Uterine environment as a regulator of birth weight and body dimensions of newborn lambs

Pure-bred embryos were transferred within and reciprocally between large (Suffolk) and small (Cheviot) breeds of sheep to establish 4 treatment groups: SinS (Suffolk embryos in Suffolk dams), SinC (Suffolk embryos in Cheviot dams), CinS (Cheviot embryos in Suffolk dams), and CinC (Cheviot embryos in Cheviot dams). The recipient ewes carried single fetuses to term. The maternal plasma concentrations of ovine placental lactogen (oPL), progesterone, IGF-1, FFA, and glucose were measured on d 50, 90, 120, and 140 of pregnancy. Birth weight, body dimensions, and placental characteristics of lambs were recorded at birth. There was a recipient ewe breed × lamb breed × time interaction for the concentration of oPL (P = 0.03), but no such interaction was observed for progesterone (P = 0.42), IGF-1 (P = 0.57), glucose (P = 0.36), or FFA (P = 0.72). There were no differences in oPL (P = 0.28) and progesterone (P = 0.34) concentrations between SinC and SinS ewes. The concentrations of FFA on d 140 (P = 0.008), and those of glucose on d 50 (P = 0.02) and 120 (P = 0.01), were greater in SinC ewes than in SinS ewes. The ewes in CinS had less FFA concentration (P = 0.002) at all time points than CinC ewes. The concentrations of IGF-1 on d 90 were greater (P = 0.004) in CinS ewes than CinC ewes, but did not differ (P = 0.16) on d 50, 120, and 140. The concentrations of glucose on d 50 (P = 0.001), 90 (P = 0.03), and 140 (P = 0.03) were less in CinS ewes compared with CinC ewes. The birth weight of SinC lambs (5.04 ± 0.20 kg) was lighter (P = 0.001) than SinS lambs (5.94 ± 0.19 kg), and body dimensions of SinC lambs were smaller (P = 0.01) than SinS lambs. Neither birth weight nor the body dimensions of CinS lambs differed (P = 0.24) from CinC lambs. Cotyledon number was reduced (P = 0.04) in the CinS (57.5 ± 6.3) compared with the SinS group (74.2 ± 5.9), whereas mean cotyledon weight in CinS (2.42 ± 0.20 g) was greater (P = 0.02) than SinS (1.74 ± 0.21 g). It was concluded that the large genotype lambs were lighter and smaller when born to small genotype dams; however, the birth weight or body dimensions of small genotype lambs did not differ when born to large genotype dams. This study suggests that plasma oPL, progesterone, IGF-1, FFA, and glucose concentrations at different times throughout pregnancy reflect the regulatory effect of the uterine environment on the development of the fetus.     

Vernalization of immature embryos of winter wheat genotypes

Summary The effect of direct vernalization of immature embryos on flowering was studied in six winter wheat genotypes. Fourteen-, 17-, and 20-day-old embryos were excised and vernalized for 0–6 weeks on synthetic medium during a conditioning period. Percent germination of embryos was high (overall 96.1%), and free from genotypic effects. Genotypes differed for flowering in response to cold treatment of excised embryos. Embryo vernalization was as effective as or more than conventional vernalization (control, seedling vernalization for 6 weeks). Seventeen-day-old embryos were the most responsive to vernalization. With a 5-week vernalization of 17-day-old embryos, the percentage of plants anthesed was higher than those from 14-and 20-day-old embryos. For 17-day-old embryos vernalized for 5 weeks, the mean number of days from culture to anthesis was less than that of 6 week vernalization, less than that of 14- and 20-day-old embryos, and less than controls.Purdue Univ., Agronomy Dept., W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.     

Technical efficiency of carp production in India: a stochastic frontier production function analysis

This paper aims to examine the levels and determinants of technical efficiency in carp pond culture in India. The stochastic production frontier technique involving the model for technical inefficiency effects is applied separately to samples of semi‐intensive/intensive and extensive carp producers interviewed during 1994–95. The results showed significant technical inefficiencies in carp production in India, especially among extensive farms. The mean technical efficiencies for semi‐intensive/intensive and extensive sample farms were estimated to be 0.805 and 0.658 respectively. By operating at full technical efficiency levels, the semi‐intensive/intensive farms could, on average, increase their production from about 3.4 Mt ha^?1 to 4.1 Mt ha^?1. Likewise, the extensive farms could increase their production from 1.3 Mt ha^?1 to 1.9 Mt ha^?1. Much of these efficiency gains would come from improvement in the adoption of recommended fish, water and feed management and monitoring practices. Besides expanding production area, the results indicated several other possibilities for increasing carp production in India by increasing yields per hectare, such as: (1) increased intensification of carp culture (i.e. moving from extensive to semi‐intensive or intensive systems); (2) improvement in technical efficiency at the farm level; and (3) technological progress. However, the realization of these potentials will depend on continuous efforts by the government in ensuring an adequate supply of inputs, technology transfer and development and adequate provision of research, extension and credit services in aquaculture.     

Development of Melampsora ciliata rust on nursery‐grown poplars in north‐western Himalayas

Development of leaf rust (Melampsora ciliata) in different species, hybrids and cultivars of poplar (Populus spp.) was studied in nursery‐grown plants. Five different criteria were used to assess the disease development. The mean disease index on 10 August was 9.4% which increased to 70.0% on 10 October. The lowest disease index (5.5%) was recorded in P. yunnanensis whereas the maximum was recorded in P. × euramericana‘Rubra‐Poiret’ (59.5%). The apparent infection rate per unit per day was highest in P. nigra × P. trichocarpa (9.7 × 10^–2) whereas the minimum occurred in P. maximowiczii × P. berolinensis‘Oxford’ (3.3 × 10^–2). The area under the disease progress curve was a maximum in P. × euramericana‘Rubra‐Poiret’ (26.7) and a minimum in P. yunnanensis (1.6). Complete defoliation by the first half of October occurred in P. nigra × P. trichocarpa, which also had the maximum apparent infection rate and area under the disease progress curve. Inoculum production was highest in P. nigra × P. trichocarpa and lowest in P. maximowiczii × P. berolinensis‘Oxford’.     

Nutritive value of some wheat varieties assessed with Aspergillus flavus in comparison to rat feeding experiments

The relative nutritive value of 11 wheat varieties was assessed with the fungusAspergillus flavus. The samples were administered at 3 mg nitrogen level and the mycelial weight, obtained after 72 hours of shaking, was taken as an index of fungal biomass. The fungus graded the samples in the same order as has been done by rat. The biomass was found to be significantly and positively correlated with net protein utilization (NPU) and biological value (BV) determined by rat feeding trials.

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Zusammenfassung Der relative Nährwert von 11 Weizenarten wurde mit dem PilzAspergillus flavus abgeschätzt. Die Proben wurden mit einem Stickstoffgehalt von 3 mg angesetzt. Das Mycelgewicht nach 72 stündigem Schütteln diente als Index der Pilzbiomasse. Der Pilz sortierte die Arten in der gleichen Reihenfolge wie die Ratten. Es wurde gefunden, daß die Biomasse signifikant und positiv korreliert ist mit der netto Proteinverwertung (NPU) und dem biologischen Wert (BV), der durch Rattenfütterungsversuche erhalten wurde.

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Résumé Le valeur nutritif relatif de 11 sortes du blé a été examiné par les champignonsAspergillus flavus. Les chantillons ont été mis à l'expériment avec 3 mg du nitrogène. Le poids mycelial, obtenu après 72 heures d'agitation, a été pris comme l'index de la biomasse des champignons. Ces champignons ont gradué les échantillons au même ordre comme on l'a atteint avec les rats. Cette masse biologique a été positivement conforme à 1 utilisation de proteins propre (NPU) et à la valeur biologique (BV), déterminée par les essais d'engraissement avec les rats.

     

Effect of coconut palm wine (Toddy) on carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant rats and fetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an alcoholic beverage (Toddy) and the equivalent quantity of ethanol on carbohydrate metabolism in utero. Female rats were exposed to Toddy from coconut palm (24.5 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and throughout gestation. On the 19th day of gestation, hypoglycemia was seen in both the treated groups, but it was more in the Toddy-treated group. Synthesis of glycogen was elevated on exposure to ethanol/Toddy but its degradation was enhanced only in alcohol-exposed rats. Key enzymes of citric acid cycle and gluconeogenesis were inhibited on administration of both alcohol and Toddy. Activity of glycolytic enzymes were increased. Toddy seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol, indicating the additive effects of congeners.