About pollen

Biological function of pollen grain is transferring genetic material from male to female reproductive organ. Beside its biological function, pollen is one of the main sources of allergens. Pollen allergens are situated on the surface and inside of the grain.

Among others chemical substances in pollen grain, proteins are the most responsible for causing allergic reactions. (In Ambrosia pollen 6 allergenic proteins are described).

Pollen grain is surrounded wit two walls. Outer wall (exine) is made of sporopolenin and it is characterized by distinctive morphological structure. Inner wall (intine) is analog to plant cell cellulose wall.

Through the openings on the exine surface or by rupturing of the pollen wall content of the pollen grain could be relesed.

Antigens from pollen grains dissolve on wet surfaces in nose, mouth and eyes which induce reaction of immune system.

Timing, length and the pollen production depends on genetic potential of species and of environmental parameters such as temperature, humiditz, insolation. (for example one birch tree produces aproximately 278 bilon pollen grains).

Information on airborne pollen concentrations could be considered as an important for prevention of allergic reactions.

Airborne pollen monitoring in our conditions starts on 1^st of February and ends on 1^st November.

The most important parameters that describe pollen season are:

• start and length of pollen occurrence in the air
• day with maximal pollen concentration
• number of days when concentrations are higher than critical values

  Airborne pollen concentrations are the highest during warm and dry weather with mild wind, and during cold and wet dazs the concentrations are the lowest.