This review discusses the biological properties of the glycoprotein lactoferrin. Lactoferrin has been identified in secretions from exocrine glands and in specific granules of neutrophils. After degranulation, neutrophils become the main source of lactoferrin in blood plasma. Lactoferrin possesses various biological functions, including roles in iron metabolism, cell proliferation and differentiation, and antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic activity. Many of these functions do not appear to be connected with its iron binding ability. Of late, lactoferrin concentrations have been measured mostly in humans but also in some other species. However, the relationship between its concentration and physiological or pathological effects on body functions is not yet well characterised.

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Application of immunostimulating therapy is not necessary to manage changes in blood cell counts and suppression of lymphocyte activity in bitches with pyometra. Removal of the infected uterus, being the source of infection, leads to improvement.

ABSTRACT:A four-year old, 26.5 kg, Boxer bitch was presented to the Department of Reproduction in the Clinic of Dogs and Cats with a six month history of vulvar swelling and vaginal discharge. General gynaecological examination showed an extremely swollen, oedematous and tough-elastic highly irritable vulva. A vaginal smear revealed the presence of superficial cells and red blood cells. After repeated unsuccesful administrations of HCG and GnRH the owner of the bitch agreed to surgical treatment. An ovariohysterectomy was performed and on the left ovary a grapefruit-size structure was found. Three nodular structures were found retroperitoneally and were also dissected. Histological examination showed a disgerminoma in metastasises, mitotically active with a bad prognosis. However, at a check up twenty months subsequently the patient was still alive.

The aim of our study was to compare the quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different techniques-urethral catheterization after medetomidine administration (CT), electroejaculation (EE) and epididymal slicing after orchiectomy (EP). A total of 34 adult male cats (Felis catus) were included in the study. In all male cats, the sperm collection was performed under general anaesthesia by three collection methods in the following order: urethral catheterization, electroejaculation and epididymal slicing. The sperm parameters evaluated were as follows: volume, motility, viability, sperm concentration, total sperm count and morphological examination. The highest quality semen parameters were achieved using EE. The comparison of results of the evaluated sperm quality parameters from EE and EP showed significant differences only in one case-the percentage of head abnormalities and lower percentage of head abnormalities were achieved using EE compared to EP: 8.5% (3.0%-21.0%) versus 10.0% (4.0%-22.0%). Semen collected by CT rendered the lowest quality samples when compared to sperm samples collected by EE and EP, especially with respect to the motility and total sperm count which were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Our study showed that sperm samples collected by EE and EP result in better quality of feline ejaculates compared to collection by CT from sperm samples collected from the same male cats. These results demonstrate the necessity of further research of urethral catheterization as a novel technique of semen collection in male cats.

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This study is the first description of the distribution of mast cells in various phases of the oestrous cycle in the ovary of cat. Furthermore, this is the first description in species with an induced ovulation. The aim was to describe the distribution of mast cells and variability of their numbers in the feline ovaries in different phases of the oestrous cycle. The number of mast cells in medulla ovarii was affected by the estradiol and progesterone level in the blood serum because the lowest number was detected in anoestrus when the levels of hormones were basal. Nevertheless, both high and low numbers of mast cells were found in oestrus and dioestrus. To conclude, mast cells seem to be essential for the induction of spontaneous ovulation, but they do not play the same role for ovulation itself in cats with induced ovulation.