Effects of acrosomal conditions of frozen-thawed spermatozoa on the results of artificial insemination in Japanese Black cattle

The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between male artificial insemination (AI) fertility and sperm acrosomal conditions assessed by new and conventional staining techniques and to identify possible reproductive dysfunctions causing low conception rates in AI using frozen-thawed spermatozoa with poor acrosomal conditions in Japanese Black bulls. We investigated individual differences among bulls in the results concerning (1) acrosomal conditions of frozen-thawed spermatozoa as assessed by not merely peanut agglutinin-lectin staining (a conventional staining technique) but also immunostaining of acrosomal tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (a new staining technique), (2) routine AI using frozen-thawed spermatozoa as assessed by pregnancy diagnosis, (3) in vivo fertilization of frozen-thawed spermatozoa and early development of fertilized eggs as assessed by superovulation/AI-embryo collection tests and (4) in vitro fertilization of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with oocytes. The percentages of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with normal acrosomal conditions assessed by the abovementioned staining techniques were significantly correlated with the conception rates of routine AI, rates of transferable embryos in superovulation/AI-embryo collection tests and in vitro fertilization rates. These results are consistent with new suggestions that the distribution of acrosomal tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins as well as the acrosomal morphology of frozen-thawed spermatozoa are AI fertility-associated markers that are valid for the prediction of AI results and that low conception rates in AI using frozen-thawed spermatozoa with poor acrosomal conditions result from reproductive dysfunctions in the processes between sperm insemination into females and early embryo development, probably failed fertilization of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with oocytes.     

Continuum contraction of tension wood fiber induced by repetitive hygrothermal treatment

Wood Science and Technology - Tension wood, when kiln-dried, is likely to deform hugely, which is probably caused by a gelatinous layer of the gelatinous fiber. To elucidate the mechanism behind...     

Importance of shingle beaches as habitat for Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

Fisheries Science - We carried out surveys to clarify how the density (no. of individuals/m2) and condition factor (CF) of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum differ between estuarine tidal flats...     

First report of trunk rot caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomitiporia torreyae</Emphasis> in Kyoto prefecture on cultivars of Japanese cedar with no relatedness to ‘Sanbu-sugi’

Trunk rot, caused by Fomitiporia torreyae, is one of the most economically important sap rot diseases on Cryptomeria japonica, especially on a cutting cultivar ‘Sanbu-sugi’. This disease had been reported only from Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures in Japan; however, a similar trunk rot on Japanese cedars was found recently in Kyoto prefecture. We identified the causal agent of the trunk rot on Japanese cedars in Kyoto prefecture, clarified the genotype of ‘Sanbu-sugi’ (sensu stricto) using microsatellite markers, and then investigated the relatedness of these infected cedars with ‘Sanbu-sugi’. The pathogen was identified as F. torreyae by its DNA sequences and morphological characteristics of the fruiting body. The 25 ramets of ‘Sanbu-sugi’ had only one genotype based on eight microsatellite loci. Infected Japanese cedars in Kyoto were comprised of different genotypes and showed no close relatedness to ‘Sanbu-sugi’. This is the first report of trunk rot caused by F. torreyae on cultivars of Japanese cedar with no relatedness to ‘Sanbu-sugi’ outside of Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures and showed the potential for expansion of this disease to Japanese cedar plantations in other areas.     

Temperature characteristics in seed germination and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera japonica</Emphasis> Ascherson &; Graebner from Ago Bay,Mie Prefecture,central Japan

The optimal water temperature in seed germination and the upper critical water temperature in seedling growth were determined for Zostera japonica collected from Ago Bay, Japan. The relationship between the seed germination rates and seed storage period (0, 30, and 60 days) at 0°C was also examined. The optimal water temperature in seed germination was in the range 15–20°C regardless of the storage period, in which germination rates were up to 14%. Seedlings, grown from seeds up to 10 cm in total length, were cultured for 1 week at various water temperatures to measure their relative growth rates. The optimal water temperature in early growth was in the range 20–25°C; relative growth rates ranged from 3.8 to 4.2%. Seedlings could survive up to a water temperature of 29°C, but most seedlings withered at 30 or 35°C. The optimal water temperatures for seed germination and seedling growth were related to the seasonal changes of water temperature in the sampling site. Although seedlings were hardly observed in Ago Bay in summer, Z. japonica might extend its distribution as far as where the summer water temperature is lower than 29°C.     

Recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor accelerates recovery from cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia in dogs

In dogs injected intravenously with 400mg/m(2) cyclophosphamide (CPA), the peripheral neutrophil count decreased to less than 1000 cells/μL in 5-9 days. Treatment with purified recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rcG-CSF), produced by brevibacillus expression system, at the nadir of the granulocyte count accelerated recovery from the CPA-induced neutropenia by 1-3 days. Therapeutic administration of rcG-CSF at doses of 2.5-10 μg/kg did not show any significant difference on the severity of neutropenia (the period that granulocyte counts were less than 2000 cells/μL). Administration of 2.5 μg/kg rcG-CSF 3 times per day 2-4 days or 3-5 days after CPA treatment not only accelerated recovery but also decreased the severity of neutropenia. No clinical signs of the rcG-CSF were observed. These results showed that the rcG-CSF is effective for treatment of neutropenia in dogs.     

Productivity of Jatropha curcas under smallholder farm conditions in Kenya

With the global bioenergy boom, the planting of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) was widely promoted by the private sector and non-government organizations as one of the candidate tree species for bioenergy in Kenya. This was motivated by the belief that it grows easily with minimal management requirements. The present study attempts to determine whether management practices by smallholder farmers, which are heterogeneous, are optimal for jatropha yields in Kenya. A survey conducted in different agro-ecological zones showed that yields are very low under Kenyan farm conditions. Regardless of the age and management condition, 41 % of the farmers obtained no seed yield, while 79 % obtained up to 0.1 kg/tree. This is dismal in comparison with the figures (up to 2.0 kg/tree) reported from elsewhere for 1–5 year old trees grown under similar conditions. Examination of farmer management practices indicated that irrigation, manuring and weeding, in order to maximize yields, could be offset by misapplication of other components especially, selection of planting materials, timing of planting and choice of intercrops during the establishment phases. This indicates that the anticipated high yields have not been achieved partly because growers are still using unimproved germplasm, management practices are sub-optimal, and the biophysical boundaries of high jatropha yield are poorly defined. Thus at the current stage, jatropha should not be grown by smallholder farmers in Kenya because of low or dismal productivity. If jatropha is to play a role in the pro-poor bioenergy development, future projects need to identify management recommendations that optimize yields. This also needs to take into consideration the preferences and constraints of farm households on labor and land allocation to other farm and livelihood activities.     

Balenine,imidazole dipeptide,induces activation of superoxide dismutase in myotubes

Balenine is one of the endogenous imidazole dipeptides. It is composed of beta-alanine and 3-methyl-l-histidine, which exist mainly in the muscles and the brain. The exact biological properties of balenine are still not well known, although the antioxidant activity of carnosine, another imidazole dipeptide, is known. In this study we investigated whether balenine exhibits antioxidant activity. It was found to decrease the superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generation. We found that SOD activity increased in balenine-treated C2C12 myotubes, although balenine did not increase expression of SOD mRNA. On the other hand, there were no changes in other antioxidant enzymes, CAT and GPX activity, and mRNA levels. In an in vitro assay, the direct activation of SOD treated by balenine was significantly higher than with carnosine treatment. Moreover, balenine constituent amino acids did not have the ability to activate SOD. Our results suggest that balenine contributes to antioxidant effects through activation of SOD.