Genetic Diversity of the Vigna Germplasm from Thailand and Neighboring Regions Revealed by AFLP Analysis

Thailand is a center of diversity for section Angulares of the Asian Vigna (genus Vigna subgenus Ceratotropis) and 4 Vigna species are cultivated in Thailand. Using newly collected wild and cultivated germplasm of Vigna from Thailand and outgroup accessions AFLP analysis was conducted to clarify genetic diversity and relationships. The results suggest that cultivated V. umbellata and V. mungo evolved from wild relatives in a single domestication event. Vigna umbellata is poorly differentiated from its wild and weedy relatives compared to V. mungo. Results suggest northern Thailand and the neighboring Shan state, Myanmar, is the probable center of domestication for V. umbellata as wild accessions from this area and cultivated rice bean from a wide area in Asia are not greatly diverged. Vigna minima, V. tenuicaulis and V. exilis accessions in Thailand are well differentiated with considerable intra-specific variation. Vigna hirtella consists of two well differentiated subgroups, suggesting taxonomic revision may be necessary. Close genetic relationships between V. radiata and V. grandiflora, and between V. mungo and V. trinervia are confirmed. Naturally growing V. mungo populations in northern Thailand appear to be true wild species as they are well differentiated from Indian wild and Thai cultivated populations. The origin of naturally growing cowpea in Thailand needs to be further studied using a more comprehensive set of materials. This study clarifies inter and intra-specific genetic diversity and inter species relationships of Thai Vigna species.     

Heterosis for Seed Yield,Oil Content and Other Characters in Rapeseed （Brassica napus L.）

Nine inbred lines of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) used as male were crossed to five recessive genetic male sterile (RGMS) lines used as female to produce 45 single crosses. The crosses, their parents and a check hybrid were tested at two locations during 2007 to 2008 for testing the performance and heterosis of hybrids for seed yield and other characters. Results showed that variations for seed yield, oil content, days to flowering and days to maturity were significant. Mean squares for hybrids were significant for all characters. High heterosis (–4.5%-88.3%), heterobeltiosis (–15.6%-81.1%) and standard heterosis (–34.8%-33.1%) were found for the seed yield. The highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis were found in the cross QH303-4A×1190. The highest standard heterosis was found in the cross Qianyou8A×Q034. Both positive and negative heterosis of single crosses were detected for the oil content. Small heterosis was found for days to flowering and days to maturity. Among parents, Ⅲ188, Ⅲ224, and Q034 were proved to be the superior for seed yield when used as parents in most of the hybrid combinations. 2365, Ⅲ224, and QH303-4AB were good for high oil content breeding. Ⅲ176, 2313 and Qianyou3AB were good for the early hybrid breeding. Total 11 hybrids yielded higher than 2 500 kg·hm -2 and also gave significantly positive heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis. Among them, 10 crosses gave higher oil content than that of check. These crosses can be used in the future breeding program for the seed yield and the oil content. Two crosses including Qianyou3A ×Ⅲ224 and Qianyou3A×2313 can be used for the early breeding program.     

Inheritance of Erucic Acid, Glucosinolate, and Oleic Acid Contents in Rapeseed （Brassica napus L.）

This study was conducted to verify the inheritance of certain characters of rapeseed including erucic acid, glucosinolate and oleic acid contents by using generation mean analysis. The cross of lines Ⅲ...     

甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系性状关联性分析

[目的]评估甘蓝型油菜雄性不育系性状间的关系。[方法]采用半双列杂交方法,利用10个甘蓝型油菜隐性细胞核雄性不育系为材料配制了45个杂交组合。45的杂交组合和10个亲本材料于2007-2008年在贵阳种植并用于评估。[结果]植株高度、株有效角果数、初花期和成熟期与产量成显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.644,0.583,0.281和0.341;每角粒数与种子大小（千粒重）成显著负相关（-0.533）。株有效角数、每角粒数、千粒重和植株高度对产量的直接通径系数分别为0.5562、0.4074、0.4813和0.4017。[结论]株有效角数、每角粒数、千粒重和植株高度与种子产量成正相关,并对产量有较高的直接贡献。其它性状包括株分枝数、初花期、成熟期和含油量对产量的贡献较低。     

Infiltration of local immune cells in the sow reproductive tracts after intra-uterine and deep intra-uterine insemination with a reduced number of spermatozoa is less than conventional artificial insemination

The present study investigated the infiltration of leukocyte subpopulations in the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) and each part of the oviducts at about 24 hr after intra-uterine insemination (IUI) and deep intra-uterine insemination (DIUI) compared to conventional artificial insemination (CAI) in sows. Fifteen crossbred Landrace x Yorkshire multiparous sows were used (CAI, n=5; IUI, n=5; DIUI, n=5). The sperm dose contained 3,000 × 10(6) (100 ml), 1,000 × 10(6) (50 ml) and 150 × 10(6) (5 ml) motile spermatozoa for CAI, IUI and DIUI, respectively. The sows were inseminated with extended fresh semen at 6 to 8 hr prior to the expected time of ovulation. At 25.2 ± 1.6 hr after insemination, the oviducts and the UTJ were collected. The tissue samples of UTJ, caudal isthmus, cranial isthmus and ampulla were transversely cut to a thickness of 5 μm and stained with H&E. The total numbers of lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils and plasma cells were determined under light microscope. It was found that the numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils and macrophages after CAI, IUI and DIUI were not significantly different (P>0.1) in both epithelial and sub-epithelial connective tissue layer of the UTJ, caudal isthmus, cranial isthmus and ampulla. Intra-epithelial neutrophils in the UTJ were higher than cranial isthmus (P<0.05) and ampulla (P<0.05). In the UTJ, the intra-epithelial neutrophil in the CAI group was higher than DIUI group (P<0.01). Plasma cells in sub-epithelial layer of the endosalpinx in the CAI group were higher than DIUI group (P<0.05) and tended to be higher than the IUI group (P=0.08). In conclusion, compared to CAI, IUI and DIUI do not influence the infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages and eosinophils in the UTJ and the oviduct prior to fertilization. But a lower number of neutrophils in the intra-epithelial layer of the UTJ and plasma cells in the sub-epithelial layers of the oviduct was observed in the DIUI group compared to CAI.     

Heterosis for Seed Yield,0il Content and Other Characters in Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)

Nine inbred lines of rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)used as male were crossed to five recessive genetic male sterile(RGMS)lines used as female to produce 45 single crosses.The crosses,their parents and a check hybrid were tested at two locations during 2007 to 2008 for testing the performance and heterosis of hybrids for seed yield and other characters.Results showed that variationsfor seed yield,oil content,days to flowering and days to maturity were significant.Mean squares for hybrids were significant for allcharacters.High heterosis(-4.5%-88.3%),heterobeltiosis(-15.6%-81.1%)and standard heterosis(-34.8%-33.1%)were found forthe seed yield.The highest heterosis and heterobcltiosis were found in the cross QH303-4A×1190.The highest standard heterosiswas found in the Cross Qianyou8A×Q034.Both positive and negative heterosis of single crosses were demcted for the oil content.Small heterosis was found for days to flowering and days to maturity.Among parents,Ⅲ188,Ⅲ224,and Q034 were proved to be thesuperior for seed yield when used as parents in most of the hybrid combinations.2365,Ⅲ1224,and QH303-4AB were good for high oilcontent breeding.Ⅲ176,2313 and Qianyou3AB were good for the early hybrid breeding.Total 11 hybrids yielded higher than 2 500kg·hm-2 and also gave significantly positive heterosis,heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis.Among them,10 crosses gave higher oilcontent than that of check.These crosses Can be used in the future breeding program for the seed yield and the oil content.Two crossesincluding Qianyou3A×Ⅲ224 and Qianyou3A×2313 can be used for the early breeding program.     

The porcine sperm reservoir in relation to the function of hyaluronan

The oviduct plays a role in successful animal reproduction not only in spermatozoa and ova transport to the fertilization site but also by affording a microenvironment for fertilization and early embryonic development. The sperm reservoir (SR) is restricted in the uterotubal junction (UTJ) and caudal isthmus. Billions of porcine spermatozoa are distributed to the female reproductive tract during/after insemination, and small amounts of them are stored for about 36–40 hours in the SR, which maintains sperm viability in the pre-ovulation period through its surface epithelium and production of fluid. The SR regulates the release of spermatozoa so that only a small population moves towards the fertilization site (ampulla) to decrease polyspermy. This review attempts to provide information about the structure and function of the porcine SR, its intraluminal content (hyaluronan, HA), and the influences of HA on porcine spermatozoa in vivo. In pigs, the spermatozoa are stored in a mucous-like fluid within the UTJ and caudal isthmus in the pre-ovulation period. The oviduct fluid contains sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and non-sulfated GAGs, i.e., HA. It is interesting to note that HA is synthesized by hyaluronan synthase-3 (HAS-3), and its receptor, CD44, is found in the epithelium of the porcine SR site. Additionally, sperm capacitation does not occur in vivo in the SR during the pre- and peri-ovulation periods, but spermatozoa in the SR will attempt to capacitate if exposed to bicarbonate. However, capacitation in the SR will rise in the post-ovulation period, indicating the role of HA in modulating sperm capacitation after ovulation. All data support the understanding that the porcine SR ensures the viability of fertile spermatozoa and maintains the non-capacitated status during the pre-ovulation period. This basic knowledge about the SR is believed to be useful to advance sperm preparation procedures for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and improve the preservation process of porcine semen.     

Analysis on Combining Ability for Characters of Male Sterile Lines in Rapeseed （ Brassica napus L.）

The male sterile line is very important in the hybrid breeding program of rapeseed. This study was conducted to evaluate the combining ability of many characters of male sterile lines in Brassica napus...