Non-invasive Pregnancy Diagnosis from Urine by the Cuboni Reaction and the Barium Chloride Test in Donkeys (Equus asinus) and Alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

The aim of the research was to evaluate two chemical tests for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis from urine, the Cuboni reaction and the barium chloride test, in donkeys (Equus asinus) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos). The research was carried out from April 2013 to September 2014. Urine samples were collected on five private Czech farms from 18 jennies and 12 alpaca females. Urine was collected non-invasively into plastic cups fastened on a telescopic rod, at 6-9 week intervals. In total, 60 and 54 urine samples from alpacas and jennies, respectively, were collected. The Cuboni reaction was performed by the State Veterinary Institute Prague. The barium chloride test was done with 5 ml of urine mixed together with 5 ml of 1% barium chloride solution. Results of the Cuboni reaction were strongly influenced by the reproductive status of jennies; the test was 100% successful throughout the second half of pregnancy. However, no relationship was found between the real reproductive status of alpaca females and results of the Cuboni reaction. It was concluded that the barium chloride test is not suitable for pregnancy diagnosis either in donkeys, due to significant influence of season on the results, or in alpacas, because no relationship between results of the test and the reproductive status of alpaca females was found. In conclusion, the Cuboni reaction has potential to become a standard pregnancy diagnostic method in donkeys.

[Use of soft contact lenses after scleroplasty surgery for myopia]. / Aplikace mekkých kontaktních cocek po skleroplastické operaci myopie.

Authors refer their favourable experiences with the application of soft contact lenses used after the performed scleroplastic operation described by Pivovarov. Soft contact lenses were applied in 54 patients where myopia was operated. In 90% of patients the daily use of contact lenses was more than 8 hours. These patients tolerated the contact lenses even better than the patients with myopia but without operation. Compared with the correction with spectacles, the visual acuity was significantly increased in the group using the contact lenses. The visual acuity 6/6-6/9 was achieved in the group of contact lenses wearers in 63% and in the group of patients using spectacles was present only in 29%. In all patients wearing the contact lenses their specific working activity was distinctly enhanced. The modest scarring of the conjunctive as well as presence of implants does not interfere with the contact lens wear, when the myopic operation was carefully performed.