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Precise field experiments were established at 3 sites with oilseed rape under different soil-climatic conditions in the Czech Republic (Humpolec, Hněvčeves and Uhříněves) in the years 2008-2010. In this experiment, four fertilizing treatments with increasing S rate were evaluated. The contents of bioavailable (S_W), adsorbed (S_ads), occluded (S_ocl), and hydroiodic acid (HI) reducible (S_HI) sulfur were measured. The contents of the fractions within the studied sites in the samples collected before fertilizers application were comparable. The S_W, S_ads a S_ocl contents did not exceed 10 mg S/kg. The S_HI contents differed depending on site and year. Fertilizing using S as CaSO₄ positively influenced the contents of S_W, S_ads, and S_HI in soil. Sulfur fertilizing had also the positive tendencies to increase the winter rape yields but the differences between studied treatments were not statistically significant.

Physical properties of soils have a significant influence on their water regime and should be considered when selecting suitable agricultural crops for particular sites, taking into account the crop productivity and its water requirements. Mean daily rates of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) were obtained by collation of measured or otherwise estimated 10-min values for the years 2004, 2006 and 2009 for a partially tile-drained agricultural experimental catchment in the Bohemo-Moravian Highland (Czech Republic). ETa was measured using the Bowen ratio (β) and energy balance (BREB) method at four weather stations located on different soil types (Stagnosols, Cambisols) and terrain relief positions (defined with respect to the groundwater recharge and discharge zones) over different crops (cereals, oil rape and permanent grassland). A systematic influence of soil properties on the evapotranspiration rate was more pronounced during the periods of limited transpiration (soil drought, crop maturity), when the average daily ETa was significantly lower and the corresponding β significantly higher over coarser-textured soils (shallow Haplic Cambisols), namely (year-ETa (mm/day)/β): 2004 - 1.75/1.66; 2006 - 2.44/0.93; 2009 - 2.60/0.81), than over finer-textured soils (Stagnic Cambisols and Haplic Stagnosols), namely: 2004 - 2.92/0.97; 2006 - 3.06/0.44; 2009 - 3.42/0.39). When the transpiration was not limited by soil water deficit, it acted as an equalizing factor smoothing down evapotranspiration from heterogeneous soil areas, whereby the effect of the soil physical properties was masked. With regard to soil water regime and evapotranspiration, the tile-drained Stagnic Cambisol lands behaved similarly as non-drained Haplic Cambisols. The effects of land use and of the terrain relief position could not be tracked independently, because the permanent grassland was situated in the wetter and texturally heavier parts of the catchment and the positions of the recharge/discharge zone coincided with the positions of texturally lighter/heavier soils, respectively.

Geostatistical estimation methods including ordinary kriging (OK), lognormal ordinary kriging (LOK), cokriging (COK), and indicator kriging (IK) are compared for the purposes of prediction and, in particular, uncertainty assessment of the soil texture fractions, i.e. sand, silt, and clay proportions, in an erosion experimental field in Lower Austria. The soil samples were taken on 136 sites, about 30-m apart. The validation technique was cross-validation, and the comparison criteria were the mean bias error (MBE) and root mean squared error (RMSE). Statistical analysis revealed that the sand content is positively skewed, thus persuading us to use LOK for the estimation. COK was also used due to a good negative correlation seen between the texture fractions. The autocorrelation analysis showed that the soil texture fractions in the study area are strongly to moderately correlated in space. Cross-validation indicated that COK is the most accurate method for estimating the silt and clay contents; RMSE equalling to 3.17% and 1.85%, respectively. For the sand content, IK with RMSE (12%) slightly smaller than COK (RMSE = 14%) was the best estimation method. However, COK maps presented the true variability of the soil texture fractions much better than the other approaches, i.e. they achieved the smallest smoothness. Regarding the local uncertainty, the estimation variance maps produced by OK, LOK, and COK methods similarly indicated that the lowest uncertainty occurred near the data locations, and that the highest uncertainty was seen in the areas of sparse sampling. The uncertainty, however, varied much less across the study area compared to conditional variance for IK. The IK conditional variance maps showed, in contrast, some relations to the data values. The estimation uncertainty needs to be evaluated for the incorporation into the risk analysis in the soil management.

An 8-hour-old Andalusian colt was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Cordoba due to weakness, lateral recumbence, diarrhoea and absent sucking reflex. At admission the foal was obnubilated, with cold limbs, pale mucous membranes, tachycardia and diarrhoea. Laboratory results revealed increased hematocrit and total protein concentration, hyperfibrinogenemia, leukopenia, azoetemia, hypertrygliceridemia and a decreased IgG level. A diagnose of failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins and hyperlipaemia was made. On the third day of hospitalization the foal presented painful and swollen joints, abdominal distension and fever. The ultrasonographic study at this point showed abundant hypoechogenic free fluid content in the peritoneal cavity. Abdominocentesis demonstrated a high peritoneal creatinine:serum creatinine ratio. Culture of the peritoneal fluid was Clostridium spp. positive. Necropsy revealed a tear in the internal umbilical remnant. The final diagnosis was uroperitoneum secondary to rupture of the urachus associated with a Clostridium spp. infection. New emerging aetiologies responsible for uroperitoneum, either by septic urachitis or omphalophlebitis, are emerging. Nonetheless, cases of uroperitoneum induced by Clostridium spp. infection are rare and constitute a new and important finding for equine neonatal medicine. In addition, the hyperlipaemic status in this animal could be a plausible cause leading to septicemia and subsequent uroperitoneum.

In this study we investigated the basal expression of chicken IFNγ, IL-18, IL-1β, LITAF, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, iNOS, IL-17, IL-15, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-22 in the ileum, caecum, colon, liver, spleen, lungs, blood and magnum of hens using real time PCR. We show that IL-18, LITAF and IL-15 were highly expressed in most tissues while IL-6 and IL-17 were usually expressed at a low level. IL-17 and IL-22 were expressed mainly in the lungs and intestinal tract and both subunits of IL-12 were produced in the liver. Unusually high expression of iNOS was observed in the blood which may explain the rapid increase in iNOS at inflamed sites in chickens. The second unexpected expression profile was that of IL-18 and IL-6 in magnum. These two cytokines were highly expressed in magnum in the absence of any infection pointing to an important, though as yet uncharacterised, physiological role in the reproductive tract of hens.

Although avian mycobacteriosis is not prevalent among domestic fowl used for intensive husbandry, it has been described in both free living birds and birds in captivity, e.g., zoological gardens and small fowl flocks. In this study, we examined 305 pheasants from six flocks as well as 70 other birds belonging to 14 species and 97 other vertebrates caught in a closed area. We also investigated the prevalence of mycobacteria in non-vertebrates (earthworms) and soil in two pheasant flocks. Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (M. a. avium) was isolated in four flocks from 17 (5.6%) pheasants. In one M. a. avium-infected pheasant co-infection with M. a. hominissuis was diagnosed. Granulomatous inflammatory lesions were observed in liver and spleen in only four M. a. avium-infected pheasants originating from two flocks. From the other 38 pheasants other mycobacterial species were isolated, such as M. fortuitum, M. terrae, M. triviale, M. chelonae, M. scrofulaceum, M. smegmatis, M. flavescens, M. diernhoferi and non-identifiable mycobacterial species. In the group of 70 birds of other species, we identified M. a. avium in two (2.9%) goshawks (Accipiter gentilis). We did not isolate M. a. avium from any of the other 97 vertebrates, the 391 environment samples or 97 earthworms.

The immune system of fish is very similar to vertebrates, although there are some important differences. Fish are free-living organisms from the embryonic stage of life in their aquatic environment. They have mechanisms to protect themselves from a wide variety of microorganisms. Consequently, fish rely on their innate immune system for an extended period of time, beginning at the early stages of embryogenesis. The components of the innate immune response are divided into physical, cellular and humoral factors and include humoral and cellular receptor molecules that are soluble in plasma and other body fluids. The lymphoid organs found in fish include the thymus, spleen and kidney. Immunoglobulins are the principal components of the immune response against pathogenic organisms. Immunomodulatory products, including nucleotides, glucans and probiotics, are increasingly used in aquaculture production. The use of these products reduces the need for therapeutic treatments, enhances the effects of vaccines and, in turn, improves the indicators of production. The aim of this review is to provide a review of the immune system in fish, including the ontogeny, mechanisms of unspecific and acquired immunity and the action of some immunomodulators.

The article concentrates on the changes of ownership ongoing in Polish agriculture in the period 1989-2004. Since Polish agriculture was above all private in nature throughout the period of communism, the changes in question were actually more limited than in other Central and East European Countries (CEEC). Those that have taken place have first and foremost involved the privatisation of the old State Farms, whose assets were taken over by individually-owned farms or commercial-law companies, with the intermediation of the Treasury Agricultural Property Agency established for the purpose. A major element of the assets undergoing privatisation was agricultural land. The size of the ownership change has varied from region to region. In the West and North, where more than half of all farmland was in the State Farm hands to 1989, there was a marked increase in the share of land under private ownership. On the other hand, in Central and Eastern Poland, the changes were very limited, concerning only the transfer of land between private farms. Important reasons accounting for the limited activity on the market for land in this part of Poland include the agrarian overpopulation and the widespread treatment of land as a form of the "insurance policy" against job losses. The ownership changes have further encouraged polarisation where farm size structure is concerned. Farms increased in size in the regions where the large average area has long been a typical feature. In turn, the areas characterised by the excessive agrarian fragmentation have not seen any more major changes in the size structure over the recent period. A detailed analysis of the changes in ownership over the market economy period is preceded by a discussion of the history of land ownership in Polish agriculture, with a particular emphasis being placed on the Communist era. The legal and social bases conditioning ownership change are also discussed.

The primary purpose of this article is to discuss the trade practices used by retail chains from the point of view of the possible solutions of conflicts between the members of the distribution channel, which have an influence on selling prices for the end users. It is based on the knowledge of the theory of the transaction cost analysis, which makes it possible for the members of the distribution channel to make decisions on the number of forms of the organization in order to realize their activities successfully. In this framework and using the example of milk, the article shows the trade practices of retail chains to improve the relationships manufacturer - retailer in the Slovak consumer market.

Globalisation is at the beginning of the new century a double-edged weapon: a strong driving force of economic growth, the development of new technologies and the growth of the level of living in the poor as well as rich countries, but also a controversory process which damages national sovereignty, undermines the local culture and traditions and presents a threat of the economic and social non-stability. The key question of the 21^st century then is, whether the states will be able to keep the process under control or whether they will become its victims.

Lipolysis is of great importance in the development of the aroma and flavour of cheese and one of the usual ways of measuring it is to assess variations in fatty acids. The relative proportions of fatty acids in milk fat depend on the animal species, the stage of lactation and feed regime, the ripening time and the climatic conditions and microbiological quality of the milk. GC-MS is the reference method for the determination of fatty acids in cheeses, but the technique involves long analysis times.

The aim of the study was to describe the distribution of total mercury in the tissues of fish originating from important Czech fishing locations and to determine the level of methylmercury as a percentage of total mercury (Hg speciation). At six important fishing locations a total of 144 fishes of 13 species were caught and analysed. Samples of muscle, liver, gonads and scales were analysed for total mercury and in the case of muscles for methylmercury concentrations. Total mercury was determined by AAS using an AMA 254 analyser, and methylmercury determination was performed by GC/ECD using a GC-2010A chromatograph. Total mercury concentrations in muscle and other tissues of all the fish from all fishing locations were below 0.5 mg/kg, with the exception of 6 asps (Aspius aspius). A significant (P < 0.05) correlation was found between the total mercury concentrations in scales and other tissues. Methylmercury made up about 46-100% of total mercury in muscle. The overall results confirmed the good hygienic quality of fish from important Czech fishing locations.

The influence of different storage temperatures (5°C and 15°C) on the quality of vacuum-packed dry fermented sausage Poličan was determined. The salami mixture, finished salamis (the maturing period of 30 days), and salamis stored for 30, 60, 90, and 120 days were analysed. The analyses performed (physical/chemical, sensory, microbiological) found no differences in sensory properties or basic physical/chemical and microbiological parameters in the products after storage under different temperature conditions for 120 days. When stored at 15°C, the total content of biogenic amines in samples was higher than that for samples stored at 5°C with statistical differences P ≤ 0.05. If the principles of good manufacturing practice are observed at all phases of the technological process, the storage temperature of 15°C does not represent a risk as the consequent concentration of biogenic amines and polyamines remains extremely low.

Combined culture of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus brevis, L. plantarum i L. sanfranciscencis) and baker's yeasts was used in order to reduce immunoreactivity of gluten from wheat. Flour and dough samples were analysed in terms of lactic acid fermentation and thermal processing. Their immunoreactivity was determined with ELISA method using both anti-gliadin antibodies from patients suffering from coeliac disease and rabbit anti-QQQPP peptide (main epitope of flour allergen) antibodies. Also, immunoreactivity was measured in the final products after simulated digestion. The obtained total effectiveness of the fermentation and digestion processes amounted to less than 30% relative to immunoreactivity of human anti-gliadin antibodies and less than 10% relative to immunoreactivity of anti-QQQPP peptide antibodies as compared to the baking made with non-fermented flour.

The presence of genetic modifications was analysed in a total of 100 samples of non-labelled vegetarian and healthy food products. The basic raw materials in the samples tested comprised maize, soya, and/or rice. The screening of all samples was performed using the primers for CaMV35S promoter. The positive samples from this initial screening were further subjected to the analysis of specific transgenic material to determine the type of GMO present with subsequent quantification. Roundup Ready soya was found in eight samples, but its content was below the limit of 0.9%. None of the analysed samples of food products contained GM maize and GM rice. Considering that the investigated samples were imported mainly from EU countries, it can be concluded that the control of GMOs is carried out systematically and in accordance with the Serbian GMO Law.

Wheat, apple, potato, and bamboo fibres were applied at 1 and 3% content to bread wheat flour and these additions were studied for the quality of dough and bakery products characterised by farinograph parameters, laboratory baking tests, firmness, and sensory analysis. The addition of fibre caused a decrease of loaf volume, also a change of crumb colour and a slight increase of bread crumb firmness. On the other hand, the addition of fibre affected the farinograph parameters, significantly decreased the specific volume especially at 3% fibre (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in firmness was found out between products with added wheat and bamboo fibre. Statistically highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were found among the other pairs of products with fibre. The best sensory properties were detected when examining the products with an addition of wheat and potato fibre. The enrichment of bread with fibre at 1% or 3% increased the dietary fibre content in bread with slightly adverse effects on bread quality.

The roles of some cake ingredients - oil, a leavening agent, and inulin - in the structure and physicochemical properties of batter and cakes were studied in four different formulations. Oil played an important role in the batter stability, due to its contribution to increasing batter viscosity and occluding air during mixing. The addition of the leavening agent was crucial to the final height and sponginess of the cakes. When inulin was used as a fat replacer, the absence of oil caused a decrease in the stability of the batter, where larger air bubbles were occluded. Inulin dispersed uniformly in the batter could create a competition for water with the flour components: gluten was not properly hydrated and some starch granules were not fully incorporated into the matrix. Thus, the development of a continuous network was disrupted and the cake was shorter and softer; it contained interconnected air cells in the crumb, and was easily crumbled. The structure studies were decisive to understand the physicochemical properties.

The utilisation of food consumption databases is widespread and involves for example, the risk assessment, understanding of consumers' food consumption trends, health education, and planning of prevention projects. Harmonisation of national consumption data for international comparison is an important and challenging work. First attempts started in the 70's and have been continuing up to now. The present study gives an overview of the collection methods, types and utilisation of food consumption data, as well of the most important phases of the international harmonisation work. As this study shows, it is crucial to harmonise the surveys parameters like the time of the data collection, method, number of participants, and number of the analysed days for an internationally comparable consumption database. From this point of view, the efforts of the EU menu project are promising.

in recent years, great attention has been paid to the quality of eaten meat and its products. There have been launched a lot of promotional campaigns aimed at providing opportunities for the consumption of traditional products. Based on the experiment, a significantly higher protein content was found in sausages produced by large producers (24.73 ± 1.98%). The fat content was significantly higher in traditional ham (16.25 ± 14.47%), compared with local ham (4.38 ± 2.26%) and the mass (9.29 ± 5.25%). The samples of traditional and local ham had a significantly higher salt content (3.31 ± 0.72 and 2.90 ± 0.54%, respectively). No dye compounds were detected in any of the tested samples. There were no statistically significant differences in hydroxyproline and l‑glutamic acid content between traditional and conventional samples of meat products. Analysis of nitrate (V and III) showed a statistically significant difference in the average contents of these compounds. Significantly higher levels of nitrates were revealed only in traditional ham samples (12.60 ± 8.08 mg NaNO(V)/kg and 17.53 ± 27.91 mg NaNO(III)/kg of the product, respectively), wherein there was a large variation in the content of these compounds in the samples.

We evaluated changes in the content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity of frozen spinach, peas, and sweet corn in relation to the storage period. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in analysed samples were determined by colorimetric methods. Both parameters were analysed in frozen samples monthly and the changes were monitored during storage in a freezing box at a temperature of -18°C for 10 months. Freezing had a different influence on the levels of total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in individual analysed samples. The greatest decrease in antioxidant activity during the entire period of freezing was recorded in spinach (79.4%), while the lowest decrease was observed in peas (26.8%). A relatively significant decrease in antioxidant activity was also found in sweet corn (62.7%). On the contrary, the greatest decrease of total polyphenol content throughout the period of freezing was found in peas (62.0%), and lowest decrease was recorded in sweet corn (only 5.0%). The total polyphenol content in spinach decreased by 43.1% after 10 months of storage.

Sharka disease caused by the infection with the Plum pox virus (PPV) in stone fruit trees is worldwide the most devastating for stone fruit production. Until now, good sources of resistance to PPV within the peach group have not been available. There are no commercial cultivars of peach that are resistant to PPV. Other Prunus species are known to show varying levels of resistance. Interspecific hybrids GF 677 (Prunus amygdalus × P. persica) and Cadaman (P. davidiana × P. persica) were revealed to be resistant to PPV. The resistance to a Dideron isolate of the descendants of Cresthaven × GF 677 and Cresthaven × Cadaman and their progenitors was evaluated after inoculation by chip-budding in a sealed screenhouse. Results demonstrate a certain level of resistance in both progenies of interspecific hybrids and indicate a potential for PPV resistance transfer to commercial peach cultivars but it will be necessary to perform backcrosses with peach cultivars of agricultural interest in order to return pomological and agronomic traits. For the definitive confirmation of resistance/susceptibility it will be necessary to wait until the adult stage of hybrids.

The genus Allium (Family: Alliaceae) is the most important among the bulbous vegetable crops. characterization of Alliums based on phenotypic traits is influenced by the environment and leads to biased diversity estimates. Recognizing the potential of DNA markers in plant breeding, researchers have adopted the molecular markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and characterization of different quality traits in Alliums. This review presents details about the use of DNA markers in Alliums for cultivar identification, diversity studies, SSR development, colour improvement, total soluble solids (TSS), cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and efforts of DNA sequencing. As there are no such reports to describe the above work under a single heading, we decided to mine literature for those who are working in onion, garlic, chives and leek improvement to generate new insights in the subject.

The objective of the study was to determine the relationships between age of the goat and faecal egg counts, liver enzymes, and minerals in the wet and dry seasons in male and female Nguni goats of South Africa. Fifty-six female and forty male Nguni goats were used for the study. Faecal and blood samples were collected once in the dry (August) and wet (January) season. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were determined by the modified McMaster technique while trematodes were determined by the sedimentation method. Blood was analyzed for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels. Faecal egg counts were significantly higher in the wet compared with the dry season. Most (P < 0.05) of the goats were within the reference values for calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in both seasons. Phosphorus concentrations were significantly affected by age with higher levels in the young (2.1 ± 0.06) compared to the adult (2.0 ± 0.03) goats. Alkaline phosphate was significantly affected by age with higher levels in young than in mature goats. Higher AST, CK, and GGT concentrations were recorded in the wet compared to the dry season (P < 0.05). Higher CK and AST were recorded in male than in female goats while for ALP, the values were higher in female than in male goats. Linear negative relationships (P < 0.05) existed between age and ALP, phosphorus, and FEC, while quadratic relationships existed between age and strongyles and Strongyloides egg counts. Calcium was linearly related (P < 0.05) to FEC, while CK was related to FEC in a quadratic fashion. Age of the Nguni goats can be used to predict faecal egg counts, phosphorus, and ALP levels.

A bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) producing Enterococcus faecium CE5-1 was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Thai indigenous chickens. Investigations of its probiotic potential were carried out. The competition between the BLS probiotic strain and antibiotic-resistant enterococci was also studied. Ent. faecium CE5-1 exhibited a good tolerance to pH 3.0 after 2 h and in 7% fresh chicken bile after 6 h, but the viability of Ent. faecium CE5-1 decreased by about 2-3 log CFU/ml after 2 h incubation in pH 2.5. It was susceptible to the antibiotics tested (tetracycline, erythromycin, penicillin G, and vancomycin). The maximum BLS production from Ent. faecium CE5-1 was observed at 15 h of cultivation. It showed activity against Listeria monocytogenes DMST17303, Pediococcus pentosaceus 3CE27, Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei JCM1157, and antibiotic-resistant enterococci. The detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the enterocin structural gene determined the presence of enterocin A gene in Ent. faecium CE5-1 only. Ent. faecium CE5-1 showed the highest inhibitory activity against two antibiotic-resistant Ent. faecalis VanB (from 6.68 to 4.29 log CFU/ml) and Ent. gallinarum VanC (from 6.76 to 4.31 log CFU/ml) after 12 h of co-cultivation. The results show the future possible use of Ent. faecium CE5-1 as a probiotic strain for livestock to control antibiotic-resistant enterococci.

The study investigated the consequences of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on hormonal status and metabolic changes in neonatal lambs. Four ewes out of twenty-eight multiparous ewes mated at a synchronized oestrus were slaughtered at day 90 of pregnancy to collect fetal blood to serve as an initial comparison group. Twenty-four animals were divided into three groups and offered 0.18 MJ ME.kg^-0.75per day (restricted group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJ ME.kg^-0.75per day (restricted group 2, RG2), and control group (ad libitum CG) during late pregnancy, respectively. Immediately after parturition, blood was collected from the neonatal lambs in each group and analyzed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-II, insulin (INS), thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃), glucose (GLU), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and total amino acid (TAA), respectively. The results indicated that the maternal undernutrition during late gestation decreased the average lamb birth weight in both RG1 (P < 0.01) and RG2 (P < 0.05) compared to CG. During the late fetal development period, the concentrations of T4, INS, and IGF-I of neonatal lambs in CG were increased (P < 0.05) compared to those at day 90 of pregnancy; the secretions of T₄, INS, and IGF-I in RG1 and RG2 during restriction were suppressed. The neonatal INS concentrations in RG1 and RG2 were decreased (P < 0.05), but the neonatal GH concentration in RG1 was greater than that of CG (P < 0.05). The GLU concentrations of neonatal lambs in RG1 were lower than those of CG (P < 0.05). However, the neonatal NEFA (P < 0.05) and TAA (P < 0.01) concentrations in RG1 were greater than those of CG. Thus, maternal undernutrition can change the hormonal and metabolic status of neonatal lambs, which may have significant implications on postnatal growth and adult health.

The ribosomal protein SA (RPSA), also known as 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor/67-kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR), has been identified as a multifunctional protein, playing an important role in multiple pathologies like cancer and prion diseases. Since RPSA is involved in the binding and internalization of the prion protein, mutations in the ovine RPSA gene, influencing the RPSA-PrP^C/PrP^Sc binding, can potentially play a part in the resistance to prion diseases. Our goal was to further characterize the complex RPSA gene family and to detect structural mutations which can play a role in this disease. In a prior study, 11 ovine pseudogenes were detected experimentally. As the whole genome shotgun ovine genome became accessible, an in silico genome-wide screening was performed and 37 new pseudogenes (36 processed and one semi-processed pseudogene) were detected, bringing the total to 48 ovine RPSA pseudogenes. Additionally, the complete bovine genome was screened in silico and 56 pseudogenes were identified. Once these sequences were known, it was possible to analyze the presence of mutations in the coding sequence and exon-flanking regions of the ovine functional full-length RPSA gene without the interference of pseudogenic sequences. Nineteen mutations were found: one in the 5' UTR, a silent one in the coding region, and seventeen in the exon-flanking regions, including an interesting mutation in the SNORA62 gene, localized in intron 4 of RPSA, leading to potential ribosomal defects. Structural mutations of the RPSA gene can be ruled out to play a role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies but regulatory mutations still can have an effect on these diseases.

The objective of the present study was to examine if luteal blood flow (LBF) monitoring could be used as an additional prognostic tool for early pregnancy diagnosis, and we particularly focused on the differences in LBF between pregnant and nonpregnant mares. Furthermore, other possible developmental differences of corpus luteum (CL) between pregnant and nonpregnant mares were evaluated. The CL (n = 119) of 27 mares were monitored once daily in B- and Power-Doppler Mode on days 1, 2, 9, 12, and 16 after ovulation (day 0 = ovulation). The data were evaluated using the MIXED Linear Model with repeated measures, and parameters were estimated by the REML method. The course of LBF, area of CL, and pixel intensity differed in nonpregnant mares on a day-to-day basis in contrast to more stable values in pregnant mares. Further, the profiles of the courses were identical until day 9, but since day 12 the differences between pregnant and nonpregnant mares started to be prominent. The LBF, pixel intensity, and level of progesterone (P4) were similar in all mares until day 16, when smaller LBF, lower pixel intensity, and lower levels of P4 were found in nonpregnant mares (P = 0.04, P = 0.02, P < 0.05, respectively). In pregnant and nonpregnant mares the LBF was weakly (r = 0.29 in both) and pixel intensity strongly (r = 0.48 and 0.59, respectively) correlated to the levels of P4. LBF was strongly correlated to the area of CL in pregnant as well as nonpregnant mares (r = 0.72 and 0.64, respectively). In accordance with the results presented in our study we can state that LBF monitoring is not a suitable tool for early pregnancy diagnosis or prognosis as the differences between pregnant and nonpregnant mares are notable - similarly to other indicators of CL status - just after the onset of luteolysis (day 16) when embryo itself is detectable.