BSE‐associated polymorphisms in the prion protein gene: an investigation

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the 12‐bp and 23‐bp indel polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP) in cattle and to investigate the association between these frequencies and the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). There was no significant difference in the 12‐bp indel frequency between the BSE animals and control group. For the 23‐bp indel, the BSE animals had a significantly lower + + (insins) genotype frequency and + allele frequency compared with the control animals. The ? ? / ? ? genotype frequency in the BSE animals was not significantly higher when compared with the control animals. One ? allele increased the risk of BSE by a factor of 1.55 (i.e. by 55%) for the 12‐bp indel and by a factor of 2.10 for the 23‐bp indel. When both indels are considered, one ? allele increased the risk of BSE by a factor of 1.54.     

Evaluation of haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters of transgenic rabbits

The aim of our study was to compare the hFVIII mRNA expression in different organs, pathological changes and selected haematological and biochemical blood parameters between transgenic and non-transgenic rabbits from F3 generation. Selected physiological parameters of 3- to 4-month-old transgenic rabbits from F3 generation carrying human factor VIII gene (hFVIII) were analysed and compared with those of non-transgenic ones. Before slaughtering, the blood for haematological and biochemical analysis was taken from the central ear artery. Pathological and histological examination of vital organs and RT-PCR analysis of several tissue organs of transgenic and non-transgenic animals were performed after slaughtering. Except for the mammary gland tissue, slight hfVIII mRNA expression in the spleen, lung and brain and none expression in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and heart of rabbits were recorded. pathological examination of vital organs showed some pathological changes in both transgenic and non-transgenic rabbits which were confirmed by histological qualitative evaluations. Statistically significant lower values of blood haemoglobin in blood of transgenic (11.86+/-0.86) animals compared with non-transgenic (12.41+/-1.02, P<0.05) ones and lower parameters of HCT (39.22+/-2.44 versus 40.89+/-2.26, P<0.01) in blood of transgenic rabbits were observed. Parameters of WBC, RBC and PLT showed no significant differences between the analysed groups. All biochemical serum parameters of transgenic rabbits were higher in comparison with non-transgenic ones. Significant differences were found in the concentration of the urea, AST and GMT between transgenic and non-transgenic animals (P<0.001) and in the total protein content, the difference was significant at P<0.05. In conclusion, our results showed that no considerable impact on the general health was found in transgenic rabbits.     

Frequency of a mutant allele of cytochrome b conferring resistance to Ool fungicides in the Czech population of Ramularia collo-cygni

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Ramularia collo-cygni (RCC) is a fungal pathogen infecting both spring and winter barley and causing Ramularia leaf spot (RLS). Fungicides based on...