Determination of annual reproductive cycle in male sterlet,Acipenser ruthenus using histology and ultrasound imaging

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal testicular development in the cultured sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus. During annual sexual cycle of male sterlet,...     

Novel technique for definite blastomere inhibition and distribution of maternal RNA in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus embryo

Fisheries Science - The cleavage pattern of a vertebrate’s embryo is either holoblastic (complete) or meroblastic (partial). Sturgeon and other basal bony fishes represent a transition of the...     

Root zone selenium reduces cadmium toxicity by modulating tissue-specific growth and metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.)

The effects of selenium (Se) cadmium (Cd) interactions on plant growth and metabolism are not fully clear. In the present study, we assessed whether Se could alleviate the toxic effects of Cd on growth and metabolism of maize. Seeds of maize variety FH-985 were sown in pots filled with sand treated with CdCl₂ (0, 50 and 100 µM) and Se (0, 2 and 4 mg L^?1) through Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Low Se (2 mg L^?1) increased germination percentage and rate, while high Se (4 mg L^?1) increased fresh and dry biomass under Cd stress. Interestingly, all Se concentrations were effective in alleviating the toxic effects of Cd on photosynthetic pigments, whereas higher Se mitigated the Cd-induced oxidative stress and increased flavonoids both in the shoots and roots while phenolics in the roots. The results demonstrated that root zone Se altered tissue-specific primary metabolism in maize. Furthermore, low Se mitigated the Cd-induced decrease in total proteins in the root. Overall, Se-mediated decrease in the oxidative stress in the shoots while increase of secondary metabolites in the roots helped the plants to grow faster at early growth stage and caused increase in the biomass under different Cd regimes.     

Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term

To date, there is no reported standard mating ratio for Nigerian native chickens despite their large population in the country. This study investigated the effect of mating ratio on behaviour, semen quality and level of stress. Sixty-three (9 cocks and 54 hens) sexually matured birds were randomly assigned to three mating ratios (MR) of 1 cock to 3 hens (1C:3H), 1 cock to 6 hens (1C:6H) and 1 cock to 9 hens (1C:9H), and each MR was replicated three times. Each cock spent 2 weeks in a particular MR before it was moved to another. By the 6th week, all cocks had experienced the three mating ratios. Behaviour of the hens and sexual behaviour of the cocks were observed in the morning and evening, respectively, for 6 weeks. At the end of 2nd week in each MR, semen samples were collected and evaluated for motility, morphology, liveability and concentration, and blood samples were also taken from the cocks to determine the heterophil/lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, an indicator of stress. There was also no significant effect of mating ratio on the fertility of eggs and hatchability of the chicks. The number of hen–hen aggression instances, frequency of visits to the nest box and duration of nesting was not influenced by the mating ratio. However, the duration of nest seeking was higher at 1C:3H and lower at 1C:9H. A mating ratio of 1C:9H is therefore recommended for farmers interested in raising Nigerian native chickens.     

Glycine betaine counteracts the inhibitory effects of waterlogging on growth,photosynthetic pigments,oxidative defence system,nutrient composition,and fruit quality in tomato

Glycine betaine (GB) is an important organic compound mediating plant responses to environmental stresses. However, despite ample research on this biomolecule, the potential of GB in mitigating the effects of waterlogging in plants has not been established. Therefore, we studied the influence of GB on growth and physiology of tomato plants under waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging reduced plant growth, degraded chlorophyll, and increased concentration of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide that deteriorated membrane integrity. Waterlogging increased catalase and peroxidase activities. Waterlogging increased the concentration of Na and reduced concentrations of K. Reductions in root Ca were also recorded. GB enhanced growth, concentration of chlorophyll and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase that in turn protected the plants from oxidative damage. GB decreased Na while increasing leaf and root K and stem and fruit Ca under waterlogging. Waterlogging reduced fruit quality. There was decrease in protein, fat, and total dissolved solids and an increase in fruit moisture, P, and Na in plants under waterlogging. GB enhanced fruit quality largely by improving fruit protein, ash, fat, TDS, and Ca, while it decreased fruit Na. The results of this study suggest the use of GB for commercial production of tomato where waterlogging is likely.     

Allelic variation and composition of HMW-GS in advanced lines derived from d-genome synthetic hexaploid / bread wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

The objective of this study was to identify allelic variations at Glu-1 loci of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) advanced lines derived from hybridization of bread wheat and synthetic hexaploid wheats (2n = 6x = 42; AABBDD). Locally adapted wheat genotypes were crossed with synthetic hexaploid wheats. From the 134 different cross combinations made, 202 F₈ advanced lines were selected and their HMW-GS composition was studied using SDS-PAGE. In total, 24 allelic variants and 68 HMW-GS combinations were observed at Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1 loci. In bread wheat, the Glu-D1 locus is usually characterized by subunits 1Dx2+1Dy12 and 1Dx5+1Dy10 with the latter having a stronger effect on bread-making quality. The subunit 1Dx5+1Dy10 was predominantly observed in these advanced lines. The inferior subunit 1Dx2+1Dy12, predominant in adapted wheat germplasm showed a comparative low frequency in the derived advanced breeding lines. Its successful replacement is due to the other better allelic variants at the Glu-D1 locus inherited in these synthetic hexaploid wheats from Aegilops tauschii (2n = 2x = 14; DD).     

Dead-end (dnd) protein in fish—a review

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Dead end (dnd) is a germ plasm-specific maternal RNA discovered in zebrafish and then in other vertebrates. Dnd protein is essential for migration and motility of...     

The Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and its Receptor (EGFR) During Post‐Natal Testes Development in the Yak

Growth factors play critical role in cell proliferation, regulate tissue differentiation and modulate organogenesis. Several growth factors have been identified in the testes of various mammalian species in last few years. In present investigation, the objective was to determine the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in yak testicular tissue by relative quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) from mRNA and protein levels. The testicular tissues were collected from male yak at 6 and 24 months old. Results of RT‐PCR and WB showed that the expression quantity of EGF and EGFR at 24 months of age was higher than at 6 months, and the increase rate of EGFR on mRNA and protein levels was higher than the increase rate EGF during post‐natal testes development. Positive staining for EGF and EGFR was very low and mainly localized to Leydig cells testes at 6 months of age with immunohistochemistry, and seminiferous tubules were not observed. At 24 month of age, both the EGF and EGFR could be detected in Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, sertoli cells and germ cells of the yak testes. However, EGF and EGFR were localized to preferential adluminal compartment and basal compartment in the seminiferous tubules, respectively. In conclusion, the findings in present studies suggest that EGF and EGFR as important paracrine and/or autocrine regulators in yak testes development and spermatogenesis.     

Altered telomeres in tumors with ATRX and DAXX mutations

The proteins encoded by ATRX and DAXX participate in chromatin remodeling at telomeres and other genomic sites. Because inactivating mutations of these genes are common in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs), we examined the telomere status of these tumors. We found that 61% of PanNETs displayed abnormal telomeres that are characteristic of a telomerase-independent telomere maintenance mechanism termed ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres). All of the PanNETs exhibiting these abnormal telomeres had ATRX or DAXX mutations or loss of nuclear ATRX or DAXX protein. ATRX mutations also correlate with abnormal telomeres in tumors of the central nervous system. These data suggest that an alternative telomere maintenance function may operate in human tumors with alterations in the ATRX or DAXX genes.