Effect of chlorimuron-ethyl on Bradyrhizobium japonicum and its symbiosis with soybean

Possible side-effects of the acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl on Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner & Jordan) in pure culture and on inoculated soybean plants growing under controlled conditions were investigated. Growth of B japonicum strain E109 was not affected by this herbicide even when exposed to concentrations 150 times higher than recommended field doses. However, nodulation of soybean plants treated 5 days after emergence with chlorimuron-ethyl at standard application rates was impaired: a 38% decrease in the number of nodules per plant was observed four weeks after treatment. Despite nodule number decrease, no changes in shoot nitrogen content could be detected. Total fresh biomass was diminished by 25% in herbicide-treated plants. Leghemoglobin content in nodules did not vary; nevertheless total nodule protein was diminished by 40% in the herbicide-treated group. ALS activity in different soybean tissues and their relative sensitivity to chlorimuron-ethyl were also investigated. Roots and bacteroids had the greatest specific ALS activities. On a fresh weight basis, the bacteroid fraction displayed the highest ALS activity and was also the most tolerant to in vitro chlorimuron addition: 72% of its activity was retained after including 10 microM chlorimuron-ethyl in the reaction mixture. These results indicate that standard application rates of chlorimuron-ethyl will have limited incidence on B japonicum survival, and effects on nodulation may have little long-term consequences on soybean nitrogen fixation potential. The differences found among soybean tissues not only in intrinsic ALS activity but also in their relative sensitivity to this herbicide suggests that, in leguminous plants living in symbiosis with rhizobia, nodules may contribute to an enhanced tolerance to ALS inhibitors.     

Development of specific PCR primers for identification and detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora capsici</Emphasis> Leon

A PCR-based method was developed for the identification and detection of Phytophthora capsici in pepper plants. Three PCR primers (CAPFW, CAPRV1 and CAPRV2) specific for P. capsiciwere designed based on the sequence of its internal transcribed spacer regions. CAPFW/CAPRV1 amplify a 452 bp product from P. capsici DNA whereas CAPFW/CAPRV2 a 595 bp fragment; neither set amplifies DNA from pepper or several fungi pathogenic to pepper. In conventional (single-round) PCR, the limit of detection was 5 pg DNA for both primer sets, whereas in nested PCR the detection limit for both was of 0.5 fg. However, when the dilution series of target DNA were spiked with plant DNA, amplification declined two-fold in both conventional and nested PCR. The CAPFW/CAPRV2 set in conventional PCR was used to detect P. capsici DNA in inoculated plants. Detection occurred as soon as 8h post-inoculation in stem samples from infected but still symptomless plants. The method was also tested to detect fungal DNA in infected soils.     

Circadian rhythmicity of urea concentration in the liver and blood serum of cockerels]

The circadian rhythmicity of urea concentration was studied in 70 12-day-old cockerels (the Primant commercial hybrid). Urea in the liver homogenate supernatant and in the blood serum was determined by means of diacetylmonoxim (Homolka, 1971). The cockerels were killed in four-hour intervals. Urea concentration in the liver reached its peak at 15.30 o'clock (123.36 +/- 6.32 in conversion to wet tissue or 0.308 +/- 0.01 mg of nitrogen per 100 mg). The circadian rhythmicity of uremia generally coincided with the rhythmicity of urea in the liver.     

Quantitative Untersuchungen über die Nahrungsaufnahme der SchneckeHelix aperta Born

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Reproductive efficiency of Iceland sheep

Iceland sheep are found to be relatively early maturing and the level of reproductive efficiency in the flock is raised by breeding from ewe lambs. Ram lambs are normally used for mating. Ewe prolificacy is progressively being increased by genetic selection for a higher lambing rate in conjunction with improvements in feeding. Lamb mortality is kept at a relatively low level by close supervision at lambing and disease control.     

Estimated BVDV-prevalence, -contact and -vaccine use in dairy herds in Northern Portugal

A study to evaluate BVDV-prevalence, recent -contact and -vaccine use in dairy herds in the "Entre Douro e Minho" (EDM) region in North Portugal was carried out in 124 dairy herds in 2003. Herds were visited to ascertain BVDV-vaccine use and to collect a bulk tank milk (BTM) sample and serum from 1268 cattle to analyse BVDV-antibodies using an NS2-3 ELISA. Fifty-three percent of farmers used inactivated BVDV-vaccines whilst the remaining farmers were not presently using BVDV-vaccines. BMT-antibody results included 35% positives, 25% negative and 39% inconclusive, and were similar in vaccinated and non-vaccinated herds (p>0.05) and allowed estimating a 10% BVDV herd-prevalence from prior knowledge of the relationship between BMT-antibody results and probability of PI cattle in the herd. Overall individual seroprevalence was 27% and was 23% in non-vaccinated and 36% in vaccinated cattle (p<0.05). Contact of the herd with BVDV was assessed according to seroprevalence in young and adult cattle in the herd and it was estimated that 35% of herds were infected or had recent contact with BVDV, 40% were not infected and did not have recent contact with BVDV and the BVDV-infection and -contact status of remaining herds was undetermined. The results from this study indicate BVDV is endemic and BVDV-vaccines are widespread in the dairy-cattle population in EDM region in Portugal.     

Serum protein electrophoresis in retired racing Greyhounds

BACKGROUND: Retired racing Greyhounds are becoming common as pets. Because of their unique physiology, results of routine laboratory tests are frequently outside the reference interval for dogs. Compared with other breeds, Greyhounds have low serum protein concentrations, but the concentrations of different serum protein fractions have not been reported. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to evaluate the results of serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) in healthy, retired racing Greyhounds and compare them with a control group of age- and gender-matched non-Greyhound dogs. METHODS: Agarose gel electrophoresis was done using a standard method; the gels were stained with amido black and scanned with a Cliniscan 2 densitometer (Helena Laboratories, Beaumont, TX, USA). Protein fractions were identified by visual inspection of the electrophoretogram. A Student's t-test assuming equal variances was used to compare the concentration of the different fractions between groups. RESULTS: The concentrations of total protein, total globulins, and alpha-1-, alpha-2-, beta-1-, and beta-2-globulins were significantly lower and the albumin to globulin (A:G) ratio was significantly higher in Greyhounds than in non-Greyhound dogs (P < .05). There was no significant difference in albumin or gamma-globulin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum protein concentrations in Greyhounds are the result of low concentrations of a- and b-globulins. These results should be kept in mind when evaluating both healthy and sick Greyhounds. Additional studies are needed to identify the individual proteins associated with low alpha- and beta-globulin concentrations in Greyhounds.     

Seasonal reproduction in the mare: possible role of plasma leptin, body weight and immune status

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the possible role of leptin, body weight and immune status on reproductive activity throughout the transition period from cyclicity to seasonal anestrus, during anestrus and resumption of ovarian activity in Lusitano mares. Mares in good body condition were monthly monitored throughout 2 years (10 mares in each year) for evaluation of their reproductive status by sequential ultrasonography and plasma progesterone determinations. On the second year, all mares were weighed. Progesterone and leptin were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Parameters of the immune status (phagocytosis and oxidative burst of neutrophils, characterisation of circulating lymphocyte subsets) were also evaluated. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst in blood neutrophils were measured by flow cytometry using commercially available kits. Lymphocyte subsets were assessed by indirect immunofluorescence staining after incubation with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD2, CD19, CD4, CD8 cells markers by flow cytometry. Natural killer cells and B cells were estimated mathematically. No significant difference was found in phagocytosis, oxidative burst and circulating lymphocyte subsets at anestrus and at either phase of the estrous cycle (p>0.05), suggesting that the immune status of the mare was not influenced by the seasonal changes in ovarian activity. This study also suggests that body weight has a direct relationship with plasma leptin levels. Increased concentrations of this hormone in circulation might be associated with the restart or maintenance of ovarian cyclicity in Lusitano mares.