Effects of Exogenous Glutathione on the Quality of Chilled Bull Semen

Glutathione (GSH) at concentrations of 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mM was added to chilled bull semen to determine its effects on the keeping quality of semen used for artificial insemination (AI). The semen was preserved with egg yolk citrate extender. All samples were stored at 4-8 degrees C for 5 days. Sperm motility and proportion of abnormal acrosome were assessed daily. Sperm motility was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the semen treated with 0.5 mM glutathione than in untreated semen on each day. The optimum sperm motility (>or=50%) for AI was retained significantly (p < 0.01) for 3 days in 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM glutathione treated semen, whereas in 0.3 mM glutathione-treated semen, sperm motility was 46.8% for 3 days. Acrosomal damage was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced after addition of 0.5 mM GSH in the preserved semen. Bull semen can be preserved in chilled condition for 5 days with 0.5 mM GSH with sperm motility above 40% and 12% acrosome abnormality.     

Microfluidic adhesion induced by subsurface microstructures

Natural adhesives in the feet of different arthropods and vertebrates show strong adhesion as well as excellent reusability. Whereas the hierarchical structures on the surface are known to have a substantial effect on adhesion, the role of subsurface structures such as the network of microchannels has not been studied. Inspired by these bioadhesives, we generated elastomeric layers with embedded air- or oil-filled microchannels. These adhesives showed remarkable enhancement of adhesion ( approximately 30 times), which results from the crack-arresting properties of the microchannels, together with the surface stresses caused by the capillary force. The importance of the thickness of the adhesive layer, channel diameter, interchannel spacing, and vertical position within the adhesive has been examined for developing an optimal design of this microfluidic adhesive.     

Insecticidal activity of Arum maculatum tuber lectin and its binding to the glycosylated insect gut receptors

Mannose binding approximately 50 kDa homotetrameric lectin, purified from edible Arum maculatum tuber, was analyzed through SDS-PAGE and studied for its agglutination property using rabbit erythrocytes. Cross reactivity of the purified lectin was verified through western blot using Colocasia esculantum(Family, Araceae) tuber lectin antibody. The insecticidal activity of Arum maculatum tuber lectin (ATL) was tested against two economically important sucking pests, Lipaphis erysimi and Aphis craccivora, in an artificial diet. The LC(50) values for L. erysimi and A. craccivora were determined to be 21 microg/mL and 16 microg/mL, respectively. Addition of alpha-d-mannose in ATL-supplemented diet reduced the aphid mortality. Two major receptor proteins of ATL (approximately 40 kDa and approximately 35 kDa) were detected from the brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) protein of L. erysimi and A. craccivora guts, respectively, using ligand-binding assay. Alpha-d-Mannose was found to be a deterrent to such binding of ATL to the BBMV receptors.     

An efficient technique of mango hybridization

The present study, based on a genetic marker, has shown that the percentage fruit-set from crosses in mango can be doubled simply by doing away with the cumbersome process of bagging the panicles again after cross-pollination by hand. This will facilitate the raising of larger hybrid populations for selection in this highly heterozygous perennial fruit.     

A rapid spectrophotometric method for the estimation of endosulfan

A method has been developed for the estimation of endosulfan, based on the reaction of endosulfan with 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine in an alkaline medium to form a pink complex with an absorption maximum at 520 nm. The method is rapid, and a minimum of 2m̈g endosulfan can be determined. The relationship between the absorbance and concentration of endosulfan is linear in the range of 2 to 100μg.     

The disposition kinetics and residues of fenvalerate in tissues following a single dermal application to black bengal goats

The disposition kinetics of fenvalerate were studied in goats after dermal application of 100 ml of 0.25% (w/v) solution. The insecticide persisted in the blood for 72 h. The mean (±SEM) V _d(area) and apparent t _1/2 () were 9.92±1.44 L/kg and 17.51±2.65 h, while the AUC and Cl_B values were respectively 82.15±7.40 g h/ml and 0.56±0.05 L/(kg h). Four days after the dermal application, the highest concentration of fenvalerate residues was found in the adrenal gland, followed by the biceps muscle, omental fat, liver, kidney, lung and cerebrum in that order. Fenvalerate caused hyperglycaemia but had no effect on serum protein and cholesterol levels. Serum acetylcholinesterase activities were increased after 24 h but were below the initial values from 48 to 120 h.Abbreviations Ache acetylcholinestase - AUC total area under the blood insecticide concentration-versus-time curve - Cl_B total body clearance - GLC gas-liquid chromatography - t _1/2() apparent elimination half-life - V _d(area) apparent volume of insecticide distribution based on area method     

Influence of green grass-based diets on growth and reproductive performance in dairy heifers

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to monitor the changes in growth, dry matter intake, and blood profiles (nutrition and reproductive hormones) of dairy...