Identification of the SP22 Sperm Protein in Santa Inês and Dorper Rams

The sperm membrane protein referred to as SP22 has been identified in different species and, at least in rats, is highly correlated with fertility. The goals of this study were to identify and to quantify the SP22 protein on spermatozoa from adult rams (Dorper and Santa Inês breeds), and to correlate its levels to morphological and kinematics parameters. SP22 on ram sperm was effectively quantified by both enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescein isothiocyanate immunostaining analysis and the two methods were significantly correlated (R² = 0.70). Clustering analysis of motility parameters obtained by computer‐assisted semen analysis system was used to establish that three distinct kinematic subpopulations with different vigour and progressiveness coexistent within ejaculate. While there were significant differences in the distribution of the three subpopulations in the rams, there was no significant correlation between the proportion of each subpopulation in the rams and the SP22 levels. Quantification of SP22 immunostaining intensity was not correlated with any of the sperm parameters. However, SP22 levels obtained by ELISA were negatively correlated with morphological abnormalities and positively correlated with membrane integrity (three variable R² = 0.47). Future breeding studies are now needed to validate that this protein is a biomarker of fertility in this species.     

Phytoplankton community structure and the drawdown of nutrients and CO2 in the southern ocean

Data from recent oceanographic cruises show that phytoplankton community structure in the Ross Sea is related to mixed layer depth. Diatoms dominate in highly stratified waters, whereas Phaeocystis antarctica assemblages dominate where waters are more deeply mixed. The drawdown of both carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrate per mole of phosphate and the rate of new production by diatoms are much lower than that measured for P. antarctica. Consequently, the capacity of the biological community to draw down atmospheric CO2 and transport it to the deep ocean could diminish dramatically if predicted increases in upper ocean stratification due to climate warming should occur.     

Caprine retrovirus infection in New South Wales: virus isolations, clinical and histopathological findings and prevalence of antibody

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) was isolated by explant cultures of carpal synovial membranes and lung from 7 goats in New South Wales. These goats were clinically affected with the arthritic, neurologic, and pneumonic forms of CAEV infection either singly or in combination. CAEV antibody was detected by the gel immunodiffusion precipitin (GDP) test in 5 of the 7 goats. Serum samples from 2,708 goats, from 115 herds, were examined for CAEV antibody using the GDP test. Approximately one-third of the animals and 82% of the herds tested had CAEV antibody. The infection was common in all breeds of dairy goats with an indication of a significantly lower prevalence in the Saanen breed (24.4%) compared to Nubians, British Alpines and Toggenbergs (43.8%, 38.7% and 39.1% respectively). CAEV antibody was also demonstrated in 11 of 230 Angora goats. The infection was equally common in all age groups, with slightly higher prevalence in males (83 of 230, 36%) compared to females (648 of 2,232, 29%). Among seropositive animals 85% were clinically normal. Of 280 clinically affected goats tested only 42% had detectable antibody. One of 5 sheep that had been in contact with infected goats in one herd had CAEV serum antibody.     

生物医学工程专业人体解剖学的教学方法体会

结合生物医学工程专业的特点,探讨了人体解剖学课程的教学方法。通过采用合理安排教学内容、归纳、比喻和创设情境、画图法、多媒体、实验等方法,提高学生的学习兴趣,进而提高教学质量。     

Follicle Deviation in Ovulatory Follicular Waves with One or Two Dominant Follicles in Mares

The follicle and hormone aspects of diameter deviation and development of one dominant (≥28 mm) follicle (1DF) vs two dominant follicles (2DF) were studied in 32 ovulatory follicular waves in mares. Follicles were ranked each day as F1 (largest) to F3. The beginning of deviation was designated day 0 and preceded the first increase in the differences in diameter between F1 and F2 in the 1DF group and between a combination of F1 and F2 vs F3 in the 2DF group. One dominant follicle and 2DF developed in 21 (66%) and 11 (34%) waves, respectively. Double ovulations occurred in only one of the waves with 2DF. In 8/11 waves with 2DF, a second deviation occurred between F1 and F2 on 2.5 ± 0.4 days after the first deviation. On day 0, 1DF and 2DF waves were similar in number of days after ovulation, number of follicles, difference in diameter between F1 and F2, and plasma concentrations of LH, estradiol and immunoreactive inhibin. The interval from maximum FSH concentration to day 0 was longer (p < 0.05) and FSH concentration was lower (p < 0.05) on days -1 to 4 in the 2DF group. The similarities on day 0 in the characteristics of 1DF and 2DF waves despite the differences in the declining portions of the FSH profile indicated that a specific day of the FSH decline or a specific concentration were not factors in initiating deviation. Unlike reported results in heifers, the results in mares did not indicate a hormonal basis for the development of 2DF or two deviations.     

分析中国栽培大豆遗传多样性所需SSR引物的数目

我国拥有极其丰富的大豆资源。传统的方法是根据农艺性状来分析其遗传变异，但农艺性状受自然环境和人为因素影响明显。随着大豆育成品种的增加，有限的表型变异已难以详细阐明我国2万余份大豆品种的遗传变异情况，需要从DNA分子水平深入研究我国大豆资源遗传变异分布规律。本研究以190份为大豆为初选核心种质的一个无偏样本。用60对SSR引物扩增，获得606个等位变异，平均每个位点有10个等位变异。位点多态信息量范围从0．55到0．99，平均为0．83。对190份大豆相似系数矩阵的标准误分析表明。SSR引物数增加到50左右时。再增加引物，标准误变化很小。共表型矩阵之间的相关性测验显示，当等位变异数达到570以上，相互之间相关性极显著。从实验材料中选取东北春大豆类型作为一个小样本进行共表型矩阵相关性分析也有类似结果。用SSR方法分析中国栽培大豆(G．max)遗传变异关系时，只有等位变异数达到一定的范围时，才能真实地反映出品种之间的遗传变异关系。当群体的遗传变异范围变得相对较小时。分析个体之间的遗传变异关系所需的等位变异数目也相应降低。结合SSR位点在大豆基因组中的分布和基因多样性水平。能够找到分析栽培大豆遗传多样性的核心SSR引物。只有获得等位变异数在570以上。才能客观地反映出中国栽培大豆遗传变异关系。