ABSTRACT:In this study we investigated rumen papillae morphology and the localization and expression of the Na + /K + -ATPase in eight sheep fed hay ad libitum (h) or hay ad libitum plus additional concentrate (h/c). Four sheep were provided with the ad libitum h-diet for the complete three-week experimental period. The second group of four sheep received the h-diet for only one week and was fed the mixed hay/concentrate (h/c) diet for another two weeks. The amount of concentrate supplement was stepwise increased from 150 to 1000 g/day and given in two meals. Following slaughter rumen papillae from the atrium ruminis (AR), the rumen ventralis (RV) and the ventral blind sac (BSV) were fixed and examined for morphological changes and Na + /K + -ATPase localization by morphometric methods and immunohistochemistry. Ruminal epithelial cells (REC) originating from the strata basale to granulosum were also isolated. Cellular Na + /K + -ATPase expression (mRNA and protein) and differentiation state were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry. Compared with data from h-fed sheep, morphometric analysis revealed an increased length and width of rumen papillae in h/c-fed sheep, resulting in a marked 41% and 62% increase in rumen papillae surface in AR and RV, respectively. The rumen mucosa of h/c-fed sheep was characterized by a predominant stratum corneum (42 ± 0.7 µm vs. 28 ± 0.5 µm), but the thickness of the metabolically active cell layers remained unchanged. REC suspensions from sheep fed the h/c diet generally contained more cells (7.30 ± 0.83 vs. 3.49 ± 0.52 × 10 7 /ml; P < 0.001) and an increased proportion of REC positive for basal cytokeratin and for the differentiation marker cytokeratin 10 (P < 0.05). Cellular (cell membrane) and epithelial (stratum basale to stratum granulosum) Na + /K + -ATPase localization was similar between rumen regions and was not changed by concentrate feeding. After two weeks on the h/c-diet, a 96% increase in the absolute number of Na + /K + -ATPasepositive REC (6.56 ± 0.84 vs. 3.35 ± 0.51 × 10 7 /ml; P = 0.003) and a 61% elevation (P = 0.043) in Na + /K + -ATPase protein expression in REC from the upper third of the suprabasal cell layers were found. Moreover, a two-fold (P = 0.001) elevation in cell membrane surface area accompanied by a reduction (1.19 × 10

The objective of this study was to examine the alkaline, acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activity in the epithelial cells of oviducts after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the time of puerperium. PCBs were administered in the last days of pregnancy and during early puerperium. Animals in the experimental group were exposed to Delor 105 at a dose of 100 &mu;g/kg/day and were euthanised on Day 17 postpartum (<i>n</i> = 4), i.e. 5 days after the termination of 30-day PCB administration; on Day 25 postpartum (<i>n</i> = 5), i.e. 17 days from the last PCB administration and on Day 34 postpartum (<i>n</i> = 5), which corresponded to Day 28 from the completion of PCB administration. Ewes in the control group were euthanised on Day 17 (<i>n</i> = 3), Day 25 (<i>n</i> = 4) and Day 34 (<i>n</i> = 4) postpartum. The authors demonstrated the inhibitory effect of PCB on the enzymatic system of the oviduct during the puerperal period. The alkaline phosphatase, acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activity in the oviductal epithelial cells during a 34-day observation period exhibited a rising trend (<i>P</i> < 0.001 vs. <i>P</i> < 0.001 vs. <i>P</i> < 0.01) in the control group of animals. Experimental animals exposed to the 30-day PCB administration (Delor 105) showed a stagnant tendency (<i>P</i> > 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase while acidic phosphatase and nonspecific esterase activity (<i>P</i> > 0.05) dropped even below the level of their activity values in the control group. It is essential to continue to monitor the effect of pollutants in exposed industrial areas on reparative and regenerative processes in puerperium and their possible impact on reproductive performance.

The study is focused on the observation of alkaline and acidic phosphatase activity in the glandular cells of uterine endometrium in puerperal ewes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. Ewes of Slovak merino breed (n=25) divided into 2 groups were included in the experiment. The animals in the experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=11) were euthanised on day 17, 25 and 34 postpartum. The ewes in the experimental group were given per os capsules of the chemical preparation Delor 105 of domestic proveniance containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) for a period of 30 days. This preparation is equivalent to the foreign preparation Aroclor 1254. A dose of 100 µg/kg of Delor 105 was given to the animals of the experimental group. These animals were euthanised on day 17 postpartum (n=4) i. e. 5 days from the end of a 30-day period of application; on day 25 postpartum (n=5) i.e. 17 days from the last application of PCB; on day 34 postpartum (n=5), which was equivalent to day 28 from the last application. The ewes from the control group were euthanised on day 17 (n=3), day 25 (n=4) and on day 34 (n-4) postpartum. When evaluating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the glandular cells of the endometrium in the control group, a statistically significant increase (P<0.01) was observed on day 25 and on day 34 (P<0.001) compared to day 17 postpartum. No statistically significant differences in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were observed (P>0.05) in the experimental group. The mean values of its activity in the observed period were below the level of values of day 17 in the control group. Acidic phosphatase activity in the glandular cells of the ewes' endometrium showed a statistically conclusive increase between day 17 and day 25 as well as day 34 postpartum (P<0.001). Acidic phosphatase density in the experimental group of ewes showed no statistically marked change (P>0.05) at the observed intervals postpartum. The discussion is focused on PCB effect on the activity of alkaline and acidic phosphatase in the glandular cells of the endometrium of ewes in the puerperal period

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