications as gelling, thickening, and stabilising agents, especially in food products and sauces. Aside from these functions, carrageenans are used in experimental medicine, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and industrial applications. Keywords: carrageenan, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, biological activity Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 187-205 Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6758-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6758-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201304-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:58:y:2013:i:4:id:6758-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Krejci Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Nechvatalova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Blahutkova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Faldyna Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The respiratory tract in pigs and its immune system: a review Abstract: The growing amount of information regarding mucosal immunology in animals resulted from a need to better understand the pathogenesis of diseases entering the body through mucosa surfaces, including the respiratory tract. The second reason for such studies is associated with a search for alternative ways of vaccine application, including delivery to the mucosa of the respiratory tract. This review provides a structural and functional description of the immune system of the pig respiratory tract. Keywords: swine, histology, host defence, specific immunity, innate immunity Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 206-220 Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6759-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6759-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201304-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:58:y:2013:i:4:id:6759-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Vernunft Author-Workplace-Name: Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute for Reproductive Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany Author-Name: J.M. Weitzel Author-Workplace-Name: Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute for Reproductive Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany Author-Name: T. Viergutz Author-Workplace-Name: Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute for Reproductive Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany Title: Corpus luteum development and its morphology after aspiration of a preovulatory follicle is related to size and steroid content of the follicle in dairy cows Abstract: Secretion of adequate levels of progesterone from a proper corpus luteum (CL), which develops out of the cells of a healthy preovulatory follicle, is a key-factor for establishment of a pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between morphological and secretory characteristics of preovulatory follicles and their corresponding corpus luteum with regard to the post-partum period in high-yielding dairy cows. Therefore, ultrasound-guided aspirations of preovulatory follicles were performed repeatedly, using 20 first lactating cows between 26 and 121 days after parturition. Heat was induced with a PGF analogon followed by administration of a GnRH analogon. The dominant follicle was aspirated 21 h after administration of the GnRH analogon. The diameters of the follicles were estimated at aspiration and the morphology of the resulting luteal tissue was examined on day 14 after follicle aspiration using ultrasonographic examinations. Concentrations of progesterone (P4) and 17-beta-oestradiol (E2) were determined in the follicular fluids (FF) and P4 concentration was estimated at the time of CL examination in plasma. A CL development occurred in 82% after dominant follicle aspiration. The interval of time between parturition and follicle aspiration did not affect the investigated variables. The diameter of the aspirated preovulatory follicle was positively correlated to the cross-section area of the developed luteal tissue (R = 0.60; P < 0.01) as well as to the plasma P4 concentration on day 14 after follicle aspiration (R = 0.47; P < 0.05). Also, E2 concentrations in FF were positively correlated to cross-section area of the luteal tissue (R = 0.54; P < 0.05). Comparing the FF of the follicles that gave rise to a CL after aspiration to follicles that did not, both types had comparable P4, but the former type harboured higher E2 concentrations. In conclusion, preovulatory follicle diameter as well as steroid concentrations in the follicular fluid could be used prospectively to identify cows which will have well-developed CLs and high plasma P4 levels later. On the other hand, CL development after follicle aspiration can be used as a retrospective quality parameter of dominant follicles. These results will help to identify suitable animals for breeding or recipients for embryo transfer. Keywords: post-partum period, ultrasound, fertility, progesterone, oestradiol, follicle fluid Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 221-229 Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6760-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6760-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201304-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:58:y:2013:i:4:id:6760-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Zuffova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: S. Krisova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Zert Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Platelet rich plasma treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon lesions in racing Thoroughbreds Abstract: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified method for preparing platelet rich plasma for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon lesions in race horses and its influence on the future recuperation of the animals. The applied concentrate of plasma was prepared by centrifugation followed by aspiration close above the buffy coat. There were no negative reactions resulting from the application of the biological material into the damaged tendons. The success of the therapy was proven by the shortened rehabilitation time and the higher number of horses returning to racing. Keywords: tendonitis, growth factors, racing carriers, ultrasonographic examination Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 230-239 Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6761-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6761-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201304-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:58:y:2013:i:4:id:6761-VETMED