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A litterbag experiment was conducted to investigate the changes of tannins and nutrients in branchlets at different decomposition stages of Casuarina equisetifolia in southern subtropical coastal zone, China, using the colorimetric assays. The time required for the loss of half of the initial dry weight (t₅₀) was 9.13 months. Total phenolics (TP), extractable condensed tannins (ECT), protein-bound condensed tannins (PBCT), total condensed tannins (TCT) and protein precipitation capacity (PPC) of branchlets litter decreased rapidly, while fibre-bound condensed tannins (FBCT) increased during decomposition. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of the branchlet litter both increased gradually during decay. Negative correlations between TP and nitrogen or phosphorus, as well as TCT and nitrogen or phosphorus were found. These chemical changes enhanced the current knowledge on the potential ecological role of nutrient transformation in tannins in C. equisetifolia plantations.

The upper values of the extractability of trace elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in 2 mol/L HNO₃ and 0.025 mol/L ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (compared with their pseudototal content in aqua regia) for determination of prevailing anthropogenic and geogenic soil load were proposed and compared with the results of the other 30 Fluvisol samples collected from the Labe fluvial zone. The increased geogenic load of Fluvisols was confirmed in the case of Be and As in some localities where low extractability with increased pseudototal contents were detected as opposed to the other elements when their increased pseudototal contents were followed by their increased extractability. The maps of probability of increased geogenic soil load in the area of the Czech Republic based on the comparison of geological substrates and trace element load were constructed. The combination of proposed elements extractability values for geogenic load together with developed maps is a suitable tool for the definition of prevailing Fluvisol or sediment load on some localities in the whole area of the Czech Republic. The results can be also a useful tool in the decision making processes regarding dredged sediment application on agricultural soil (support tool for legislative norms, Direction No. 257/2009 Sb.).

Plant's nitrogen (N) requirement that is not fulfilled by available N in soil has to be supplied externally through chemical fertilizers. A reliable estimate of soil N-supplying capacity (NSC) is therefore essential for efficient fertilizer use. In this study involving a pot experiment with twenty acidic soils varying widely in properties, we evaluated six chemical indices of soil N-availability viz. organic carbon (C_org), total N (N_tot), acid and alkaline-KMnO₄ extractable-N, hot KCl extractable-N (KCl-N) and phosphate-borate buffer extractable-N (PBB-N), based on their strength of correlation with available-N values obtained through aerobic incubation (AI-N) and anaerobic incubation (ANI-N), and also with the dry matter yield (DMY), N percentage and plant (maize) N uptake (PNU). In general, the soils showed large variability in NSC as indicated by variability in PNU which ranged from 598 to 1026 mg/pot. Correlations of the N-availability indices with AI-N and ANI-N decreased in the order: PBB-N (r = 0.784** and 0.901**) > KCl-N (r = 0.773** and 0.743**) > acid KMnO₄-N (r = 0.575** and 0.651**) ≥ C_org (r = 0.591** and 0.531**) ≥ alkaline KMnO₄-N (r = 0.394** and 0.548**) > N_tot (r = 0.297** and 0.273*). Of all the indices evaluated, PBB-N showed the best correlations with plant parameters as well (r = 0.790** and 0.793** for DMY and PNU, respectively). Based on the highest correlations of PBB-N with biological indices as well as plant responses, we propose PBB-N as an appropriate index of N-availability in the acidic soils of India and other regions with similar soils.

Little attention has been paid to the effect of long-term fertilizer application on concentrations of elements in grain of barley produced on the metal non-contaminated agricultural soil. In 2010, we analyzed yield and concentrations of elements in grain of spring barley in unfertilized control, mineral fertilizer application (N₄P₂K₂ - 70, 60 and100 kg N, P and K per ha) and combinations of farmyard manure or poultry litter with mineral fertilizer (FMN₄P₂K₂ and PLN₄P₂K₂) treatments in the Ruzyně Fertilizer Experiment established on Luvisol in 1955 in Prague (Czech Republic). The yield of grain ranged from 4.03 to 9.74 t/ha in the control and FMN₄P₂K₂ treatment. There was a positive effect of fertilizer application on concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorusand potassium, but no effect on concentrations of calcium and magnesium. With the exception of iron, concentrations of micro (copper and zinc) and risk elements (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel) were not significantly affected by the fertilizer treatments. Long-term use of organic and mineral fertilizers with appropriate application rates does not represent any risk for contamination of barley grain by risk elements on mineral rich and metal non-contaminated agricultural soils.

Root net primary productivity (RNPP) was assessed in the wet submontane meadow in the highland region of the Czech Republic. RNPP was studied from 1992 to 1995 with help of the in-growth core technique. The effect of different intensities of fertilization on root growth was covered. In comparison with unfertilized stands, the application of fertilizers (90 kg N/ha) resulted, mostly significantly, in greater root productivity (297 g/m²/year and 2.08 g/m²/day, on average). This represented an increase by 72% and 71%, respectively. Variability in the fraction of RNPP to total net primary productivity was examined. Results indicate that this fraction varied from 0.18 to 0.25 across the compared treatments and decreased with increasing fertilization. Data show how different roles can grasslands play in accumulation of plant matter due to different levels of fertilization.

The research results have shown that the enzyme pH index (0.49-0.83) confirmed the neutral or alkaline nature of the soils. Neither the changes in the content of available phosphorus nor in the activity of dehydrogenases, catalase, alkaline and acid phosphatase in soil were due to the factors triggering soil salinity; they were a result of the naturally high content of carbon of organic compounds, which was statistically verified with the analysis of correlation between the parameters. There were recorded highly significant values of the coefficients of correlation between the content of available phosphorus in soil and the activity of alkaline (r = 0.96; P < 0.05) and acid phosphatase (r = 0.91; P < 0.05) as well as dehydrogenase (r = 0.90; P < 0.05). To sum up, one can state that Mollic Gleysols in Inowrocław are the soils undergoing seasonal salinity; however, a high content of ions responsible for salinity is balanced with a high content of organic carbon, humus, phosphorus and calcium directly affecting the fertility of the soils analyzed. The activity of the enzymes depended on the natural content of carbon of organic compounds and not on the factors affecting the soil salinity, which points to the potential of such tests for soil environment monitoring.

Influence of CULTAN system (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) on the nitrogen uptake by spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was observed at 5-year small-plot field experiments under conditions of the Czech Republic (central Europe). Nitrogen uptake by CULTAN-fertilized plants was more even during vegetation period probably due to delayed term of fertilizer application. Nitrogen concentration in the aboveground biomass at BBCH 51 and in straw had no effect on grain yield. Post-heading nitrogen uptake as well as contribution of nitrogen translocation to total nitrogen in grain did not differ among both nitrogen fertilization treatments. Increase in grain size of spring barley by the CULTAN system can be explained by tendency to lower number of ears per area rather than by prolonged nitrogen uptake from soil. Lower protein content in grain of CULTAN-fertilized spring barley can be caused by increase in grain retained on a 2.5 mm sieve and also decrease in total nitrogen concentration in above-ground biomass at BBCH 51. No significant effect of CULTAN treatment on nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake efficiency was recorded. Significantly higher nitrogen utilization efficiency at CULTAN treatment could be explained by lower grain protein content compared to conventional treatment.

Fertilization of crops with pig manure is a common practice throughout the world. Nevertheless, due to the relatively high copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents in pig manure, continuous application of pig manure could have negative effects on soil and plant. The study aimed at the impacts of long-term applying different pig manure rates (equivalently 0, 100, 250 and 500 kg total N/ha/year from 2002 to 2008 and 0, 10, 25 and 50 t fresh weight/ha/year from 2009 to 2011, respectively) on Cu and Zn accumulation in soil and plant. During the 10 years of the experiment, a total of 2.04 to 10.20 kg/ha/year for Cu, 3.15 to 15.73 kg/ha/year for Zn were applied to the soil. Results from this study showed that long-term pig manure application resulted in serious accumulation of Cu and Zn in soil, total Cu and Zn concentrations increased by 204% and 107% at high application rates, respectively. Although topsoil Cu and Zn concentrations were below concentrations considered phytotoxic to crops, according to current Chinese legislation, it would take only less time than 16 and 27 years of high application rates to reach the allowable limits. Our result also suggested that Cu and Zn leaching occurred in the tested soil. The Cu and Zn concentrations in stalks and grains were not affected by the application of pig manure, and these values were lower than the threshold values for animal and human ingestion.

Effective reproductive management is a crucial concern in the dairy industry and missed oestrus and late recognition of unsuccessful insemination can lead to substantial financial loss. Progesterone levels change in a predictable manner with progress of the oestrus cycle and with the onset of pregnancy. We report here the development of a simple ELISA test for the measurement of progesterone levels in bovine milk. The method is based on the use of polyclonal antibodies raised against 11α-hydroxyprogesterone-hemisuccinate and competition for antibody binding sites between free progesterone and horseradish peroxidase-labelled progesterone. Binding is quantified by means of the colour reaction between horseradish peroxidase and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine. The method has proved to be a cost effective, sensitive and easy to perform alternative to currently available methods of oestrus and pregnancy detection. The practical feasibility of the method has been proven under dairy farm conditions.

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic pigs and to investigate the genetic divergence of swine HEV in the Czech Republic. To this end, a one-step real time RT-PCR assay was introduced as a screening method while nested RT-PCR was used as an additional method to obtain specific sequences from the HEV genome and thus to perform sequence analysis. A total of 63 piglets originating from 14 farms were examined. Bile and intestinal contents were collected from each animal. At least one HEV RNA positive piglet was found in ten (71.4%) of the monitored farms. HEV RNA was most frequently detected in bile samples (34.9%) compared to intestinal content samples (22.2%). In nine piglets (14.3%), both biological samples were HEV RNA-positive. Based on these results sequence and phylogenetic analysis of one randomly selected HEV isolate originating from each HEV RNA-positive farm was performed. Analysis of 287 bp PCR products of the ORF1 gene showed that all the studied HEV isolates could be classified into genotype 3 and subgenotypes 3f and 3g. The failure to find any 100% homology between our isolates and HEV isolates deposited in the GenBank confirms the significant variability within the HEV genome.

Hypo- and anorexia are the most commonly presented complaints for many diseases in veterinary medicine, leading to malnutrition, immunosuppression, compromised wound healing and altered drug metabolism. Stimulating appetite and palatability are therefore important factors in managing anorectic pets. The palatability of a liquid nutritional supplement for cats (LNScat) and dogs (LNSdog), which can be added to the diet as appetite stimulant, was evaluated in healthy pets. In total, 60 cats and 60 dogs of different ages and breeds were included in the study. Acceptance tests were performed using LNS with a concentration of 100% (LNS100) and preferences of water and three different concentrations of LNS (LNS50, LNS70, LNS100) were tested using a traditional two-pan preference test. Acceptance tests with LNS100 showed that cats and dogs generally accepted LNS very well. In dogs, a weak positive correlation existed between acceptance and age, whereas in cats no correlation with age was observed. Furthermore, preference tests showed a clear preference for LNS, regardless of dilution (LNS50, LNS70 and LNS100), when compared to water. In cats, LNS100 was generally better accepted than LNS50 and LNS70. Dogs preferred LNS70 and LNS100 to LNS50. The present study demonstrated that LNS is highly palatable for healthy dogs and cats. If future research confirms that LNS is also highly palatable for ill and hospitalised patients and stimulates appetite in a hospital setting, a practical tool to improve moisture and nutrient intake in patients with hypo- or anorexia will become available.

A case of cholangiocarcinoma in a two-year-old Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is reported. The liver was enlarged and numerous white foci were seen in the liver parenchyma. Histopathologically, channels with or without lumens and separated from one another by thin connective tissue septa were observed. Tumour cells were strongly positive for cytokeratin, Ki-67 and proliferative cell nuclear antigen. This is the first report of colangiocarcinoma in pheasants.

Driven by a combination of pedagogical, ethical and economic factors, the use of simulation technology and other alternatives to traditional training methods has become increasingly common in veterinary education as a means to teach basic and advanced concepts along with technical skills. When paired with well-structured and supervised clinical training on animal patients, these modern methodologies help educators fill gaps left by conventional methods, reduce and replace the consumptive use of live animals, and ultimately result in the graduation of more confident and proficient veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and allied health personnel. This article surveys an array of the simulation methods currently available for veterinary education and how they integrate with and enhance standard curricula.

The aim of the study was to examine for the first time the various aspects of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) presenting in a Middle Eastern country. Medical records of 164 dogs diagnosed with CAD were evaluated. Associations between signalment, lifestyle, clinical signs and allergens were evaluated statistically. Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd dog, Boxer, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever and Shar-Pei breeds were presented more frequently than the regular hospital population (P < 0.0001), and had an earlier disease onset time (P < 0.01). In 22 dogs (13%) signs of CAD were noticed at less than six months of age. Most dogs (75%) lived indoors. Most dogs (83%) had lesions on the ventral part of the body and 68% had foot lesions. After excluding flea allergy dermatitis by implementing strict flea control, 60% of the dogs presented with dorsal distribution of skin lesions. Dogs with ventral lesions were younger when clinical signs first appeared (P < 0.05). Most of the dogs were allergic to dust and/or dust mites (75.6%), with weeds and trees as the next most common allergens. CAD is similar worldwide, but geographic differences may be attributable to genetic pools and allergen loading. This study also shows that early onset of clinical signs, especially in breeds predisposed to CAD and with a dorsal distribution of skin lesions, should not rule out the diagnosis of CAD.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new double-channel system for ultrasound-guided transvaginal intrafollicular treatment in cattle. The system is equipped with separate aspiration and treatment channels facilitating the aspiration of a small part of follicular fluid followed by the immediate injection of the same amount of treatment solution. In Experiment 1 an intracystic injection was performed successfully in all cows (6/6). In Experiment 2 saline was administered to dominant follicles with an overall success rate of 87.5% (14/16). This new double-channel system represents a reliable method for intrafollicular treatment preceded by an aspiration of the necessary amount of follicular fluid without an increase in intrafollicular pressure.

This article describes two cases of augmentation of ruptured tendon with fresh frozen Achilles tendon allograft (FFATA) in dogs. Case 1 was a two-year-old crossbreed dog (29 kg) that presented with an open wound on the right forelimb and with complete rupture of the flexor carpi ulnaris and superficial digital flexor tendons. Case 2 was a four-year-old crossbreed dog (4 kg) with partial ruptures of the patellar tendon and detachment of the tibial tuberosity in the right hind limb. In both cases, the ends of the ruptured tendon were sutured and apposed after debridement. To minimize suture failure, FFATA (cut to sufficient size) was placed across the primary suture with tension and sutured to the host tendon. In addition, Case 2 received a Krackow suture through a transverse bone tunnel made in the tibia to fix the patellar tendon along with the tibial tuberosity in situ. The surgical areas healed without any evidence of exaggerated inflammatory response or clinical signs consistent with rejection of the allograft. Both the dogs had normal ambulation and weight bearing on the affected limb 12 weeks postoperatively. No postoperative complications were observed during a one-year follow up period except for slight contracture of the carpus and digits of the affected limb in Case 1. Thus, ruptured tendons can be successfully repaired using suture and augmentation with FFCTA. Augmentation with FFATA may provide additional stability, which counters tension on the primary repair and reduces the chance of gap formation or suture failure in case of reconstruction of the damaged tendon in dogs.

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.

The aim of this study was to determine reference values of carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen in 32 clinically healthy bitches. The average age of the bitches in each group was as follows: small breeds 3.50 ± 2.30, medium breeds 3.83 ± 3.21, large breeds 6.00 ± 3.22 and giant breeds 2.40 ± 2.43. The average weight in each group was as follows: 1^st group 7.94 kg ± 1.84, 2^nd group 22.38 kg ± 2.77, 3^rd group 35.94 kg ± 7.16, and 4^th group 52.75 kg ± 5.04. The cancer markers were determined using human kits. The mean values of the carcinoembryotic antigen markers ± SD were as follows: 1^st group 0.18 ± 0.03, 2^nd group 0.20 ± 0.03, 3^rd group 0.22 ± 0.01, 4^th group 0.18 ± 0.04. The statistical significance for the carcinoembryonic antigen markers was P = 0.0042**. The values of cancer antigen markers ± SD were: 4.90 ± 1.04, 4.80 ± 1.13, 5.90 ± 1.22, and 4.72 ± 0.97, respectively. The cancer antigen values were statistically insignificant (P = 0.1762). Based on obtained values of the mean 95%, we expect a standard for carcinoembryonic antigen of 0.00-0.23 ng/ml and for cancer antigen 0.0-7.00 IU/ml. The results of the present study show that it is possible to use human kits for the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen in clinically healthy bitches using the radioimmunoassay method.

We used the random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique to discriminate the major emerging poultry pathogen, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), in broiler and chukar partridge cases referred to the veterinary medicine teaching hospital. Amazingly, the chickens and partridges random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns were similar. This suggests the risk of a common source for the strains isolated from the different animals and illustrates the necessity of novel and improved control programs to prevent and restrict this significant disease which is prevalent among poultry species.

Arthrodesis was achieved in two foals through the placement of three 4.5 mm cortical lag screws. Two screws were placed in a standard transarticular fashion from the dorsal aspect of P1 (glide hole) to the palmar aspect of P2 (thread hole). A third transarticular lag screw was placed from the dorsal aspect of P2 (glide hole) to the palmar aspect of P1 (thread hole). Both foals were comfortable and considered suitable for light work. Crossed transarticular lag screw fixation of P1 and P2 in cases of PIPJ arthrodesis in foals is a simple and useful method offering good stability for fusion and future athletic soundness.

Erythromycin-resistant Campylobacter were isolated from pig, cattle, and poultry carcasses slaughtered in Poland between 2008 and 2011. A total of 1335 strains were examined and among them 20 (1.5%) showed a high level of erythromycin resistance (≥ 32 mg/l) as determined by the microbroth dilution method. All these isolates were C. coli and mainly originated from poultry (15 strains). PCR amplification or DNA sequencing identified the mutation A2075G in the 23S rRNA gene in all strains tested. The vast majority of such C. coli were also resistant to quinolones, tetracyclines, and streptomycin whereas none of them revealed resistance to gentamycin. Furthermore, several isolates (14; 70.0%) displayed multi-resistance pattern against quinolones, aminoglycosides, and tetracyclines. PCR analysis identified several putative virulence genes such as cadF, flaA, and iam (present in all erythromycin resistant isolates) as well as the cdtA and flhA markers (19 and 16 strains, respectively) among C. coli tested. On the other hand, only two out of 20 isolates were positive for the ciaB and docA genes. Furthermore, none of the analysed strains had the virB11 and wlaN markers. A molecular relationship determination of the erythromycin-resistant C. coli performed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed 17 different types. This reflects the high genetic diversity among the examined isolates. The results obtained suggest that erythromycin-resistant C. coli from food-producing animals may represent an underestimated potential health risk for consumers.

Three dogs were evaluated due to the presence of unilateral adrenal gland masses with or without clinical signs. Case 1 showed a unilateral non-functional adrenocortical adenoma, discovered accidentally while Case 2 presented a unilateral cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenoma; a pheochromocytoma was accidentally discovered in Case 3. The adrenalectomy was the treatment of choice in all cases. The development of diagnostic imaging techniques, mainly ultrasonography, and its application to routine abdominal examinations, have allowed the detection of adrenal gland masses more frequently. However, there is no pattern of echogenicity or architecture which would help in the differentiation in a functional tumour from a non-functional tumour, a pheochromocytoma, a metastatic lesion to the adrenal or a granuloma. A complete description of history, clinical signs, laboratory analysis and imaging studies is included. Moreover, a revision of the different types of adrenal gland tumours, with their clinical presentation, a standardised diagnosis protocol and options for treatment are discussed.

Information provided in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal database of the European Commission on "crustaceans and products thereof" for Bangladesh during 2000-2012 was investigated to analyse the trends of occurrences. A total of 159 (10.56%) notifications (alert - 40; border rejection - 47; information - 72) were recorded for Bangladesh against a worldwide 1505 notifications. During the period 120 (20.27%) notifications were identified for residue of veterinary medicinal products against 592 notifications recorded in the portal. Forty-eight consignments were re-despatched to Bangladesh while 11 consignments were destroyed at the European border as a consequence of the notifications by the European countries.

Double fixed-time insemination after ovulation induction is commonly used in pigs to obtain in vivo produced embryos at defined stages of development for downstream biotechnological applications. However, variations in the time of ovulation and fertilisation of the ovulated oocytes by spermatozoa, mainly in one of the inseminations, can cause diversities in embryo development. The aim of the present study was to reduce embryo diversity and to achieve a 'uniform outcome' of porcine embryo stages using single laparoscopic fixed-time insemination (LIUI). Altogether, 48 puberal German Landrace gilts were included in the study. Estrus of gilts was synchronized by 15-day long altrenogest (Regumate^®) feeding and follicle development was stimulated with 850 IU eCG 24 h after the final altrenogest application. Ovulation was induced with 500 IU hCG 80 h after eCG. LIUI was performed 31 h after hCG treatment. Gilts under general anaesthesia were fixed in a dorsal position, a pneumoperitoneum was produced and three trocar cannulas were inserted into the abdomen for optics and instruments. Each uterine horn was carefully punctured 10-15 cm caudal from the utero-tubal junction with a 2.5 mm trocar. A 2.2 mm catheter was inserted about 3 cm into the uterine lumen and 20 ml of extended fresh boar semen (32.2 × 106 sperm cells/ml) were injected. Embryos were surgically flushed from the genital tract two (Day 2) and three (Day 3) days after insemination. Altogether, 778 oocytes/embryos were recovered (recovery rate 68 ± 17%); 45 of 48 gilts (93.8%) revealed fertilisation and 76.1% of the recovered embryos (n = 592) were at the 2- and 4-cell stage. On Day 2 (n = 22 gilts), a higher percentage of gilts (72.7%, P < 0.05) displayed only 2-cell embryos compared with gilts which had 2- and 4-cell (22.7%), or only 4-cell embryos (4.6%). On Day 3 (n = 23 gilts), the proportion of gilts with 2-cell, 2- and 4-cell, and only 4-cell embryos shifted to 4.3%, 0% and 95.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate high rates of fertilisation and homogenously developed embryos after single fixed-time laparoscopic intrauterine insemination in gilts. Additionally, these results were achieved by inseminating a 60% lower number of sperm cells per insemination dose compared to usual doses used for transcervical insemination. In conclusion, LIUI can be recommended for the in vivo production of embryos in a homogeneous developmental stage, and also as an alternative method for low-dose insemination.

Essential oils (EOs) are important aromatic components of herbs and spices and their biological activities have been known and utilised since ancient times in perfumery, food preservation, flavouring, and medicine. Some of their biological activities include antibacterial, antifungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects amongst others. EOs have received attention in recent years as potential 'natural' alternatives for replacing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in animal diets due to their positive impact on growth performance, gut microbiota and welfare. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of our own published and unpublished data on the antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal activity of thymol and cinnamaldehyde (TC blend), and to describe the effects of this specific EO blend on gut microbiota, growth performance and welfare, carcass characteristics and food safety. The possible modes of action of EOs are discussed and areas for future research are proposed.

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection is an emerging infectious disease of ruminants first described in Germany in November, 2011. Since then it has spread very rapidly to several European countries. The disease is characterised by fever, reduced milk production and diarrhoea in cattle and abortions, stillbirths and foetal abnormalities in sheep and goats. SBV is an enveloped, negative-sense, segmented, single-stranded RNA virus, classified in the genus Orthobunyavirus of the Bunyaviridae family, and is closely related to Akabane, Ainoa and Shamonda viruses. As of now there is no vaccine available for SBV, which poses a serious threat to naive ruminant population. Owing to its recent discovery, our understanding of Schmallenberg viral disease and its pathology and pathogenesis is limited. This article reviews the data reported so far on this emerging disease with regard to aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis and control and discusses the future scenario and implications of the disease.

Differentiating between the Cryptosporidium species and their subtypes using only microscopy is impossible. Therefore, molecular tools are indispensable for accurate species and subtype diagnosis. However, if these tools are to be used correctly and accurately, the techniques used must be standardised. In the present study, two molecular techniques for diagnosing Cryptosporidium infection in cows were compared to determine the optimal methods. For each technique, we tested two DNA extraction methods, several annealing temperatures for nested PCR reactions targeting the 18S, SSU rRNA (small subunit ribosomal RNA), and the GP60 (60 kDa glycoprotein) genes, and two types of DNA staining reagents, ethidium bromide and GelRed^TM. We determined that one of the tested protocols yields a higher purity of extracted DNA. Additionally, optimised temperatures for the nested PCR of the 18S and GP60 genes were established. Finally, we determined that the GelRed^TM dye was more sensitive than ethidium bromide, and its low toxicity facilitates handling and disposal and reduces environmental contamination.

Mechanical load on the bone influences bone tissue and its inner tension, subsequently affecting bone formation and its histological structure. A precise understanding of this load and the development of strategies to influence it would contribute to principles of fracture management and to solving other bone pathologies of both humans and animals. The long bones of the thoracic and pelvic limb of a pig were here used as possible models to test new devices and implant materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the thickness of compact bone of the diaphysis of porcine long bones and to establish ideal insertion points for tensometer probes, where 2.3 mm is the minimal required thickness, and to evaluate the histological structure of the compact porcine bone. A total number of 96 long bones from 12 pigs was investigated. The investigations consisted of morphometric assessment of the diaphysis of the bones by measuring thickness of the compact bone in different segments of the diaphysis and of microscopical evaluation of the compact bone. Macroscopical assessment of the bones revealed that the minimal required thickness of 2.3 mm of compact bone was found only in the middle and distal segment of the humerus, middle segment of the femur, proximally only on cranial aspect. The radius showed suitable thickness on the medial aspect of its proximal segment and on the lateral and caudal aspect of the middle segment. Tibial compact bone is suitable across the whole middle segment and on its lateral and medial aspect of the distal segment. Microscopical structure of the compact bone revealed characteristics of growing/immature bone characterised by both lamellar and osteonic bone. This study confirms the suitability of porcine radius and tibia for tensometer testing. However, one needs to take into account the different thickness of different parts of the bone planning experiments using tensometers.