Sperm characteristics and androgens in Acipenser ruthenus after induction of spermiation by carp pituitary extract or GnRHa implants

Spermiation and changes in androgen (testosterone, T and 11-ketotestosterone, 11-KT) levels were studied in sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) treated with GnRH agonist implants (dAla⁶-Pro⁹-LHRHa) at 25 and 75?μg?kg^?1 b.w. and compared with those males treated with 4?mg?kg^?1 b.w. of carp pituitary extract (CPE) and 3 pellets of Ovopel kg^?1 b.w., which contains dAla⁶-Pro⁹NEt-mGnRH and metoclopramide. Sperm quality (sperm mass, spermatozoa concentration and sperm motility and velocity) was evaluated 24, 48 and 72?h after hormonal treatments. Males did not release sperm in the control group injected with physiological solution, while sperm could not be collected 7?days after treatments in all hormonally treated groups. Spermiation rates were 100?% in the CPE and Ovopel groups and 25–50?% in the GnRHa-treated groups. Sperm production was significantly lower in the GnRHa-treated groups than in the CPE and Ovopel groups and decreased 72?h after hormonal treatment. Sperm motility and velocity were higher in the Ovopel and GnRHa (75?μg) groups compared to the CPE and GnRHa (25?μg) groups and decreased 72?h after hormonal treatment. Androgens were only affected in spermiating males and changed in the Ovopel and GnRHa (75?μg) after hormonal treatment. Significant correlations were observed between sperm production, sperm motility and sperm velocity, but not androgens. The present study suggests involvement of dopamine in sturgeon spawning. Additionally, better sperm quality observed in the Ovopel group and particularly sperm motility in the GnRHa (75?μg) suggests enhancement of sperm quality in sturgeon treated with GnRHa. Therefore, further study is needed to induce fully spermiation using GnRHa implants in combination with a dopamine inhibitor.     

Effect of ovariectomy on reference memory version of Morris water maze in young adult rats

Background: The effect of ovariectomy and accompanying sudden loss of circulating gonad hormones on spatial learning performance in the young adult rats was examined. We hypothesized that spatial learning and memory in a considerable number of women who undergo a surgical menopause and estrogen deprivation before their natural menopause be impaired. Methods: In this study, we used 26 Wistar rats (approximately five months of age) and divided them into two groups: intact and ovariectomized (OVX). They were tested for spatial reference memory in Morris water maze 6 weeks after OVX. Results: The results showed that the performance of OVX group in the water maze was significantly lower than the control group. Although, mean path length decreased across blocks in both groups, OVX rats had significantly longer path length than controls across blocks 2-6 (P<0.05). OVX rats had lower percent of total time spent in target quarter than controls in probe trials (P<0.05). Body weight gain was significant only in OVX group during the experiment (P<0.05). Plasma estrogen significantly decreased after OVX (P<0.05). Conclusion: This finding provides further evidence for the role of estrogen, a gonadal steroid hormone, in the manipulation of functions related to learning and memory. It is suggested that estrogen loss following OVX impaired spatial reference memory in young adult rats. Our results suggest that it is necessary to protect women who undergo a surgical menopause before their natural menopause from cognition impairments.     

A 64 years old man with multiple myeloma and low HDL

In a 64 year old man with dyspnea and palpitation and fatigue and non angina chest pain, we found all the Para clinics prefect but only it showed low HDL and a normocytic, normochromic anemia. In searching about cause of anemia, in bone marrow biopsy showed Paraproteinemia. Therefore false low HDL because of paraproteinemia, leads to miss-diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.     

Effect of water management on greenhouse gas emissions and microbial properties of paddy soils in Japan and Indonesia

This research aims at elucidating the greenhouse gas emissions and its related soil microbial properties in continuously flooded or intermittently drained paddy soils in Japan and Indonesia. The study in Japan comprises alluvial soil and peat, cultivated to rice variety Nipponbare, while in Indonesia comprised alluvial soil cultivated to rice variety Siam Pandak. Intermittent drainage was performed to half number of the plot in 6 days interval, starting at tillering or heading stage of rice, while the other half number of plot was kept flooded as control. The experiments were carried out to follow the randomized block design with three replications. Gas samples were taken in weekly basis, except during the treatments (i.e., every 2 days interval) and analyzed for methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentrations. Soil samples were and analyzed for the population of methanogenic bacteria, denitrifiers, methane production and consumption potentials, and methanogenic substrate. Plant growth parameters were also observed. The results showed that intermittent drainage significantly reduced greenhouse gas emission from paddy soil of Indonesia and Japan without significant changes in soil microbial population. The reductions of greenhouse emission from Japanese peaty and alluvial paddy soil due to intermittent drained were about 32 and 37%, respectively. Meanwhile, the reductions in greenhouse gas emission from alluvial soil of Indonesia due to intermittent drainage were very similar to that of in Japan, i.e., average about 37%. This suggests that intermittent drainage can be an appropriate technology option to reduce the greenhouse gas emission from paddy soil in Japan and Indonesia.     

Comparative disposition of tripelennamine in horses and camels after intravenous administration

The pharmacokinetics of tripelennamine (T) was compared in horses (n = 6) and camels (n = 5) following intravenous (i.v.) administration of a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Furthermore, the metabolism and urinary detection time was studied in camels. The data obtained (median and range in brackets) in camels and horses, respectively, were as follows: the terminal elimination half-lives were 2.39 (1.91-6.54) and 2.08 (1.31-5.65) h, total body clearances were 0.97 (0.82-1.42) and 0.84 (0.64-1.17)L/h/kg. The volumes of distribution at steady state were 2.87 (1.59-6.67) and 1.69 (1.18-3.50) L/kg, the volumes of the central compartment of the two compartment pharmacokinetic model were 1.75 (0.68-2.27) and 1.06 (0.91-2.20) L/kg. There was no significant difference (Mann-Whitney) in any parameter between camels and horses. The extent of protein binding (mean +/- SEM) 73.6 + 8.5 and 83.4 +/- 3.6% for horses and camels, respectively, was not significantly statistically different (t-test). Three metabolites of T were identified in urine samples of camels. The first one resulted from N-depyridination of T, with a molecular ion of m/z 178, and was exclusively eliminated in conjugate form. This metabolite was not detected after 6 h of T administration. The second metabolite, resulted from pyridine ring hydroxylation, had a molecular ion of m/z 271, and was also exclusively eliminated in conjugate form. This metabolite could be detected in urine sample for up to 12 h after T administration. The third metabolite has a suspected molecular ion of m/z 285, was eliminated exclusively in conjugate form and could be detected for up to 24 h following T administration. T itself could be detected for up to 27 h after i.v. administration, with about 90% of eliminated T being in the conjugated form.     

Peptide profile of the sardine protein hydrolysate affects food utilization and intestinal microbiota of Nile tilapia

The present study evaluated effects of the degree of hydrolysis and peptide profile of sardine (Sardinella sp.) protein hydrolysates (SPH) from muscle tissue wastes on productive performance, body composition, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters of metabolism, antioxidant response, and intestinal microbiology tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Diets containing three SPH with different degrees of hydrolysis (low: 5.5%; intermediate: 27.9%, and high: 62.5%) were compared to a control diet with fish meal. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and five repetitions. One hundred eighty tilapia juveniles (6.16?±?2.0 g) were distributed in 20 polyethylene tanks of 70 l of useful volume and were evaluated during 56 days. No direct relationship was observed between the degree of hydrolysis of SPH and fish productive performance. Feed consumption was reduced in all diets with SPH (means 53.03 g) compared to the control group (65.91 g), which impaired fish growth and metabolic reserves. Feed utilization was affected by the SPH peptide profile. SPH with a more diverse peptide profile (mean 1.40) had a feed efficiency similar to the control diet (1.22). Changes in biochemical and metabolic parameters in tissues, oxidative response, and microbial populations were observed but may be associated with the low consumption of diets containing SPH. Results suggest that it is necessary to properly characterize hydrolysates and understand their composition before applying fish feed.

     

Effect of Soil Type, Applications of Chicken Manure and Effective Microorganisms on Corn Yield and Microbial Properties of Acidic Wetland Soils in Indonesia

A field experiment was carried out to elucidate the effect of chicken manure (CM) and effective microorganisms (EM) on the yield of corn and chemical and microbial properties of acidic wetland soils. A split-split plot experimental design with three replications was used in this research. The main plot consisted of two types of soil. The sub-plot was for the application of CM, while the sub-sub plot was for the application of EM. Sweet corn seeds were planted and cultivated until harvest. Above ground plant biomass and round of the stem of an ear of corn were observed. Soil samples were taken and analyzed for chemical and microbial properties. The results showed that the interaction between soil types and CM application affected the corn yield, while EM had no effect. Similarly, the chemical and microbial characteristics of soils used were affected by soil type and the application of CM, while the effect of EM was not clear.     

Simultaneous quantification of vitamin E and vitamin E metabolites in equine plasma and serum using LC-MS/MS

Vitamin E deficiencies can impact normal growth and development in humans and animals, and assessment of circulating levels of vitamin E and its metabolites may be an important endpoint for evaluation. Development of a sensitive method to detect and quantify low concentrations of vitamin E and metabolites in biological specimens allows for a proper diagnosis for patients and animals that are deficient. We developed a method to simultaneously extract, detect, and quantify the vitamin E compounds alpha-tocopherol (α-TP), gamma-tocopherol (γ-TP), alpha-tocotrienol (α-TT), and gamma-tocotrienol (γ-TT), and the corresponding metabolites formed after β-oxidation of α-TP and γ-TP, alpha-carboxymethylbutyl hydroxychroman (α-CMBHC) and alpha- or gamma-carboxyethyl hydroxychroman (α- or γ-CEHC), respectively, from equine plasma and serum. Quantification was achieved through liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. We applied a 96-well high-throughput format using a Phenomenex Phree plate to analyze plasma and serum. Compounds were separated by using a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column with a reverse-phase gradient. The limits of detection for the metabolites and vitamin E compounds were 8–330 pg/mL. To validate the method, intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision were evaluated along with limits of detection and quantification. The method was then applied to determine concentrations of these analytes in plasma and serum of horses. Alpha-TP levels were 3–6 µg/mL of matrix; the metabolites were found at much lower levels, 0.2–1.0 ng/mL of matrix.     

Effect of Nitrogen on the Alleviation of Boron Toxicity in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Pot experiments were conducted in the greenhouse on a calcareous soil to study effect of nitrogen (N) on the alleviation of boron (B) toxicity in rice. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of six levels of B (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^?1 as boric acid), and four levels of N (0, 75, 150, and 300 mg kg^?1 as urea) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Boron addition (higher than 2.5 mg kg^?1) significantly reduced the seeds yield. Nitrogen addition alleviated the growth suppression effects caused by B supplements. Yield was increased by application of 2.5 mg B kg^?1 at all N levels, but at higher levels, B significantly decreased the yield of rice. Boron concentration declined with increasing N levels. Boron application increased the concentrations of B, potassium, phosphorous (P), and zinc. Nitrogen application decreased the concentration of Zn and increased the concentration of N and P.