Large Animal Clinical Laboratory
Large Animal Clinical Laboratory (hereinafter LACL) was established on 1/1/2011. It builds on the activities of the Clinical Laboratory of the Department of Diagnostics of Therapy and Prevention which was from its start in 1971 reflected the newest methodologies. The mission of the laboratory is to provide analysis and testing of biological material for the requirements of the clinics, research projects of the laboratory and clinics, also the requirements of veterinary practice and breeders, and additionally, the laboratory serves as a teaching facility for students in both the Czech and English degree programmes. LACL focuses on the examination of biological material in large animals. These are primarily food animals including all categories of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, also horses, llamas, alpacas and others. The analytical activity covers a wide range of biological material analysis – blood, urine, colostrum, milk, rumen fluid, liver and bone tissue, faeces, sperm, fur. Analyses of feeds, nutritional supplements and eggs are also performed here. The laboratory is divided into four departments; the biochemical laboratory which focuses on the determination of biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, urea, bilirubin, indicators of energy metabolism – glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, enzymes – AST, GMT, LDH, GPx, CK, also specific markers – TAS, SOD, haptoglobin and others; immunoassay of hormones (thyroxine, triiodothyronine, cortisol, insulin), acid-base analysis, and urinary profile determination are also performed here. The haematology laboratory performs automated counting of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, haematocrit, haemoglobin and other auxiliary parameters, including the three-population differential (lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes). Furthermore, a manual differential calculation of leukocytes from the blood smear is performed, and a subsequent microscopic evaluation. The third laboratory is used for the assessment of analyses performed primarily in cattle – colostrum immunity analysis and rumen fluid analysis, analyses of vitamins A, E and beta-carotene, volatile fatty acids and lactic acid. Another laboratory focuses on the detection of mineral elements (biogenic and hazardous) in various biological materials. Part of the laboratory is a sample preparation room, where the mineralization of the samples takes place.
In addition to the above-mentioned routine of the established method, specialized tests are also performed in the laboratory, mostly in research projects. These include the detection of SAA, insulin, IGF1, IgG, and cortisol using the ELISA method, the determination of MDA by liquid chromatography and more.
Teaching
Large Animal Clinical Laboratory is also a teaching facility. It provides the course of Laboratory Diagnostics in Food Animals. The course is intended for students in the 3rd year of master’s studies in the Czech and English programmes of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology. The content of the course is an overview of laboratory tests performed on food animals including information on sampling, analytical methods, evaluation of results and determination of the correct diagnosis. Teaching is focused on haematological examinations, assessment of colostrum quality and colostrum immunity in young animals, especially calves, diagnosis of indigestion based on rumen fluid analysis, diagnosis of metabolic disorders and production diseases, vitamin and trace element deficiencies. Great emphasis is placed on the interpretation of the results obtained and on the diagnosis.
At LACL, students complete their compulsory laboratory work experience as part of the master’s degree study of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology. During the work experience, students are integrated into the everyday operation of the laboratory and become familiar with standard procedures and principles of laboratory work.
Research
The research activity is focused on the treatment of metabolic disorders in cows during the transit period, on colostrum quality, rumen fermentation disorders, disorders of the internal environment in young animals, and vitamin and trace element deficiencies. The research is carried out through the projects NAAR, IGA VETUNI, AMR, institutional research FVM and in cooperation with domestic and international companies. The research activities of the laboratory are very extensive and cover a wide range of specializations. Doctoral students working in the laboratory focus on the study of oxidative stress and related diagnostics of antioxidant parameters and markers of oxidative stress during the peripartum period in dairy cows, in metritis, mastitis and other production diseases. Attention is paid to vitamins A, E and beta-carotene in relation to their role in immunity, vitality and antioxidant capacity in calves. Furthermore, the influence of zinc deficiency on the health status of cattle, primarily calves, and the prevention and therapy of the deficiency of this element using various forms of zinc additives, are studied. Diarrheal diseases in calves, the influence of probiotics and prebiotics on the function of the calves’ immune system and their health and prosperity are also investigated. LACL cooperates with a number of universities and research institutes – UVMP Košice, AF SU České Budějovice, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Olštýn, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Wrocław, Research Institute of Animal Production in Prague-Uhříněves, v.v.i. (public research institute).
The laboratory is a world-renowned facility. It shows significant involvement in publication activity and members of the laboratory’s working team participate in domestic and international scientific conferences. Large Animal Clinical Laboratory, in cooperation with the Czech Buiatrics Society and the FVM, annually organizes professional seminars and conferences.
Facilities, instrumentation, and equipment
LACL is located in the Pavilion of Professor Dražan. It is equipped with an automatic biochemical analyser, an immunoassay analyser, a portable acid-base status analyser, a urinary profile analyser, automatic haematological analyser, refractometers, colostrometers, photometers, pH meters, titrators, microscopes, electrophoresis equipment, liquid and gas chromatographs, volatile fatty acid and lactic acid analysers, atomic absorption spectrometers, etc.
Current head
The head of Large Animal Clinical Laboratory is Asst.Prof. MVDr. Josef Illek, D.Sc. – the founder of the laboratory, representative of clinical laboratory medicine for large animals
Interesting facts
Two PhD students’ papers, elaborated at LACL and published in the journal Veterinary Medicine, were granted the award for the best publication of the year in ruminant and swine diseases.
text: Asst. Prof. MVDr. Josef Illek, D.Sc.
