The effect of aerobic exercise after a period of inactivity on bone remodeling and calcium and phosphorus balance in mature horses

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic training after a sedentary period on bone remodeling and Ca and P balance and serum concentrations in varying ages of mature horses. Eighteen stock-type geldings were blocked into three age groups (6 to 10, 11 to 15, and 16 and older years of age), within two groups of nine, with horses randomly assigned to one of two exercise treatments, exercised for 112 days (control) or idle for 56 days followed by 56 days of exercise (treated). Blood samples were taken at the beginning of period I and at 14-day intervals thereafter to determine serum concentrations of osteocalcin (OST), Ca, and P. Dorsal-palmar and lateral-medial radiographs were taken of the left third metacarpal bone on days 0, 56, 84, and 112 to monitor changes in bone density. Total fecal and urine collections were taken for 72 hours on days 0, 56, and 112. Mean serum OST concentrations were affected by treatment (P<.02), time (P<.001); and the interactions of treatment and age (P<.003), time and treatment (P<.001), and time, treatment, and age (P<.001). Overall dorsal (DBRAE), palmar (PRBAE), and medial (MRBAE) RBAE means were affected by time (P<.001), as was overall lateral (LRBAE) RBAE mean (P<.005). Overall DBRAE and PRBAE means were lower (P<.04) at day 56, and higher at day 84 (P<.02) and 112 (P<.001) as compared to day 0. Mean serum Ca concentration was affected by treatment (P<.003) and time (P<.001). Mean serum P concentration was affected by the interaction of time and treatment (P<.001). Mean apparent daily Ca balance was affected bythe interaction of time, treatment, and age (P<.03). Mean apparent daily P balance was affected by treatment (P<.02) and time (P<.001). Biochemical and radiographic data from this experiment suggest that bone remodeling as well as Ca and P balance and serum concentrations are affected by age, inactivity, and exercise in mature horses.     

Impact of Community Forest Management on Biomass Carbon Stocks in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve,Amazonas, Brazil

Forest management can result in net losses of carbon stock. To quantify the impact of the management it is important to assess losses or gains of carbon, as well as the sustainability of the management system. This study quantified the impact management under a Small-Scale Sustainable Forest Management Plan, which is a recently created category of authorized management for small managers in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Impact was quantified on the number of individuals, the biomass of natural regeneration, and the damage to the remaining trees 2 months after logging. The impact of these changes on carbon stock was estimated. The study was carried out in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil, where two areas of small-scale forest management and one control were evaluated. Average total carbon stock previous to logging was estimated at 161.25 ± 9.66 MgC ha^?1. Two months after logging, reductions were found of 3% in one managed area (MA1) and 8.3% in the other (MA3), including the carbon stock from the harvested timber. For each harvested tree, the logging caused damage to 12 trees in MA1 and four trees in MA3. The reductions in carbon stock and number of trees damaged per harvested tree were less than the reductions found for higher impact forest management and other experiences in community forest management. No significant alteration was found in the carbon stock of natural regeneration. However, there was an increase in the number of individuals, both in the logged areas and in their respective control areas.     

Immunolocalization of Melatonin and Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone Receptors in Caprine Ovaries and their Effects During in vitro Development of Isolated Pre‐Antral Follicles

The expression of melatonin type 1 (MT1) and FSH (FSHR) receptors in caprine ovaries and the effects of these hormones on the in vitro development of isolated pre‐antral follicles were evaluated. Follicles (≤200 μm) were cultured for 12 days in α‐MEM (control) or melatonin (100 or 1000 pg/ml) or sequential melatonin medium (100 pg/ml: from day 0 to day 6; 1000 pg/ml: from day 6 to day 12; experiment 1) and in control or sequential FSH (100 ng/ml from day 0 to day 6; 500 ng/ml from day 6 to day 12) or sequential melatonin or this latter plus sequential FSH (experiment 2). MT1 and FSHR expressions were observed in granulosa cells from secondary and antral follicles. The oocytes from primordial and primary follicles also express FSHR. Sequential melatonin increased the percentage of normal follicles and oocyte recovery compared with the control or melatonin (1000 pg/ml) at day 12. In experiment 2, all the treatments increased the normal follicles and growth compared with the control. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the presence of MT1 and FSHR in caprine ovaries. The addition of increased concentrations of melatonin (sequential medium) or FSH can be used to promote the in vitro development of caprine pre‐antral follicles.     

Effect of Physiologically Relevant Heat Shock on Development,Apoptosis and Expression of Some Genes in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Embryos Produced In Vitro

For investigating the effects of physiologically relevant heat shock, buffalo oocytes/embryos were cultured at 38.5°C (control) or were exposed to 39.5°C (Group II) or 40.5°C (Group III) for 2 h once every day throughout in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC). Percentage of oocytes that developed to 8‐cell, 16‐cell or blastocyst stage was lower (p < 0.05) and the number of apoptotic nuclei was higher (p < 0.05) for Group III > Group II > controls. At both 8–16‐cell and blastocyst stages, relative mRNA abundance of stress‐related genes HSP 70.1 and HSP 70.2 and pro‐apoptotic genes CASPASE‐3, BID and BAX was higher (p < 0.05) in Groups III and II than that in controls with the exception of stress‐related gene HSF1. Expression level of anti‐apoptotic genes BCL‐XL and MCL‐1 was also higher (p < 0.05) in Groups III and II than that in controls at both 8–16‐cell and blastocyst stages. Among the genes related to embryonic development, at 8–16‐cell stage, the expression level of GDF9 was higher (p < 0.05) in Group III than that in controls, whereas that of GLUT1, ZAR1 and BMP15 was not significantly different among the three groups. At the blastocyst stage, relative mRNA abundance of GLUT1 and GDF9 was higher (p < 0.05) in Group II than that in controls, whereas that of ZAR‐1 and BMP15 was not affected. The results of this study demonstrate that exposure of buffalo oocytes and embryos to elevated temperatures for duration of time that is physiologically relevant severely compromises their developmental competence, increases apoptosis and affects stress‐, apoptosis‐ and development‐related genes.     

Potential Utilization of Green Tide-Forming Macroalgae from Patos Lagoon,Rio Grande-RS,Brazil

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the biochemical and nutritional characteristics of naturally occurring estuarine macroalgae in the Patos Lagoon (Rio Grande, Brazil). The study of these macroalgae, dominated by Ulva and Cladophora species, contributes to current research on the potential utilization of green tide-forming algae. Although high levels of carotenoids (378 ± 0.02 µg g^?1) and antioxidant activity (75.0% for DPPH) were found in the naturally occurring macroalgae, these macroalgae cannot be used in the food industry due to the presence of toxic levels of arsenic (exceeding the thresholds of both French and Brazilian legislation for food). Regarding the potential of the studied macroalgae as a biofuel source, the low lipid and very high carbohydrate contents suggest a possible use in the fermentation of ethanol, butanol, or methane.     

Synthesis of proximal sensing,terrain analysis,and parent material information for available micronutrient prediction in tropical soils

Precision Agriculture - In developing countries, the use of proximal and remotely sensed data is of critical importance as a less expensive means of obtaining soils information. While proximal...     

Use of real-time extend GNSS for planting and inverting peanuts

Among the main techniques employed in precision agriculture, yield mapping and automatic guidance of agricultural machines are the best-known to farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate, using statistical process control tools, the quality of automatic guidance using satellite signals, to reduce positioning errors and losses in peanut digging. The treatments consisted of the use of manual (operator guidance) and automatic (autopilot) guidance with RTX satellite signals in sowing and digging operations. The quality of the operation was evaluated after collection of 30 points spaced at 100 m for each quality indicator, which are the losses and the errors of alignment of the mechanised sets in sowing and digging operations. From the perspective of statistical control, manual guidance was shown to be compromised for the quality indicators of digging losses. Despite the instability in the sowing and digging operations, the use of automatic guidance proved to be accurate. The use of automatic guidance increases the precision and reduces overlaps (<?38 mm, as stipulated by the supplier) for sowing and digging. The manual sowing mean error between overlaps was stable; however, it did not remain constant over time.

     

Effect of top-dressed potassium fertilization on the yield and quality of cucumber

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of top-dressed potassium (K) application on the production of hybrid cucumber “Sapphire.” The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with five blocks of 0.80 × 0.40 m² each and eight replicate plants per block. The five fertilization rates of K used were 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg K₂O ha^?1. Data collection consisted of the estimation of fruit diameter, fruits length, fruit fresh and dry weights, the number of fruits per plant, and the weight of fruits per plant. The number of fruits per hectare and the fruit fresh weight per hectare were calculated. Fruit tissue was analyzed for determination of macronutrient concentrations, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, sugar contents, and protein content. The data were statistically analyzed using regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant effect of the fertilization rate of K on fruit diameter, fruit fresh and dry weights, macronutrients concentrations in fruits, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and reducing sugars. A quadratic equation was adjusted for the number of fruits per plant and per hectare; fruit yield per plant and per hectare, with maximum top-dressing doses, was estimated to be between 60 and 95 kg K₂O ha^?1. A linear increase was obtained in the pH. An increase in the K fertilization rate caused a linear decrease in the fruit length.     

Effects of live feed containing Panagrellus redivivus and water depth on growth of Betta splendens larvae

Panagrellus redivivus is a nematode with a high protein content and low‐cost production. It is successfully used in the larviculture of shrimp, however, it has not yet been evaluated as feed for Betta splendens larvae. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate P. redivivus as feed for betta larvae maintained at different depths of water. The experiment was based on a completely randomized 3 × 2 factorial design, represented by two feed types and one alternating feeding regime plus two water depths (2.5 and 5.0 cm). The Artemia feed promoted the highest weight gain, followed by the alternating feeding regime. The single use of the nematode as live feed produced the poorest weight gain. The water depth and the feeding method influenced the specific growth rate (SGR). At a depth of 2.5 cm, the alternating feeding promoted similar SGR compared to fish fed with Artemia only. Furthermore, at the greater water depth an improvement in SGR was observed in fish fed Artemia only, but the similarity to alternating feeding regime remains. Thus, the inclusion of nematode is an appropriate and lower cost feed strategy for the betta larviculture independent of water depths.