Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against cell surface antigens in cattle

The BALB/c mice were immunized three times with bovine lymphocytes and thrombocytes in vivo. Besides, dissociated spleens of the mice were immunized with bovine lymphocytes in vitro. Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies were formed as a result of the fusion of the spleen cells with the murine myeloma cells. On the whole, four fusions were performed after immunization in vivo and three fusions after immunization in vitro, and 70 stable hybridoma clones were obtained. Five monoclonal antibodies exhibited an identical specific reaction only with bovine thrombocytes, two antibodies reacted only with a certain limited population of bovine spleen cells. The remaining monoclonal antibodies exhibited no tissue specificity and were bound to the lymphocytes of peripheral blood, lymph nodes, thymus, and spleen, to thrombocytes, liver cells, and spermatozoa, but never to erythrocytes. As for the amount of the obtained hybridomas and specific antibodies, no significant difference was observed in the effectiveness of in vivo and in vitro immunization.     

Changes in surface follicles and ovarian weight in testing for responsiveness in dairy cows after induction of superovulation using PMSG and cloprostenol

We evaluated the ovaries of 34 cows cross-bred of the Slovak Pied and Lowland Black-pied breeds which were culled and intended for slaughter during the winter type of feed rations. For superovulation treatment we used PMSG in the preparation Serum Gonadotropin (Bioveta, Nat. Ent., Ivanovice na Hané) and cloprostenol in the preparation Oestrophan inj. Spofa. We weighed the excised ovaries, fixed them in formalin 10% and made a quantitative evaluation of the surface follicles and differentiated them into recruited and selected or dominant follicles. We determined the concentration of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone with the aid of the 3H RIA set from the firm Sorin after extraction by diethylether with separation of free and bound hormone with active charcoal. 72 hours after the giving of cloprostenol 43% reacted positively to superovulation treatment and after seven days a 50% positive response was recorded. After a dose of 2000 i. u. of PMSG (n = 6) embryo was obtained, whereas after 3000 i. u. of PMSG (n = 8) we flushed out eight embryos, of which four zygotes were suitable for transfer. After a higher dosage of PMSG there was an increase in the average weight of the ovaries, in right-hand ovaries significantly with P less than 0.05. After super-ovulation treatment the concentration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in the follicular fluid from follicles seven days after insemination was found to be so low as to be below the limit of detection, with the exception of four samples (mean = 8.60 nmol.l-1). The greatest concentration of E2 was from animals (n = 5) 72 hours after the giving of cloprostenol--1099.61 nmol.l-1) of follicular fluid. The concentration of testosterone was lower in the follicles of untreated cows in the follicular phase (mean = 5.92 nmol.l-1) compared with the follicles of super-ovulated animals the seventh day after insemination (mean = 14.12 nmol.l-1). The number of recruited and especially selected surface antral follicles 72 hours (n = 7) after the giving of cloprostenol and seven days (n = 8) after insemination was significantly higher in the group of brood cows reacting positively to superovulation in comparison with the animals which did not respond. It appears that the simultaneous monitoring of hormonal and morphological changes in the follicular system will help in objectivising the evaluation of the functional activity of stimulated follicles.     

Dermatomycosis in sheep caused by a rare strain of Trichophyton verrucosum

In the group of sheep reared for blood collections the enzootic occurrence of dermatomycosis was found affecting the hair on the head and back. From the pathological material obtained from the lesions of twelve animals an identical strain of Trichophyton verrucosum was cultivated which differed from common isolates of this type macromorphologically. By its ability to grow in the medium without vitamin and by its thermotolerance this isolate resembled the physiological variety T. verrucosum Bodin 1902, var. autotrophicum Scott 1976. On the example of trichophytosis in the described sheep flock epizootological importance of foci of this infection is demonstrated in flocks where no immunopreventive precautions are taken.     

The occurrence of helminths in calves from large capacity barns

In calves aged one to six months, housed in a large-capacity calf-house, helminths of the genera strongyloides, Chabertia, Bunostomum, Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Trichuris, Capillaria were detected. The presence of helminths in this calf-house has a seasonal nature, owing to the composition of the feed ration. The helminthofauna of calves, mainly to five- to six-month-old ones, was the same as in adult cattle on the farms from which the calves had been concentrated to the large-capacity calf-house.     

The effect of hormonal stimulation on the follicle population in the ovaries of ewes during estrus and anestrus

In the oestral and anoestral periods, 129 ewes of the Slovak Merino breed were treated with different doses of the stimulants PMSG, PGF2 alpha, HCG, SG and FSH after synchronization by means of Ageline tampons. In the anoestral period, PMSG doses of 750 and 1000 i. u. were found to increase the number of tertiary follicles from 12.3 to 17.2 and 18.6, whereas the dose of 1500 i. u. was found to reduce this number from 18.6 to 13.5. PGF2 alpha increases the average number of tertiary follicles from 12.3 to 22.2 and when it is combined with 750 i. u. PMSG, the increase is to 29.3 tertiary follicles. At higher PMSG doses the ratio of atretic (A) to non-atretic (N) tertiary follicles rose and the number of ovulations increased from 2.5 to 4.0. After synchronization with Ageline and administration of PMSG at the doses of 750 and 1000 i. u., the number of tertiary follicles increased from 16.0 to 18.4 and the number of ovulations from 3.1 to 5.7; the number of atretic tertiary follicles showed no change. In the oestral period, the dose of 1000 i. u. PMSG administered after PGF2 alpha reduced the number of tertiary follicles from 18.9 to 14.5 and increased the number of ovulation from 1.6 to 2.6; an increase was also recorded in the number of atretic tertiary follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characteristics of the meat of cattle with cysticercosis due to experimental infection with the eggs of the tapeworm Taenia saginata and treated with praziquantel

Eleven test and control bullocks of the Bohemian Spotted breed were studied for the effect of cysticercosis and their treatment with praziquantel on the properties of meat and fat. As found, the disease affected the composition of meat and fat and some of the studied characteristics and technological properties of meat. Although the measles disappeared after treatment, they were not resorbed. Therefore, irrespective of the worsened meat quality, the meat and organs of such animals cannot be evaluated in any other way but according to the valid veterinary regulations.     

Values of acido-basic balance in the blood of the beagle breed dog in comparison with the German shepherd dog]

The values of acidobasic balance were examined in 101 dogs of the Beagle breed and in 20 German Sheep-Dogs. The Beagle dogs were divided into five age groups. A difference was found between the values obtained in the group of the youngest dogs and those in older age groups. In comparison with Beagle dogs, the values were higher in German Sheep-Dogs (pH, base excess). A figure is attached representing the deviations of the values of acidobasic balance of blood in the two breeds.     

Meat quality in broilers affected with inflammation of the feather follicles

Broilers with feather follicle inflammation and birds free of this disorder were selected from the broiler chickens kept on plastic (bralen-)coated metallic slats. Both groups of broilers were killed on a sanitary slaughter line and the samples of breast and thigh muscles were analyzed for the basic composition and characteristics of the metabolism of nitrogenous and lipidic components. The content of individual amino acids in the muscles and the proportion of fatty acids in the intramuscular fat of broilers were determined for the evaluation of nutritive value. The samples of the affected spots of skin and samples of organs (liver) were subjected to microbiological examination. The resultant finding represented the common mesophilous microflora. No substantial statistically significant differences in chemical characteristics were found between the two groups. It follows from the results that the inflammation of feather follicles is a local skin disorder with no effect on the quality of the meat.