Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells,SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10^?7, 10^?9 and 10^?11 M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM  + 10^?7, IVM  + 10^?9, IVM  + 10^?11) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC  + 10^?7, IVC  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?11) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10^?9 M) from Experiments 1–2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?9, IVM /IVC  + 10^?9). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM  + 10^?9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC  + 10^?7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC  + 10^?9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC  + 10^?9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC  + 10^?9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC  + 10^?9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD 2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB 1) compared to the IVM  + 10^?9. Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10^?9 M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.     

The Pinewoods and human use, 1600-1900

Human use of the pinewoods in 1600–1900 is briefly reviewed,and related to evidence for differing woodland structure inthese centuries. A certain number of pinewoods were lost between1600 and 1800 and it is suggested that this may be related toclimate change.     

Cross-protective immunity and the serological classification system for Bacteroides nodosus

The relationship between the serological classification system for serogroup B and for serogroup H of Bacteroides nodosus and cross-protection between subgroups within these serogroups was examined. Protection against ovine footrot following vaccination was achieved against other subgroup strains provided sufficient cross-reactive antibody was induced by shared pilus antigens. Within serogroup B, better cross-protection against one subgroup was obtained with a pili vaccine than a whole cell vaccine which correlated with higher pilus antibody titres induced by the former. For serogroup H, a lack of cross-protection and serological reactivity between subgroups was demonstrated, which indicates that the prototype strain of subgroup H2 should be designated a new serogroup.     

The effect of an extended artificial photoperiod and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone infusions in inducing fertile oestrus in anoestrous mares

The occurrence of fertile oestrus early in the breeding season is of paramount importance to the Thoroughbred industry to facilitate early conception. This paper compares 2 techniques for inducing fertile oestrus in anoestrous mares using either an extended photoperiod alone or together with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) infusions. Eleven mares were placed under conditions of 16 h light and 8 h darkness and 5 of these were implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering approximately 100 ng GnRH/kg/h for 28 days (treated mares). The treated mares ovulated 27.7 days earlier than and conceived 32 days earlier than the 6 mares not given GnRH. GnRH-induced ovulations were followed by a competent luteal phase. The combination of GnRH pumps implanted 2 weeks before commencement of service together with extended photoperiod from July 1 has promise in assisting the stud breeder to improve reproductive efficiency on commercial stud farms.     

A Chemoautotrophically Based Cave Ecosystem

Microbial mats discovered in a ground-water ecosystem in southern Romania contain chemoautotrophic bacteria that fix inorganic carbon, using hydrogen sulfide as an energy source. Analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes showed that this chemoautotrophic production is the food base for 48 species of cave-adapted terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, 33 of which are endemic to this ecosystem. This is the only cave ecosystem known to be supported by in situ autotrophic production, and it contains the only terrestrial community known to be chemoautotrophically based.     

Novel Colloidal Interactions in Anisotropic Fluids

Small water droplets dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal exhibit a novel class of colloidal interactions, arising from the orientational elastic energy of the anisotropic host fluid. These interactions include a short-range repulsion and a long-range dipolar attraction, and they lead to the formation of anisotropic chainlike structures by the colloidal particles. The repulsive interaction can lead to novel mechanisms for colloid stabilization.     

Effect of Cysticercus cellulosae on neutrophil function and death

Neutrophils, eosinophils and macrophages interact with invading parasites and naive hosts. The initial reaction of leukocytes is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The cytotoxic effects of extracts derived from intact Cysticercus cellulosae and from the scolex or membrane fractions on neutrophils were examined. DNA fragmentation of neutrophils was observed when cells were incubated with an extract from the intact metacestode; however, the addition of antioxidant enzymes to the incubation medium had a protective effect. The scolex and membrane extracts did not affect DNA fragmentation of neutrophils. Hydrogen peroxide production of neutrophils incubated with metacestode fractions from C. cellulosae increased by 190% (total extract), 120% (scolex) or 44% (membrane). An increase in antioxidant catalase activity (28%) concomitant with the increased production of ROS was observed in neutrophils incubated with metacestode fractions, which could be an attempt at self-protection. ROS production by neutrophils in the presence of the intact cysticerci extract did not alter phagocytosis. In contrast, the scolex and membrane fractions increased the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils by 44 and 28%, respectively. The results showed that the extract from intact C. cellulosae was toxic for neutrophils via ROS production, leading to DNA fragmentation and inhibition of phagocytic capacity, but neutrophils are able to protect themselves against oxidative stress by via catalase activity.     

Morpho‐physical Recording of Bovine Conceptus (Bos indicus) and Placenta from Days 20 to 70 of Pregnancy

The study is based on 141 pregnant Bos indicus cows, from days 20 to 70 post‐insemination. First, special attention was given to the macroscopically observable phenomena of attachment of the conceptus to the uterus, i.e. the implantation, from about days 20 to 30 post‐insemination up to day 70, and placentome development by growth, vascularization and increase in the number of cotyledons opposite to the endometrial caruncles. Secondly, as for the conceptuses, semiquantitative, statistical analyses were performed of the lengths of chorio‐allantois, amnion and yolk sac; and the different parts of the centre and two extremes of the yolk sacs were also analysed. Thirdly, the embryos/foetuses corresponding to their membranes were measured by their greatest length and by weight, and described by the appearance of external developmental phenomena during the investigated period like neurulation, somites, branchial arcs, brain vesicles, limb buds, C‐form, pigmented eye and facial grooves. In conclusion, all the data collected in this study from days 20 to 70 of bovine pregnancy were compared extensively with corresponding data of the literature. This resulted in an ‘embryo/foetal age‐scale’, which has extended the data in the literature by covering the first 8 to 70 days of pregnancy. This age‐scale of early bovine intrauterine development provides model for studies, even when using slaughtered cows without distinct knowledge of insemination or fertilization time, through macroscopic techniques. This distinctly facilitates research into the cow, which is now being widely used as ‘an experimental animal’ for testing new techniques of reproduction like in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer and cloning.     

Separation of skin reactive intestinal cancer antigen from the carcinoembryonic antigen of Gold

Soluble fractions of human intestinal cancer and fetal intestinal cell membranes produced delayed hypersensitivity reactions in patients with intestinal cancer. These soluble fractions and perchloric acid extracts of intestinal cancer cells were fractionated by polacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The Gold carcinoembryonic antigen was found in a region of the gels different from that of the skin reactive antigen.     

Analysis of post-partum fertility in mares on a Thoroughbred stud in southern Victoria

This project surveys the reproductive performance of 154 foaling Thoroughbred mares on a commercial stud in southern Victoria. Of these, 96 were served on foal heat (FHS) and 58 were served at a subsequent prostaglandin-induced oestrus (PGS). The PGS group of mares performed more favourably in all aspects except the foaling-to-conception interval where there was a 9.4 day advantage to the FHS group. The first service conception rate in the FHS group was 47.9% compared with 55.2% in PGS mares. Second heat period conception rates were 46% vs 57.7% for FHS and PGS mares, respectively. Overall conception rates at the end of the breeding season were 83.3% in the FHS group and 89.7% in the PGS group. Pregnancy losses before day 45 and after day 45 were 10% and 9.3% in FHS mares and 3.9% and 3.6% in the PGS mares. Served oestrous periods per conception numbered 1.7 and 1.4 in the FHS and PGS groups, respectively.