In vitro studies of Norwegian Red bovine semen immobilized and cryopreserved in alginate solid gel network

Development of new semen cryopreservation techniques improving sperm survival and ensuring availability of viable spermatozoa for a prolonged time‐period after AI is promising tools to reduce sensitivity of timing of AI and enhance overall fertility. The SpermVital^® technology utilizes immobilization of bull spermatozoa in a solid network of alginate gel prior to freezing, which will provide a gradual release of spermatozoa after AI. The objective of this study was to compare post‐thaw sperm quality and in vitro sperm survival over time of Norwegian Red bull semen processed by the SpermVital^® (SV) technology, the first commercialized production line of SpermVital^® (C) and by conventional procedure applying Biladyl^® extender (B). Post‐thaw sperm motility was not significantly different between SV, C and B semen (p > .05). However, sperm viability and acrosome intactness were higher for SV than C and B semen (p < .05). Small differences in DNA quality were observed (p < .05). Sperm viability after storage in uterus ex vivo was higher for SV than for C semen (p < .05). Furthermore, sperm survival in vitro over time at physiological temperature was significantly higher for SV semen than C semen as well as B semen during the incubation period of 48 hr (p < .05). In conclusion, the SpermVital^® technology is improved and is more efficient in conserving post‐thaw sperm quality and results in higher sperm viability over time in vitro for SV than for C and B semen.     

Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils using Phosphogypsum and Rice Straw Compost

The application of soil amendments to immobilize heavy metals is a promising technology to meet the requirements for environmentally sound and cost‐effective remediation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the result of phosphogypsum (PG) used alone and in combination with compost (CP) at a mix ratio of 1:1 wet weight ratio (PG + CP) at 10 and 20 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil, on heavy metal immobilization in contaminated soil and on canola growth. The results revealed that the Pb, Cd and Zn uptake of canola plants was reduced by the application of PG alone and when it was mixed with CP as compared with untreated soil. At an application rate of 10 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil of (PG + CP) the dry weight of canola plants increased by 66·8% was increased in comparison with its weight in the untreated soil. The addition of PG alone resulted in more pronounced immobilization of heavy metal as compared with PG mixed with CP. Plant growth was improved with CP addition, but heavy metals immobilization was the greatest in PG alone treatments. Results suggest that PG may be useful for the immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A preliminary trial of the sedation induced by intranasal administration of midazolam alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine and reversal by atipamezole for a short‐term immobilization in pigeons

ObjectiveTo assess the sedative and immobilization effect of intranasal administration (INS) of midazolam (MID) without or with INS dexmedetomidine (DXM), and some physiological changes induced by the drugs. The ability of INS atipamezole to reverse the DXM component was also assessed.Study designProspective ‘blinded’ experimental study.AnimalsIn total, 15 pigeons.MethodsPigeons were sedated by INS MID alone at a dose of 5 mg kg⁻¹ (group MID, n = 6) or in combination with INS DXM at a dose 80 μg kg⁻¹ (group MID-DXM, n = 6). Measurements were made of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R) and cloacal temperature (CT). The degree of sedation was assessed at 15 minutes prior to, immediately after, and at intervals until 100 minutes after drug administrations. Following MID-DXM, INS atipamezole (250 μg kg⁻¹) was administered and the same indices measured 5 and 10 minutes later.ResultsMID had no effect on HR and f_R, and although CT decreased, it remained within physiological range. MID-DXM caused significant falls in HR, f_R and CT that persisted until the end of sedation. Atipamezole antagonized sedation and cardiorespiratory side effects of MID-DXM within 10 minutes of application. In addition, for MID compared to MID-DXM, the lowest sedation scores [10 (7–14) and 10.5 (5–14) versus 2 (1–4) and 2 (1–5)] were achieved in the 10th and 20th minute versus the 20th and 30th minute of the sedation, respectively.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMID alone, given INS had minimal side effects on vital functions but caused inadequate immobilization of pigeons for restraint in dorsal recumbency. MID-DXM caused an effective degree of immobilization from 20 to 30 minutes after administration, at which time birds tolerated postural changes without resistance. Atipamezole antagonized both side effects and sedation, but complete recovery had not occurred within 10 minutes after its application.     

Accelerated induction of etorphine immobilization in blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) through the addition of hyaluronidase

ObjectiveTo study the effects of the addition of hyaluronidase (HA) to an etorphine/azaperone drug combination on induction times of immobilization.Study designExperimental part-randomized ‘blinded’ cross-over study.AnimalsEight wild managed blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus).MethodsAnimals were immobilized, on separate occasions separated by two weeks, with one of four treatments. Treatments were; ‘Control drugs (CD), etorphine 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.1 mg kg⁻¹; treatment 1 CD + 5000IU HA; treatment 2 CD + 7500 IU HA; and treatment 3 etorphine 0.007 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.07 mg kg⁻¹ + 7500 IU HA. Times to first effect and to immobilization (from darting to possible to approach and blindfold) were measured. anova was used to compare treatments. Results are given in means ± SD (range).ResultsFor control, and treatments 1–3 respectively, times (in minutes) to first effect were 1.58 ± 0.42 (1.02–2.10), 1.64 ± 0.42 (0.95–2.17), 1.12 ± 0.24 (0.80–1.48) and 1.60 ± 0.21 (1.13–1.88) and to immobilization were 5.38 ± 1.53 (3.82–8.07), 3.80 ± 1.14 (2.02–5.50), 3.51 ± 1.08 (2.28–5.52) and 4.46 ± 0.67 (3.30–5.40). Compared to control, time to first effect for treatment 2 was significantly shorter. Time to immobilization was significantly quicker in all three treatments containing HA than that for control.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyaluronidase can reduce the time to immobilization when used in the immobilizing dart, and might be usefully incorporated into etorphine combinations for darting wildlife.     

生物炭固定化微生物修复污染土壤研究进展

生物炭固定化微生物技术具有高效、成本低和环境友好性的优点,在土壤修复中展现出巨大的应用潜力,成为目前的研究热点。本文在系统总结国内外生物炭固定化微生物技术修复污染土壤的最新研究进展基础上,重点分析了生物炭作为载体的适宜性,探讨了微生物筛选的重要性,对比分析了固定化方法（如吸附法、包埋法、交联法和共价结合法等）,探究了不同环境因素对生物炭固定化微生物技术修复污染土壤效果的影响,揭示了生物炭与微生物修复重金属和有机污染土壤过程中多种作用机制的协同效应,既包括生物炭作为固定化载体对微生物的保护及快速定殖作用,也包括生物炭对污染物的吸附作用,还包括微生物对污染物的降解作用。最后,对该技术在土壤污染修复中的应用提出了展望和建议。     

小球藻固定化培养的初步研究

用海藻酸钙作固定化载体，初步探讨了海藻酸钠浓度、CaCl2浓度、胶球密度、胶球直径等固定化条件对小球藻（Chlorella vulgaris)生长的影响。确定了优化的固定化条件为：4＃针头、2％的海藻酸钠溶液和0．15mol/L的CaCl2溶液制备固定化小球藻，在含50mL培养液的150mL三角烧瓶内放置250个小球藻胶球时，其生长速度较高，生长周期较长。与游离的小球藻相比，固定化小球藻生长速率慢，但生长周期长。实验结果为微藻固定化技术的应用和发展提供了必要的实验数据和理论基础。     

固定化微藻对养殖对虾细菌数量的影响

以固定化技术为基础,人工制成微藻藻珠,引入波吉卵囊藻(Oocystisborgeisnow)和微绿球藻(Nannochloropsis oculata)于凡纳对虾(Litopenaeusvannamei)养殖环境中,采用直接计数法研究了养殖水体、对虾肌肉、对虾肝胰脏中异养菌及弧菌的数量变化。结果表明,引入藻珠能抑制异养菌和弧菌的生长,并能改善水质。试验末期,试验1、2、3组水样中弧菌数量分别降低了95%、95%、81.7%,异养菌数量降低了72.3%、77.1%、95.6%。可见固定化微藻在一定程度上能改善虾池细菌生态系,有助于预防对虾疾病。     

刺激隐核虫抑动抗原生物学信息及抗原特性分析

对刺激隐核虫抑动抗原基因进行生物学信息分析,利用抗原表位多肽制备了鼠源抗抑动抗原抗体,并研究其抗原特性.试验结果表明：利用表位串联多肽所制备的鼠源抗抑动抗原抗体包含有针对刺激隐核虫抑动抗原的特异性抗体,为刺激隐核虫单克隆抗体和疫苗的制备奠定了基础.