Effect of the strain combination of the donor and recipient on the production efficiency of W‐bearing sperm in mixed‐sex germline chimeric chickens

Effect of the strain combination of the donor and recipient on production efficiency of W‐bearing sperm in mixed‐sex chimeric testes was analyzed. The combinations of the donors and recipients were White Leghorn (WL) and Rhode Island Red (RIR), and vice versa. Generated mixed‐sex chimeras that had the male phenotype at sexual maturity were classified into four groups: (1) a female WL donor and a male RIR recipient; (2) a male WL donor and a female RIR recipient; (3) a female RIR donor and a male WL recipient; (4) a male RIR donor and a female WL recipient. The mean number of W‐bearing sperm detected by in situ hybridization among 10 000 sperm observed were 147, 165, 30 and 45 in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The numbers in groups 1 and 2 were both significantly higher than those of groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). The combination of a WL donor and a RIR recipient produced W‐bearing sperm more efficiently than the reverse combination.     

Comparison of collagen content, distribution and architecture among the pectoralis, iliotibialis lateralis and puboischiofemoralis muscles with different myofiber composition in Silky cocks

The total amount of collagen, the relative distributions of types I and III collagens in perimysium and endomysium, and the collagen fiber architecture were compared among the pectoralis (PT), iliotibialis lateralis (ITL) and puboischiofemoralis (PIF) muscles in Silky cocks. All of the myofibers in the PT muscle were type IIB, the myofibers in the ITL muscle were divided into type IIA, 41.7% and IIB, 58.3%, and the PIF muscle was composed of type I, 24.6%; IIA, 64.6%; and transitional, 10.8%. The total amount of collagen differed significantly among the PT (2.92 mg/g), PIF (4.20 mg/g) and ITL (8.06 mg/g) material, where only the PIF was a whole muscle with epimysium. On the image analysis of the immunohistochemical preparations, the percentage area of perimysial collagen to the total area in each type differed significantly among the PIF, PT and ITL muscles, where it was 26.8, 50.0 and 74.4% for the type I collagen and 27.4, 32.9 and 61.7% for the type III collagen, respectively. In the scanning electron micrography of the perimysium in macerated preparations, thick bundles of collagen fibers were observed in the ITL muscle, thinner but broad platelets in the PT muscle, and a coarse tissue of thinner collagen fibers in the PIF muscle. However, the endomysial fabric of collagen fibrils was similar among the muscles. Small, transverse collagen fibers, which branched off from the thicker perimysia, occupied narrow interendomysial spaces and separated the primary myofiber fasciculi. The results indicate that the ITL muscle, localized in the distorted and overextended part of the leg and subject to strong external forces, had highly developed perimysial collagen fiber bundles, but the ITL endomysial collagen architecture was similar to that of the PT and PIF muscles.     

Expression of nerve growth factor and its receptors trkA and p75 and inhibin alpha-subunit in the ovarian interstitial cells of lactating golden hamsters

Characteristic daily increases in the plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) are present every afternoon during lactation in golden hamsters. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the diurnal rhythm of increases in LH on expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), its receptors trkA and p75 and inhibin alpha-subunit in the ovarian interstitial cells of lactating golden hamsters. Both lactating and non-lactating groups of postpartum golden hamsters were used in this study. The expression of NGF, its receptors trkA and p75 and inhibin alpha-subunit were determined by immunohistochemistry. Positive staining of NGF, trkA and p75 was found in the interstitial cells of the lactating group, and no immunoreactivity for NGF, trkA or p75 was observed in the ovarian interstitial cells of the non-lactating group. In addition, immunostaining of inhibin alpha-subunit was also observed in the interstitial cells of the lactating group but not in those of the non-lactating group. Immunostaining of the inhibin/activin beta(A)- and beta(B)-subunits was observed in the granulosa cells of antral follicles, but not in the interstitial cells of the lactating and non-lactating animals. These results suggest that the diurnal rhythm increases in LH can induce expression of NGF, trkA, p75 and inhibin alpha-subunit in the ovarian interstitial cells of lactating golden hamsters and that NGF, its receptors trkA and p75 and inhibin alpha-subunit may have the capacity for autocrine or paracrine modulation of interstitial cell differentiation in golden hamsters.     

Time course study of aluminum-induced callose formation in barley roots as observed by digital microscopy and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy

To clarify the mechanism(s) involved in the short-term inhibition of root elongation by AI, we monitored the morphological changes of barley roots by digital microscopy. Within 30 min after exposure to 37 µM AI, the surface of the root epidermis in the region of a distance of 1.5 mm from the root tip became rough and began to show signs of damage. After 38 min, callose was rapidly excreted from the junction between the root cap and the root epidermis, and formed a spherical lump approximately 60 µm in diameter. The fine structure of the callose deposits on the root surface was analyzed by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy. After 50 min, there was a significant increase in the callose contents in the distal 0.6 mm part. At the same time, root elongation stopped completely. Fluorescence staining indicated that callose was localized on the surface of the cell elongation area (the elongation zone of primary roots and root hairs), but not on the surface of the meristem. The root growth reduction associated with AI treatment may be due to the use of sugar substrates for callose formation instead of cellulose formation.     

Manganese foliar supplementation impacts rice yield in tropical lowlands

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate manganese (Mn) sources and levels effects in irrigated rice production in central Brasil (tropical lowlands of Tocantins state). The experiment was conducted in a 5x5?+?1 factorial scheme, five Mn sources and five levels (0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; and 2.5?kg ha^?1), applied in induction of tillering of rice plants, plus a control without treatment, and Mn content in leaves (mg kg^?1), number of panicles per area (m²), hundred grains weight (g), intact grains (%), and grain yield (kg ha^?1) were analyzed. Treatments with Mn-carbonate source got the best results and this source at the level of 1.5?kg ha^?1 provided the highest yield: 7,375?kg ha^?1. Higher values were obtained with the application of 1.0 to 1.5?kg ha^?1 of Mn, except for the intact grains where the best means were obtained at 2.5?kg ha^?1.     

Screening of 170 Peruvian plant species for allelopathic activity by using the Sandwich Method

Peru is one of the 20 botanically extremely diverse countries in the world, with >17 000 flowering plants, of which 30% are endemic. So far, no systematic research has been conducted on the screening of the allelopathic plants. In this study, the allelopathic activity of 170 species from 61 families of Peruvian plants that were collected from the three main regions of Peru – the Costa (Pacific coastline), the Sierra (Andean mountains), and the Selva (Amazonian rainforest) – was evaluated. The allelopathic activity was determined by the Sandwich Method, which can evaluate the activity of leaf leachates. The species that were found to be highly inhibitory in this screening, under the criterion of >90% inhibition of the radicle of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedlings, were Aristeguietia ballii and Diplostephium foliosissimum (Asteraceae) and Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). All of these species are native plants from Peru. This study gives a strong clue regarding the potential of isolating potent allelochemicals from these plants in the future.     

Successful treatment of two dogs with allergic dermatitis by anti-allergic peptides (MS-antigen)

The effects of non-specific immunotherapy with anti-allergic peptides extracted from the urine of human allergic patients (MS-antigen), in two dogs with allergic dermatitis (AD) have been described. Clinically, severe pruritus accompanied by secondary bacterial pyoderma did not respond to conventional therapy with systemic antibiotics. The first clinical change appeared as a significant reduction in pruritus within 3 months, around the time of the 15th injection in both cases. The clinical condition was stabilized after 5 months, allowing the gradual withdrawal of concurrent therapies and an increase of injection intervals. The correlation between the results of intradermal skin tests before and after treatment and the improvement of clinical signs was not obvious.