Manipulated Mouse Embryos as Bioassay System for Water Quality Control

Mouse pronuclear stage embryos with intact slit zona pellucida (manipulated) were cultured in vitro until the hatched blastocyst stage in simplex optimized medium with higher K⁺ concentration (KSOM) prepared with three different water types: tap, deionized reverse osmosis (D‐O) water and Milli‐Q system (M‐Q) water. The culture media were supplemented with or without protein and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, disodium salt). The rates of hatched blastocysts were significantly affected (p < 0.01) by micromanipulation, protein supplement and water source. The water source has no influence (p > 0.05) on development in EDTA‐supplemented protein‐free culture media, whereas in EDTA‐ and protein‐free culture media, the water quality significantly (p < 0.001) affected the rates of development, with higher rates in media prepared with M‐Q water. The micromanipulated embryos showed higher sensitivity to the water quality (p < 0.01). It worth mentioning that the rates of hatched blastocysts in protein‐free culture media were very low (0–7.5%). Furthermore, the three different water types were analysed by measuring the electrical conductivity, inorganic ions, total organic carbon and endotoxins to evaluate the purity. M‐Q water showed the lowest levels of inorganic ion, total organic carbon and endotoxin concentrations. We concluded that manipulated mouse embryos are good system to evaluate the quality of water used in biological system.     

Identification of blackeye cowpea mosaic virus from germplasm of yard-long bean and from soybean,and the relationships between blackeye cowpea mosaic virus and cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus

Two potyvirus isolates, one from germplasm of yard-long bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp.sesquipedalis) introduced into the Netherlands, and another one from soybean plants (Glycine max) in Indonesia, were compared with two virus isolates of blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (BICMV) from the USA and a Moroccan isolate of cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CAMV). It is proposed that all five isolates be now considered BICMV on the basis of host ranges, symptoms and serology. From our results, and a reassessment of the literature it is suggested to drop the name CAMV in favour of BICMV.Samenvatting Twee potyvirussen, de een in Nederland ingevoerd met genenmateriaal vanVigna unguiculata ssp.sesquipedalis en de ander uit planten van sojaboon (Glycine max) in Indonesië, werden vergeleken met twee isolaten van blackeye cowpea mosiac virus (BICMV) en een Marokkaans isolaat van cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CAMV). Op grond van waardplantenreeksen, symptomen en serologie stellen de auteurs voor om alle vijf isolaten te beschouwen als BICMV. Gebaseerd op de verkregen resultaten en een kritische beschouwing van de literatuur wordt de aanbeveling gedaan om de naam CAMV te laten vallen ten gunste van BICMV.     

Survey of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) for viruses in Morocco

A total of 52 faba-bean (Vicia faba L.) fields, located in the main growing areas in Morocco were surveyed for viruses. From 240 samples with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, the following viruses were detected using electron microscopy, serology, and biological indexing: Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), broad bean mottle virus (BBMV), broad bean stain virus (BBSV), broad bean true mosaic virus (BBTMV), pea earlybrowning virus (PEBV), pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), and a complex of luteoviruses including bean leafroll virus (BLRV). This is the first report of the occurrence of BBTMV, PEMV, PSbMV, and the luteoviruses (including BLRV) of faba bean in Morcco. The luteoviruses and BBMV were found to be the most prevalent. They were detected in 56 and 50%, respectively, of the surveyed fields; while AMV, BBSV, and PEBV were found in single fields only. The remaining viruses were less prevalent, and were detected in a range of 4 to 15% of the fields surveyed. The incidences per field of the prevalent viruses varied and ranged from 1 to 33% for BBMV and up to 20% in the case of luteoviruses. BBMV was found confined to the central and northern parts of the country, BBTMV and PEMV mainly occurred in the central area, while the luteoviruses and BYMV were spread over the faba-bean growing regions of the country.     

Nitrogen metabolism in growing swine receiving a bacterial protein supplement (Alcaligenes eutrophus) instead of soybean meal

In a balance trial with 10 pigs (mean body mass 50 kg) the influence of a bacterial protein supplement (Alcaligenes eutrophus) on N-metabolism was investigated. The bacteria were included into the diet at levels of 7 and 14% at the expense of extracted soyabean meal. Thus bacterial "pure protein" (bacterial non-nucleic acid N X X 6.25) amounted to 30 and 60% of the protein of the ration. Consuming 2 kg of feed dry matter per day the animals of the control group (I) and the experimental groups (II and III) ingested 48 g, 52 g and 55 g of total N respectively. The difference in N-intake is explained by the additional nucleic acid-N, amounting to 19,8% of total bacterial N. Daily weight gain (on average 1054 g) and feed conversion efficiency (feed ingested/weight gain; on average 1,9) were relatively improved at the highest dietary level of bacterial cell mass. Faecal N-excretion was increased significantly, whereas renal N-excretion remained unchanged. Mean apparent N-digestibility was 87,4% showing no significant difference between the experimental groups. N-balance values were noticibly increased following the intake of the bacterial protein supplement. The excretion of urinary urea-N was slightly reduced whereas 4-6 times as much allantoin-N was excreted when bacteria were fed. It is calculated that about 80% of the bacterial purines are renally excreted as allantoin and uric acid.     

Further characterization of dandelion yellow mosaic virus from lettuce and dandelion

A damaging virus isolated in the Netherlands from lettuce was studied and compared with a virus isolated from dandelion orginating from Czechoslovakia. It was found to biologically resemble dandelion yellow mosaic virus incompletely described from dandelion and lettuce in Great Britain (Kassanis, 1944, 1947) and from dandelion in Germany (Hein, 1963). Mechanical transmission was greatly improved by buffer solution and transmission byMyzus persicae seemed to be in the non-persistent manner. Longevity in vitro of the virus hardly exceeded one day. Thermal inactivation was between 60 and 65 °C and the dilution end-point was between 10 000 and 100 000. It was still infectious in leaf material dried and stored over CaCl₂ at 4 °C for 6 1/2 years. The virus was isolated and purified with difficulty and was found to consist of one type of spherical particle of ca 30 nm diameter, with a sedimentation coefficient of 159 S, a buoyant density of 1.42 g.cm^?3 and an A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio of 1.67. An antiserum was prepared with a titre of 256 in the agar double-diffusion test. The virus could be identified in crude extracts from lettuce andChenopodium amaranticolor by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but not by agar double diffusion. It could only be visualized in crude sap in the electron microscope after trapping of virus particles on antiserum-coated grids. The virus cannot yet be assigned to any known virus group. It is of potential economic importance to lettuce because of its occurrence in widely differing regions in Europe, its aggressiveness and virulence on 22 out of 23 lettuce cultivars tested (and on endive) and its pathogenicity toLactuca genotypes which are resistant to lettuce mosaic virus and other important pathogens of lettuce. ‘Laibacher Eis’ was the only cultivar showing some tolerance.     

Direct electron microscopy and serology with plant viruses in leaf material dried and stored over calciumchloride

Most of 43 viruses could easily be detected directly in 53 out of 66 leaf samples dried and stored over CaCl₂ for varying periods of time up to 20 1/2 years. Detection usually was with PTA pH 6.5, but alfalfa mosaic, cucumber mosaic and tomato aspermy viruses required PTA pH 3.0 to 4.0. Bean common mosaic, cowpea aphid-borne mosaic and cowpea mosaic viruses were also easily observed in newly dehydrated samples obtained for diagnosis from Morocco and Tanzania.Broad bean wilt virus, cowpea mosaic virus and cucumber mosaic virus were detected with agar gel-diffusion tests in dry leaf material ground in buffer. This serological assay demonstrated a high concentration of cucumber mosaic virus in leaf material dried over CaCl₂ 20 years ago. This paper further coroborates the value of the CaCl₂ method of dehydration and storage of plant viruses in leaf material.Samenvatting Zeer uiteenlopende plantevirussen kunnen goed worden bewaard in bladmateriaal van geïnfecteerde planten dat is gedroogd en bewaard boven CaCl₂. Bij rechtstreekse elektronenmicroscopische toetsing van 66 monsters met verschillende isolaten van 43 virussen konden in 53 monsters gemakkelijk virusdeeltjes worden waargenomen (Tabel 1 en Fig. 1 en 2). Meestal lukte dit met fosforwolfraamzuur pH 6,5 dat doorgaans voor in ruw plantesap voorkomende virussen wordt gebruikt. Bij luzernemozaïekvirus en komkommermozaïek virus gelukte dit alleen maar bij lagere pH (3,0 en 4,0). Ook het tomate-aspermievirus was dan veel gemakkelijker aantoombaar. Methylaminewolfraamzuur gaf geen beter resultaat.Draden van bonerolmozaïekvirus en van cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus en bolletjes van cowpea mosaic virus waren snel waarneembaar in elektronenmicroscopische preparaten gemaakt van bladmateriaal van recent uit Marokko en Tanzania ontvangen monsters.Cowpea mosaic virus, tuinboneverwelkingsvirus en komkommermozaïekvirus konden eveneens gemakkelijk en snel serologisch worden aangetoond in met bufferoplossing vermalen droog blad van respectievelijk cowpea, erwt en tabak. Het laatstgenoemde, reeds 20 1/2 jaar geleden gedroogde bladmateriaal, bleek in vergelijking met pas geïnoculeerd vers blad van komkommer enChenopodium quinoa zelfs zeer veel serologisch actief virusmateriaal te bevatten (Fig. 3).De beschreven waarnemingen bevestigen nogmaals de waarde van de toegepaste methode van virusbewaring en tonen aan dat het mogelijk is vele virussen te herkennen in van elders ontvangen gedroogde bladmonsters, zonder het risico te lopen van virusontsnapping, zoals altijd aanwezig bij werk met toetsplanten in de kas.Guestworker from Istituto Sperimentale per la Patologia Vegetale, Rome, Italy, participating in the investigations from September 21 to December 21, 1977.     

ACE inhibition in goats under fixed‐time artificial insemination protocol increases the pregnancy rate and twin births

To assess the effect of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on the efficiency of the fixed‐time artificial insemination (TAI), 69 goats were divided randomly into two groups: enalapril (n = 35) and control (n = 34). In the experiment, all animals underwent the protocol of fixed‐time artificial insemination for 12 days. Enalapril group received enalapril maleate dissolved in saline (Enalapril, Lab Teuto Ltda) subcutaneously at the following doses: 0.2 mg/kg/day in D0‐D2; 0.3 mg/kg/day in D3‐D6 and 0.4 mg/kg/day in D7‐D11. The control group received the corresponding volume of 0.9% saline solution. We performed a single insemination 36 hr after sponge removal using frozen semen from two adult male goats with recognized fertility. The ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was 30 days after the artificial insemination (AI). There was significant increase in pregnancy rates and twinning as well as a decrease in foetal loss in animals receiving enalapril (p < .01). The use of ACE inhibitors during the TAI protocol was shown to be a promising alternative to increase the efficiency of such reproductive biotechnology.     

Managing the water balance of The Fayoum Depression,Egypt

A study of the water balances of The Fayoum irrigated lands and Lake Qarun was made to investigate the management of the irrigation system and the efficiency of irrigation water use. The two water balances are strongly interrelated. The drainage flow to Lake Qarun and the water level of the Lake are in delicate balance. A rise in Lake level causes the inundation of adjacent land. Management of The Fayoum water balance assumes control over irrigation water flows, but this control has technical and organizational limitations. Also discussed is the influence of irrigation practices in The Fayoum on the water balance (e.g., the autumn flushing of fields and farmers' preference for not irrigating at night in winter). Notwithstanding a high overall efficiency, irrigation efficiency during the winter is low. The reasons for this are given, together with the constraints against improving system management. Improved uniformity of the division and application of irrigation water will enable a better technical control of flows and will result in better water management in The Fayoum. Abbreviations: FID — Fayoum Irrigation Department, 1 feddan (fe) — 0.4 ha, 1 mcm — 1 million cubic metres: an average annual flow of 3.17 m³/s gives 100 mcm, m³/fe.year — supplied volume (m³) per surface area (fe) per year: 1000 m³/fe.year equals 240 mm/year, MSL — Mean Sea Level     

Division of irrigation water in The Fayoum,Egypt

The division of irrigation water in The Fayoum, Egypt, has been measured. Factors influencing this division are discussed: the hydraulic conditions at structures and canals, the operation regime of gates, lack of reliable gauge data for system operation, shortage of labour, and the water level in Lake Qarun. A deviation from uniform supply has been found for the entire Fayoum, but also along a lateral and sub-lateral. The reasons for this are discussed and suggestions for possible technical improvements of The Fayoum system are given.Abbreviations FWSBM Fayoum Water and Salt Balance Model Project - MSL Mean Sea Level at Alexandria - FID Fayoum Irrigation Department - mcm million cubic metres     

The quality of service provided by the irrigation department to the users associations, Tunuyan System, Mendoza, Argentina

The quality of service provided by the provincial Irrigation Department (DGI) to the Water Users Associations (UA), and subsequently by the UA's to the related water users, is based on the provincial water law. The intended volume of water being delivered per considered period further depends on the water availability and on the (crop irrigation) water requirements. The Service Level (SL) compares the intended water supply with the water supply that would be required to supply the entire irrigable area with sufficient water. As soon as the intended water delivery pattern is set, the measured actual delivery can be assessed against the intention. Several performance indicators are used in this context. Based on the assessment of the Water Delivery Performance Ratio and the Overall Consumed Ratio recommendations are made on changes which can be made to improve water use and reduce problems of waterlogging.