The Effect of Season on Spermatozoa Motility,Plasma Membrane and Acrosome Integrity in Fresh and Frozen–Thawed Semen from Xinong Saanen Bucks

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the season of ejaculate collection influences seminal quality parameters of pre‐ and post‐freeze–thawing in Xinong Saanen bucks. Ejaculates were collected from eight bucks throughout the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) in a 12 months’ time period, identified in the Northern Hemisphere. Semen samples were evaluated by the combinations of conventional and Computer‐Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) when fresh and after frozen–thawed, respectively. The results clearly demonstrated that season of ejaculate collection influenced (p < 0.05) fresh semen quality. Highest semen quality was observed during autumn. On the contrary, undesirable indices (significantly lower, p < 0.05) were observed in winter as compared with the other remaining seasons. CASA has clearly shown the influences of seasonal variations on semen motility parameters. Furthermore, season of ejaculate collection was also found to influence sperm freezability. Semen characteristics after frozen–thawed followed a similar pattern with that of fresh ejaculate except in spring. The results revealed that sperm quality was higher (p < 0.01) in summer and autumn than in spring and winter. In conclusion, seasonal variation influences semen quality in Xinong Saanen bucks. In addition to summer and autumn, fresh ejaculates in spring can also be successfully used for AI. Sperm from ejaculates collected during summer and autumn are more suitable for cryopreservation. Hence, it is possible to increase the efficiency of goat breeding by manipulating the seasonal variations of semen quality for immediate AI and/or cryopreservation.     

箭筈豌豆AGAMOUS同源基因及其启动子的克隆和分析

AGAMOUS(AG)是参与植物雌蕊和雄蕊发育调控的最重要花器官同源基因之一。通过TAIL-PCR、RACE和RT-PCR技术相结合,获得了箭筈豌豆花器官同源基因VsAG(VsAGAMOUS)及其上游调控序列。该基因DNA序列总长3 158 bp,CDS区域735 bp,编码含有244个氨基酸残基的蛋白产物。序列在氨基酸水平上与近缘植物豌豆PsAG基因序列一致性达98%,与拟南芥AtAG基因一致性为68%。将该基因在GenBank上注册,登录号为JF313850。生物信息学分析表明,VsAG基因第2内含子区域含有丰富的转录调控元件,在种类和功能分化上与基因上游调控序列表现出相似特征。这一结果暗示了第2内含子对豆科植物AG基因表达调控的重要作用,并为通过基因工程方法创造箭筈豌豆优良育种材料奠定了基础。     

CPPU在西瓜上的应用研究进展

CPPU是一种人工合成的细胞分裂素类物质,具有促进果实膨大和提高坐果率等功能,在园艺作物上有着广泛的应用。本文介绍了CPPU的推广历程,总结了CPPU在促进西瓜坐果和诱导单性结实、解决三倍体无籽西瓜授粉问题及CPPU对西瓜品质的影响等方面的研究进展,分析了其残留的安全性,最后提出了加强植物生长调节剂的生产管理和加快蜜蜂授粉技术研发的建议,以期增强公众对CPPU的科学认识,促进CPPU在西瓜生产中的正确使用。     

RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN TESTES OF BULLS INFECTED WITH BESNOITIOSIS

Ten beef bulls infected with Besnoitiosis were examined radiographically and pathologically. Eight of these were slaughtered soon after diagnosis; two were left for a six-month observation period. The radiographic findings were focal and branching-tree calcification of the testes. Histopathologic examination proved these calcifications to be necrotic sections of the seminiferous tubules. Radiography of the testes as a means of evaluating the fertility status of the infected bull is recommended.     

The Relationship Between Post‐Thaw Sperm DNA Integrity and Non‐Return Rate Among Norwegian Cross‐Bred Rams

With the aim of investigating the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and non‐return rate (NRR) among Norwegian cross‐bred rams, semen from 15 individuals was examined by flow cytometry. Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) quantifies the proportion of spermatozoa with denatured DNA after in situ acid treatment, and the four parameters % DFI, % HDS, MEAN DFI and SD DFI are all different measures of DNA denaturation and maturation. Field fertility, reported as NRR 25 days after insemination was based on all inseminations from a large‐scale breeding programme and supplied by the Norwegian Association of Sheep and Goat Farmers. From each ram, four straws from four different weeks of the breeding season were analysed, and the associations between 25‐day NRR and the mean of the four SCSA parameters were tested using a logistic regression model. The results revealed no association between fertility and % DFI or % HDS, while SD DFI and MEAN DFI showed a significant negative association with NRR. Further, the SCSA values varied significantly between ejaculates within ram among some of the rams in the study. However, no significant association was seen between these intra‐individual differences in sperm DNA integrity and NRR. In conclusion, this study suggests an association between sperm DNA integrity and NRR for rams. However, further research must be conducted to confirm these findings and determine whether sperm DNA assessments can be applied to predict ram fertility.     

Major compositional units of the moon: lunar prospector thermal and fast neutrons

Global maps of thermal and fast neutron fluxes from the moon suggest three end-member compositional units. A high thermal and low fast neutron flux unit correlates with the lunar highlands and is consistent with feldspathic rocks. The South Pole-Aitken basin and a strip that surrounds the nearside maria have intermediate thermal and fast neutron flux levels, consistent with more mafic rocks. There appears to be a smooth transition between the most mafic and feldspathic compositions, which correspond to low and high surface altitudes, respectively. The maria show low thermal and high fast neutron fluxes, consistent with basaltic rocks.     

Lunar Fe and Ti abundances: comparison of lunar prospector and clementine data

The Lunar Prospector neutron spectrometer data correlate well with iron and titanium abundances obtained through analysis of Clementine spectral reflectance data. With the iron and titanium dependence removed, the neutron spectrometer data also reveal regions with enhanced amounts of gadolinium and samarium, incompatible rare earth elements that are enriched in the final phases of magma crystallization. These regions are found mainly around the ramparts of the Imbrium impact basin but not around the other basins, including the much larger and deeper South Pole-Aitken basin. This result confirms the compositional uniqueness of the surface and interior of the Imbrium region.     

鼢鼠破坏对天祝高寒草地土壤营养的影响

对天祝高寒草地在鼢鼠破坏条件下土壤氮、磷的变化特征进行了研究。结果表明,随着时间的增长,鼢鼠破坏后的土壤全氮含量呈先下降后上升的趋势,而速效氮含量呈增加的趋势,其中,新鼠丘和旧鼠丘的土壤全氮含量均极显著低于对照（P〈0．01）,而旧鼠丘的土壤全氮含量极显著高于新鼠丘（P〈0．01）;土壤速效氮含量的变化为：对照〈新鼠丘〈旧鼠丘,对照和新鼠丘的速效氮含量均极显著低于旧鼠丘的含量（P〈0．01）,而对照和新鼠丘之间差异不显著（P〉0．05）。鼢鼠破坏后土壤的全磷含量和速效磷含量均呈现不断下降趋势,土壤全磷含量和土壤速效磷含量的变化均为：对照极显著高于新鼠丘和旧鼠丘（P〈0．01）,新鼠丘显著高于旧鼠丘（P〈0．05）。     

“两型社会”综合指标体系研究

资源节约型和环境友好型社会是社会发展追求的全新高级发展形态.从体现"两型社会"建设特征出发,构造经济、社会和制度3个要素,8个方面,61个三级指标的"两型社会"综合指标体系.在评价指标体系的基础上,详细阐述了指标的说明对象及其关联性.最后,从指标标准的国际对比、前瞻性和统计推算3个方面说明了指标体系应用的原则.