Superovulatory Ovarian Response in Mangalica Gilts is Not Influenced by Feeding Level

The aim of the study was to compare how different feeding levels affect the ovarian potential of follicular development and oocyte maturation in response to superovulatory treatment in native Mangalica (M, n = 17) compared with Landrace (L, n = 20) pigs. Gilts of both breeds were fed high-energy (HI-2.5 kg) or low-energy (LO - 1.25 kg) feed during oestrus synchronization (15 days of Regumate feeding) till the time of oocyte aspiration (Day 6 after Regumate). Follicular growth was stimulated by the administration of 1000 IU equiue choriou gonadotropiu (eCG) 24 h after Regumate treatment, and ovulation was induced by injection of 750 IU human choriou gonadotropiu (hCG) 80 h after eCG administration. Ultrasound (US) investigation was done three times (4-10 h before, and 40-44 and 72-74 h after eCG administration) for the observation of follicular development. Oocyte and follicular fluid (FF) were collected endoscopically 34 h after hCG injection. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were evaluated, their morphology determined, and thereafter fixed and stained for chromatin evaluation. Oocytes were classified as meiosis-resumed (germinal vesicle breakdown, diakinesis, metaphase I to anaphase I) or matured (telophase I and metaphase II). FF concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were measured by validated radioimmunoassays. In L gilts, differences were observed between HI and LO in the number of preovulatory follicles (32.3 +/- 10.5 vs 17.1 +/- 12.3, p < 0.05), but not in M (25.3 +/- 2.9 vs 28.8 +/- 7.3, p > 0.05). Initial follicular growth was not affected by feeding levels; however, preovulatory follicle size was larger in M (7.1 +/- 0.9 and 6.9 +/- 1.1 mm vs 5.7 +/- 0.7 and 5.5 +/- 0.8 mm; p < 0.05). No differences were obtained with relation to mature chromatin configuration in both breeds (L gilts: HI - 70% and LO-67% vs M gilts: HI - 67% and LO - 63%). A twofold higher oestradiol concentration was detected in FF of HI-M and LO-M (29.6 +/- 6.8 and 30.9 +/- 10.3 ng/ml respectively) compared with that of L (16.9 +/- 9.7 and 17.9 +/- 3.6 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.05). The mean FF progesterone level was nearly fivefold higher in M (2020.4 +/- 1056 and 1512.2 +/- 1121.8 ng/ml) compared with L (386.2 +/- 113.7 and 298.8 +/- 125.9 ng/ml, p < 0.05). The results indicate an influence of the feeding of altered energy on the number of recruitable preovulatory follicles in modern Landrace but not in native Mangalica breed. Moreover, the follicular steroid hormone milieu differs between Landrace and Mangalica gilts but not depending on feeding levels. Oocyte maturation was not affected by diet.     

Effects of diets with cereal grains contaminated by graded levels of two Fusarium toxins on selected immunological and histological measurements in the spleen of gilts

Feeding experiments with diets containing Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat were conducted to clarify the pathogenesis of immunological effects of Fusarium toxins to porcine spleen cells. Contaminated diets were fed to 36 Landrace prepubertal gilts for 35 d. Concentrations (as-fed basis) of the indicator toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON), respectively, were 210 and 4 (control--group I), 3,070 and 88 (group II), 6,100 and 235 (group III), and 9,570 and 358 microg/kg (group IV). No signs of hyperestrogenism or uterotrophic effects were observed because of dietary treatments. The feeding of mycotoxin-contaminated diets did not cause gross pathological findings in the spleens of animals. In vivo, no inhibitory effects were detected on concanavalin A-stimulation of blood lymphocytes; however, the proliferation rate of splenocytes was inhibited (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the diet with the highest DON/ZON concentration. With in vitro studies, lower proliferation rates of blood lymphocytes and splenocytes preexposed to DON were detected. Serum IgA concentrations of pigs in group II were increased (P < 0.05) compared with the baseline value before feeding the DON/ZON diet. The histopathological data indicated elevated (P < 0.05) iron staining in the red pulp of spleens in gilts from groups I to IV after 35 d of feeding. The presence of hemosiderin particles in the spleen sections was confirmed by transmission electron microscopic investigation. Together, the results provide evidence of spleen dysfunction (hemosiderosis) in the absence of clinical signs, especially in pigs fed higher concentrations (groups III and IV) of Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat.     

Variation in reproductive characteristics of Eupatorium adenophorum populations in different habitats

The invasive plant, Eupatorium adenophorum, produces large numbers of small seeds with a high germination rate. However, this investigation showed that E. adenophorum populations in an evergreen broad‐leaved forest had a high proportion of seedlings when compared with clonal plants. Whereas an opposite pattern was found in a deciduous broad‐leaved forest and in a roadside site. A seed addition experiment where E. adenophorum seeds were added to each of the three habitats did not increase the number of E. adenophorum seedlings at any of the three field sites. Field and greenhouse experiments demonstrated that a soil litter layer significantly reduced the number of E. adenophorum seedlings during the early seedling emergence period. However, at later periods, the litter cover did not affect survival and growth of individuals. The emergence of E. adenophorum seedlings was significantly increased in field experiments when there was no litter, and parental plants were removed. Finally, the growth of seedlings was significantly reduced when planted with their parental plants in a root box experiment. In the low‐resource environment of the evergreen broad‐leaved forest, E. adenophorum reproduced primarily by its abundant seed production. In the more open deciduous broad‐leaved forest and roadside site, the populations reproduce primarily by vegetative clones that can grow quickly, are better competitors and could take advantage of the high‐resource environment.     

Morphometry of the heart of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Alisterus parrots (Alisterus s scapularis) and common buzzards (Buteo buteo)

In order to establish data and reference values for the thickness of the myocardium and the length of the left and the right ventricle of the avian heart, the hearts of 14 budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), five Alisterus parrots (Alisterus s scapularis) (also known as Australian king parrot) and 10 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) of both sexes were examined according to a standard protocol. In order to compare the results of birds of different sizes all data were related to the size of the bird's body (length of the sternum) and the results of the measurements of the myocardial thickness in relation to the length of the heart. Results of different zones were compared by means of statistical methods within one species. Besides that a comparison between the different species was performed. Only minor significant differences were noted.     

Truncation of the mRNA cap-binding protein eIF4E is specific for the non-invasive implantation in pigs

The mechanism of implantation is species specific (pig: epitheliochorial, bovine: synepitheliochorial, mouse: hemochorial). Recently, we have shown that proteolytical cleavage of the prototypical 25 kDa mRNA cap-binding protein eIF4E (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E) produces a stable variant with a molecular mass of approximately 23 kDa in porcine endometrium at the time of implantation. Here, we investigate if an eIF4E truncation also takes place in the endometrium of species with other implantation forms. Thus, eIF4E and its repressor protein 4E-BP1 were investigated in porcine, murine and bovine endometrium during the time of implantation. Our results show that eIF4E truncation is specific for the porcine implantation. In bovine and mouse uterine tissue, no cleavage of eIF4E was observed. Whereas no difference of bovine 4E-BP1 was found, in murine samples, increased phosphorylation during implantation was observed. However, porcine samples exhibit an opposite behaviour, the abundance and mainly the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 decrease. We propose that the translation initiation in the endometrium is differently regulated by the two eIF4E forms with regard to different 4E-BP1 abundance and phosphorylation as well as different eIF4E/4E-BP1 binding dynamic depending on the type of implantation.     

Images of asteroid 21 Lutetia: a remnant planetesimal from the early Solar System

Images obtained by the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) cameras onboard the Rosetta spacecraft reveal that asteroid 21 Lutetia has a complex geology and one of the highest asteroid densities measured so far, 3.4 ± 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter. The north pole region is covered by a thick layer of regolith, which is seen to flow in major landslides associated with albedo variation. Its geologically complex surface, ancient surface age, and high density suggest that Lutetia is most likely a primordial planetesimal. This contrasts with smaller asteroids visited by previous spacecraft, which are probably shattered bodies, fragments of larger parents, or reaccumulated rubble piles.     

Luteinizing hormone release after administration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist Fertilan (goserelin) for synchronization of ovulation in pigs

The generic GnRH agonist, Fertilan (goserelin), was tested for the ability to induce an LH surge and ovulation in estrus-synchronized gilts. Three experiments were performed to 1) examine the effect of various doses of Fertilan on secretion of LH in barrows, to select doses to investigate in gilts (Exp. 1); 2) determine doses of Fertilan that would induce a preovulatory-like rise of LH in gilts (Exp. 2); and 3) determine the time of ovulation after Fertilan treatment (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, 10 barrows were injected on d 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 with 10, 20, or 40 microg of Fertilan; 50 microg of Gonavet (depherelin; GnRH control) or saline (negative control); and sequential blood samples were collected for 480 min. There was a dose-dependent stimulation (P < 0.05) of LH release. Maximal plasma concentrations of LH (LH(MAX)) were 2.1 +/- 0.2, 4.1 +/- 0.3, 2.6 +/- 0.4, and 3.4 +/- 0.3 ng/mL after 10, 20, and 40 microg of Fertilan and 50 microg of Gonavet, respectively, and duration of release was 78 +/- 9, 177 +/- 12, 138 +/- 7, and 180 +/- 11 min, respectively. Fertilan doses of 10 and 20 microg were deemed to be the most suitable for testing in gilts. In Exp. 2, 12 gilts received (after estrus synchronization with Regumate and eCG) injections of 10 or 20 microg of Fertilan or 50 microg of Gonavet 80 h after eCG to stimulate a preovulatory-like LH surge and ovulation. An LH surge was induced in 3 of the 4 gilts in both of the Fertilan groups and in all of the Gonavet-treated gilts. Characteristics of induced release of LH did not differ among groups: LH(MAX), 5.0 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.8 vs. 6.6 +/- 1.1 ng/mL; duration, 11.7 +/- 2.0 vs. 12.3 +/- 2.2 vs. 14.3 +/- 0.5 h; interval from GnRH injection to LH(MAX), 4.0 +/- 2.0 vs. 6.7 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.6 h. In Exp. 3, estrus-synchronized gilts were injected with 20 microg of Fertilan (n = 8) or 50 microg of Gonavet (n = 4), and the time of ovulation was determined by repeated endoscopic examination. Time of ovulation ranged from 34 to 42 h postGnRH; however, ovulation occurred earlier in the Gonavet compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Results of these experiments indicate that 1) barrows are an appropriate model for determining GnRH doses that can be effective in inducing a preovulatory-like LH surge in females; 2) the generic GnRH agonist Fertilan, at doses of 10 to 20 microg, can stimulate an LH surge in gilts, with subsequent ovulation; and 3) Fertilan at doses of 10 and 20 microg should be examined further for use in fixed-time insemination protocols.     

Changes in the spleen and liver of pregnant sows and full-term piglets after feeding diets naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone

Wheat contaminated naturally with the Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) was fed to pregnant Landrace sows for 35days. On day 110, caesarean section was carried out, the offspring were killed immediately after birth, and their livers and spleens examined. At necropsy there were no macroscopic lesions observed in any organ of either sows or piglets. Histopathological evaluation of tissues from sows of the treated group revealed changes in liver and spleen tissues, whereas no significant changes were observed in these tissues in their piglets. Liver damage, as measured by prominent elevated transaminase activities, was not detected in the serum of the sows. In pregnant sows there were individual variations in sensitivity to the Fusarium toxins. In conclusion, it can be assumed that there are no adverse effects on the liver and spleen of full-term piglets when their mothers consumed diets containing up to 9570 and 358mug DON/ZON per kg diet.     

Effects of Follicular Fluid on the Transport of Porcine Oocytes into the Oviduct at Ovulation

Contents Three experiments were conducted to determine whether follicular fluid (FF) enters the oviduct and plays any role in the transport of oocytes into the oviduct. Experiment 1: Oestrus and ovulation were synchronized in cycling gilts (n = 21) over a 15 day period of feeding Regumate^® and injections of 1000 IU pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) 24 h after the last Regumate^® feed and 500 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) 80 h after PMSG. Ipsi-lateral aspiration of FF and salpingectomy (group 1, n = 7), aspiration of FF without salpingectomy (group 2, n = 7) or ligation of the oviduct between the ampulla and infundibulum (group 3, n = 7) was performed endoscopically prior to ovulation (34–36 h after hCG). Ipsi-lateral (group 2 and 3) and contra-lateral salpingectomy was carried out in all gilts post ovulation, 42–44 h after hCG. The oviducts were flushed with 1 ml saline and the samples as well as the aspirated FF were analysed for progesterone and estradiol by RIA methods. In group 1 both progesterone and estradiol concentrations did not differ before and after ovulation. Withdrawal of FF from the ipsi-lateral ovary by aspiration (group 2) or ligation of the oviduct (group 3) did not influence the steroid content within the oviducts. Similarly low progesterone concentrations were measured in ipsi- and contra-lateral oviducts after ovulation (group 2: 0.29 ± 0.17 versus 0.24 ± 0.35 ng/ml and group 3: 0.22 ± 0.19 versus 0.21 ± 0.22 ng/ml). The high content of progesterone of FF (269.7 ± 67.9 and 389.6 ± 226.5 ng/ml in group 1 and 2, respectively) was not reflected in the oviductal fluid. Experiment 2: In five gilts 0.06 ml ³H-progesterone (30 000 dpm) were applied via a fine 27 G injection needle into the largest three follicles of the ipsi-lateral ovary prior to ovulation (34–36 h after hCG). The oviducts were flushed following ovario-salpingectomy 42–44 h after hCG. All follicles had ovulated. The oviductal flushings and oviductal and ovarian tissue were analysed for labelled progesterone. No differences were measured in the content of ³H-progesterone of oviductal flushings and of both oviductal and ovarian tissues between the ipsi-lateral injection and contra-lateral control sides. The main part of the counts detected was within the range of background dpm values. Only 2.4% of the initial counts were recovered from fluid and tissue samples. Experiment 3: In a subsequent study FF was cautiously aspirated by endoscopy from follicles of the ipsi-lateral ovary 34–36 h after hCG (n = 12 gilts). Postovulatory (58 h after hCG), both oviducts were flushed and the oocytes were recovered. To test the influence of follicle puncture alone on the process of ovulation (n = 8 gilts), the aspiration needle alone was pricked into the follicles of the ipsi-lateral ovary, without any fluid aspiration. Despite the cautious aspiration of FF from 89 follicles, 26 oocytes were recovered together with the FF. Eighty-six postovulatory follicles were observed on the ipsi-lateral ovary. Out of 57 oocytes able to reach the oviduct, 29 oocytes were flushed from the oviduct (50.4 ± 28.1%). From the contra-lateral control oviduct 71 oocytes out of 91 ovulations (69.0 ± 33.9%) were recaptured. Puncture of follicles without aspiration did not influence ovulation compared with the control (recovery rate 68.2 and 79.6%, respectively). Results indicate (1) on the basis of the low progesterone level within the oviductal fluid that only a small amount of FF seems to reach the oviduct at ovulation, and (2) FF does not appear to be a compulsory carrier of the porcine oocyte at ovulation.