Secondary sexual traits and semen characteristic of chicken germline chimeras

Birds obtained by embryo engineering are used to study embryo development and to produce transgenic birds. As this method of producing birds still generate strong emotions of the public opinion head ornaments, testes and semen characteristics of sex chimera roosters were examined to check whether they differ from chickens obtained by non‐manipulated methods. Measurements of head ornaments, testes and semen were correlated with each other. Semen quality factor (SQF) was calculated, as well as the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of bilateral traits (wattles and testes). Positive correlation was found for comb width and wattle length and comb thickness and sperm concentration. Semen characteristics and FA did not exceed the level encounter in other chicken lines. Results obtained indicate that germline chimeras are similar in appearance of secondary sexual traits, and semen and testes characteristics to chickens produced in non‐manipulated way.     

Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a ubiquitously distributed gap junction protein in testes and other reproductive tissues. Adjacent cells share ions and small metabolites through intercellular channels, which are present in gap junctions. Previously, Cx43 has not been reported in testes, epididymides and prostates either in healthy stallions or cryptorchid horses. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the expression pattern of Cx43 in the reproductive tissues of stallions and examine whether naturally occurring bilateral cryptorchidism has any influence on distribution and expression of Cx43. METHODS: The expression and the presence of Cx43 protein were detected by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis using a polyclonal rabbit anti-Cx43 antibody. RESULTS: In stallions, gap junctions appeared as structures localised to cell-cell contacts between adjacent cells. In testes, Cx43 expression was detected in the interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules, between Leydig and Sertoli, as well as Sertoli and germ cells. In epididymides, Cx43 was localised between epithelial cells, whereas in prostates, between secretory cells of the glandular epithelium. In the cryptorchid, a clear reduction of Cx43 signal was observed in all reproductive tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Coupling of Leydig cells via gap junctions may suggest that steroidogenic function of the testis is under the influence of these intercellular channels. Within seminiferous tubules, the expression was found to be stage-specific, pointing to its role in coordinating spermatogenesis. Differential distribution of Cx43 protein in the reproductive tract of normal and cryptorchid stallions indicates that expression is clearly dependent on the physiological status of the horse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Detection of Cx43 expression in equine testicular, epididymal, and prostatic cells is important for a better understanding of the role of intercellular membrane channels in direct cell communication within the reproductive tract of stallions.     

The application of tannic acid to the elimination of egg stickiness at varied moments of the egg swelling process in pikeperch,Sander lucioperca (L.)

The aim of this article was to analyse the process of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, egg swelling and to apply tannic acid to eliminate egg stickiness at different moments of the swelling process on artificially obtained eggs. The first experiment involved observation of egg swelling process and the second determined the effect of temperature (12, 14 and 16°C) on the egg swelling rate. The third experiment involved elimination of egg stickiness in a tannin solution (0.75 g L^?1) where eggs were submerged in a solution for 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 min – 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min following gamete activation. The results indicate that the pikeperch egg swelling process lasts 30 min. It was found that the temperature did not affect the process duration. The results of the third experiment showed that the effectiveness of tannic acid application in egg stickiness elimination increases with time. The best result was obtained in groups of eggs submerged for 1 and 2 min (86.5% and 80.5% of larvae were obtained respectively) 30 min following the gamete activation. The results presented in this study for the first time indicate the possibility of highly effective procedure of egg stickiness elimination with tannic acid in pikeperch aquaculture.     

The effect of various nitrogen fertilization and foliar nutrition regimes on the concentrations of nitrates,ammonium ions,dry matter and N-total in carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots

Two field experiments (Experiment I in 2003–2005 and Experiment II in 2004–2005) with carrot c.v. ‘Kazan F₁’ were conducted at Trzciana village (50°06′N, 21°85′E). The experiments were arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. Two sub-blocks were identified in both experiments: I, without foliar nutrition; II, receiving plant foliar nutrition. The plants were sprayed three times alternately with: 2% urea solution, 1% solution of multi-component ‘Supervit R’ fertilizer (produced by Intermag, Poland) and again with 2% urea solution. Combinations with diversified nitrogen fertilization were distinguished within both sub-blocks. Experiment I comprised of: (1) Control, (2) Ca(NO₃)₂ 70, (3) Ca(NO₃)₂ 70 + 70, (4) (NH₄)₂SO₄ 70 and (5) (NH₄)₂SO₄ 70 + 70. Experiment II included: (1) Control, (2) ENTEC-26 35 + 35, (3) ENTEC-26 70 + 70, (4) ENTEC 26 105 + 105, (5) NH₄NO₃ 35 + 35, (6) NH₄NO₃ 70 + 70, (7) NH₄NO₃ 105 + 105. Where 70 kg N ha⁻¹ was used before sowing, whereas 35 + 35, 70 + 70 and 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ were applied before sowing and as top dressing. Solid nitrogen fertilizer was added to the soil (produced by): Ca(NO₃)₂, Yara International ASA (Hydro); (NH₄)₂SO₄, Zak?ady Azotowe in Tarnów, Poland; NH₄NO₃, Zak?ady Azotowe in Pu?awy, Poland; and ENTEC-26, COMPO GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. The research aimed at determining the effect of diversified nitrogen fertilization and foliar nutrition on NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, N-total and dry matter (d.m.) concentrations in carrot, and N uptake by storage roots. In Experiment I, nitrogen fertilization did not affect NO₃⁻ concentration, whereas in Experiment II, the applied N treatment increased NO₃⁻ concentration in carrot in relation to the control, except for the storage roots of plants fertilized with ENTEC-26 35 + 35. Nitrogen fertilization applied in both experiments caused a significant increase in N-total concentration in carrot and N uptake by storage roots in comparison with the control plants. In both experiments, nitrogen fertilization had a different effect on the concentrations of NH₄⁺ and d.m. in carrot. What is more, foliar nutrition treatments in both experiments had a different effect on the concentrations on NO₃⁻, N-total, d.m. in carrot and N uptake by carrot storage roots.     

Effect of Preharvest Sprays of Calcium on Cracking and ‘Schattenmorelle’ Sour Cherry Fruit Quality Harvested Mechanically

The aim of the study was to examine effect of preharvest sprays of calcium (Ca) in the form of Ca-chloride (CaCl₂), Ca-nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂], or a mixture of Ca-formate, Ca-acetate, CaCl₂, and Ca(NO₃)₂ on cracking and quality of ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry fruit harvested mechanically. The experiment was conducted in 2008–2009 at a commercial orchard in central Poland. Mature trees grew on a coarse-textured soil poor in organic matter, at a spacing of 4.0 × 1.5 m. The spray treatments of Ca were performed at 7-day intervals, starting 28 days before harvest, at the rates of 5.0–5.6 kg Ca ha^?1 per season. The trees sprayed with water were treated as the control. Fruit were harvested mechanically when peduncle-fruit detachment force dropped below 3 N. The results showed that preharvest Ca sprays caused no leaf damage. This measure did not affect yield, mean fruit weight, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of fruit, and weight loss of fruit during 24 h after harvest. Fruit sprayed with Ca had improved status of this nutrient, and were less liable to juicy leakage from the stem scar, rain-induced cracking, and preharvest decay caused by Glomerella cingulata. The above effects of Ca sprays did not depend on the tested material. It was concluded that preharvest sprays of Ca as CaCl₂ and/or Ca(NO₃)₂ should be recommended in ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry orchards to reduce fruit losses resulting from rain-induced cracking, leakage of juice, and the incidence of cherry bitter rot.     

Synthesis and phytotoxicity of new ionic liquids incorporating chiral cations and/or chiral anions

The aim of this work was to synthesize chiral ionic liquids as chiral solvents for organic synthesis and to evaluate the phyto(eco)toxicity of the new products and starting N-alkylimidazoles and their potential environmental influence on soil and plants. Chiral ionic liquids containing anions such as Cl-, Br-, TsO-, PF6(-), NO3(-), CF3SO3(-), and (+)- and (-)-C6H5CH(OH)C(O)O- were synthesized using (-)-(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene-2-ethyl [(-)-(1R)-nopyl] halides (X = Cl, Br) and tosylate in 62-100% yields. The chloride 7 and the nitrate 13 ionic liquids possessed a toxicity dependent on the applied concentration. The lowest concentration causing a distinct reduction in plant germination/growth was 100 mg/kg. Spring barley better tolerated the ionic liquids (200 mg/kg) than common radish (100 mg/kg). The nitrate liquid did not exhibit an inhibiting effect on the germination ability of seeds. The starting N-methylimidazole used in lower concentrations (1 and 10 mg/kg of soil dry weight) was not phytotoxic, in contrast to higher doses (>1000 mg/kg).     

Sediment load variability in response to climate and land use changes in a Carpathian catchment (Raba River,Poland)

Journal of Soils and Sediments - This study analyzes the variability of sediment loads under variant climate change and land use scenarios in a Carpathian catchment with a dam reservoir. The areas...     

Apoptotic cell death in the porcine endometrium during the oestrous cycle

It has been reported that apoptosis plays an essential role in controlling the physiological cell kinetics in the human and rodent endometrium but this type of death has never been studied in the porcine endometrium. The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptotic cell death in the porcine endometrium during the middle (Days 9-11) and late (Day 13) luteal phase, during the luteolysis (Day 15) and early follicular phase (Days 17-19) of the oestrous cycle. Apoptotic cells were identified by in situ DNA 3'-end labelling method. It was revealed that the greatest number of apoptotic cells in the luminal and glandular epithelium was found on Days 17-19 and on Day 15 of the oestrous cycle, respectively. In the stroma, the greatest number of these cells was found on Days 9-11. Our data have shown that in the porcine endometrium, both epithelial and stromal cells undergo apoptosis and that the number of apoptotic cells varies depending on the phase of the oestrous cycle.     

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility test as the measure of defence against free radicals in rabbits of different age

Peroxidation of the unsaturated bonds of membrane lipids increases fragility and cellular lysis of red blood cells. Erythrocyte susceptibility to the free radicals (peroxyl radicals) generated in vitro by 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) was evaluated and expressed as 50% maximal haemolysis time (HT50) in 3 groups of rabbits of different age. Erythrocytes of 1.5-month-old rabbits were more sensitive to free radicals than those of 3.5- and 6-month-old ones. In the three groups, significant negative correlation (r = -0.8 to -0.98) between the lipid peroxidation rate (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS concentration) in blood plasma and the erythrocyte resistance to free radicals was found. This result suggests that the plasma antioxidant defence system is interrelated with that of the red blood cells and that the erythrocytes can be a good model for studies of oxidative stress. The simple haemolysis test reflecting the free radical defence can be useful for evaluating the antioxidant properties of various compounds.     

Cono- and seminiphagous insects of Abies alba Mill. in the Gorce National Park in Poland during 1996?–?1998

A study was conducted on the insects infesting seeds and cones of Abies alba Mill. in the Gorce National Park, in southern Poland during 1996–1998. A total of 856 cones were collected from 66 trees growing at 11 sites located in partially or strictly protected forest reserves. Of this sample, 217 cones with 54,958 seeds were dissected. This study yielded 5,816 specimens of insects, namely: seminiphagous Resseliella piceae Seitn., Megastigmus suspectus Borr. as well as conophagous Earomyia impossibile Morge, Barbara herrichiana Obr. and Dioryctria abietella (Den. et Schiff.). The most abundant species was R. piceae with 4,186 individuals. The index of cone infestation was calculated. It showed great variability between forest reserves and study-years. The numbers of insect individuals, numbers of viable and infertile seeds, and seeds damaged by M. suspectus and R. piceae, in both strict and partial reserves in the consecutive years were compared statistically. The test of significant differences between two frequencies at 0.05 level was used in statistical analysis. In both strict and partial reserves, statistically significant differences were found between studied variables.