Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immunomodulatory and mast cell stabilising properties, in skin of horses suffering from Culicoides hypersensitivity.

Lactoferrin (LF), a glycogen of the transferrin family with anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory properties, is expressed in various secretions and tissues. Cutaneous LF serves as a mast cell stabilising compound, modulates T cell activity and is found during IgE-mediated late phase reactions at allergen challenged sites. Culicoides hypersensitivity (CHS) in horses is a common IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis, characterised by an early and late phase cutaneous reaction upon allergen challenge.

Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic examinations of the avian eye: physiologic appearance, pathologic findings, and comparative biometric measurement.

Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were performed after routine ophthalmologic and ophthalmoscopic examinations in 190 eyes of six various diurnal (common buzzard [Buteo buteo L., 1758], n = 20; common kestrel [Tinnunculus tinnunculus L., 1758], n = 20) and nocturnal raptor species (barn owl [Tyto alba L.

Lactoferrin expression in the horse endometrium: relevance in persisting mating-induced endometritis.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an estrogen-regulated glycoprotein with well-described antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The present study is the first report on LF expression in horse endometrial specimens. Mares chosen for the study were either resistant or susceptible for persisting mating-induced endometritis (PMIE) during the natural ovulatory cycle and in early pregnancy.

Increased interleukin-1beta mRNA expression in skin biopsies of horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity following challenge with Culicoides nubeculosus extract.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is a primary cytokine of the skin that has a pivotal role in keratinocyte differentiation, epidermal wound healing and host defense. Pathological increase of cutaneous IL-1beta is associated with edema formation, epidermal hyperproliferation and atopic dermatitis in humans. However, in horses the role of cutaneous IL-1beta in edema formation and allergic skin disease has not been characterised so far.

Activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipid peroxidation intensity in stallion semen during storage at 5 degrees C.

Sperm cell membranes are susceptible to peroxidative damage by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidative defence systems consisting of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) physiologically control the balance between ROS production and neutralization. In the present study the hypothesis was tested that lipid peroxidation occurs during storage of semen at 5 degrees C and that semen extender has positive effects on the antioxidative potential of equine semen.