Production of offspring from one-day-old oocytes stored at room temperature

To determine the feasibility of preserving oocytes without freezing, we stored mouse oocytes in several media at different temperatures for one day. Confocal microscopy of the metaphase-II spindle in these stored oocytes revealed gross abnormalities in both the spindle and the arrangement of chromosomes. The abnormal spindles could not be rescued by transplanting the aged spindle-chromosome complex into a fresh enucleated oocyte. A diploid parthenogenetic development showed that some of the oocytes stored at room temperature could still develop into blastocysts (10-57%). However, oocytes stored in a refrigerator (5%) or incubator (0%) lost the potential almost entirely. Fertilization of room-temperature-preserved oocytes with fresh spermatozoa by ICSI or IVF resulted in, respectively, 4 and 10%, full-term births. These results suggest that when oocytes are stored at room temperature for one day, most have irreversible damage not only to their cytoplasm but also to the spindle. However, since at least a few percent of stored oocytes retained the potential for full-term development, it may be possible to overcome these problems and develop a simple method for preserving mammalian oocytes without freezing.     

Developmental states of the collagen content, distribution and architecture in the pectoralis, iliotibialis lateralis and puboischiofemoralis muscles of male Red Cornish x New Hampshire and normal broilers

1. Developmental states of the collagen content, distribution and architecture in the pectoralis (PT), iliotibialis lateralis (ITL) and puboischiofemoralis (PIF) muscles of male Red Cornish x New Hampshire (RN, 80 d, body weight 2.9 kg) and normal (3.1 kg) broilers were evaluated. 2. In PT muscle the total amount of collagen was significantly greater in RN broilers (3.33 mg/g) than in normal ones (1.71 mg/g). This higher collagen content in RN broilers was based mainly on the closer mesh sizes of endomysial honeycomb. The collagen structures in the perimysia also differed between broiler types, when more collagen fibres were observed in RN broilers. 3. ITL muscle contained total collagen of 4.10 to 5.00 mg/g. Types I and III collagens were distributed on the perimysia at higher percentages in RN broilers (31.6%, 37.2%) than normal (15.6%, 30.8%), respectively. The thick bands of tough collagen fibres characteristic of ITL muscle perimysium in cockerels had not yet developed in these broilers. 4. Total collagen was 4.63 to 6.29 mg/g in PIF material with fascia. In PIF muscle the perimysial collagen fibres had not yet attained their full growth but consisted of densely packed fibrils. PIF muscle was characterised by the earlier maturing collagen structure. 5. These results show that a perimysial collagen structure in broilers is still in an undeveloped state. It is supposed that tenderness of broiler meat is attributed mainly to characteristics of the collagen distribution, in which the majority of types I and III collagens is distributed on the closer mesh of endomysial honeycomb.     

Relationship of disease progression and plasma histamine concentrations in 11 dogs with mast cell tumors

Plasma histamine concentrations (PHCs) were measured serially over 9 months or until death in 11 dogs with mast cell tumors (MCTs). Eight dogs had grossly visible disease and the other 3 dogs had microscopic disease. Initial PHCs in the dogs with gross disease were significantly higher than PHCs in healthy dogs (median, 0.73 ng/mL and 0.19 ng/mL respectively; P < .009), whereas initial PHCs in dogs with microscopic disease showed no difference from controls. Seven dogs subsequently had progressive increases in PHC, and developed hyperhistaminemia (median, 14.0 ng/mL; range, 5.11-30.1 ng/nL). These 7 dogs died from MCTs, and 1 had general weakness with rapid lysis of a large tumor burden after radiation therapy. PHCs of the other 4 dogs were less than 1 ng/mL during the study. These 4 dogs were still alive with adequate control of the tumor at the conclusion of the study. Four of the 11 dogs initially had gastrointestinal (G1) signs, which abated soon after administration of histamine-2 (H-2) blockers. No significant difference was found between PHCs in dogs with GI signs and those without GI signs (median, 0.86 ng/mL and 0.35 ng/mL. respectively). Thereafter, 7 dogs had serious GI complications for which H-2 blocker therapy was ineffective. PHCs in these 7 dogs were extremely high (median, 12.2 ng/mL; range, 3.42-30.1 ng/nL). Results of this study demonsrated that PHC was one factor related to disease progression, and indicated that marked hyperhistaminemia was associated with the GI signs refractory to H-2 blocker therapy in dogs with MCTs.     

Penetration of drug resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from laboratory animals

A total of 713 strains of fecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from laboratory animals in the colonies of 4 research laboratories and 4 commercial breeders in Japan in 1994 were examined in regard to resistance to 8 antibacterial agents. The incidence of resistance to sulfadimethoxine (Su), streptomycin (Sm), ampicillin, cephaloridine, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and gentamicin was 99.9%, 32.5%, 6.7%, 0.7%, 7.0%, 2.6%, 6.6% and 0.7%, respectively. These results indicated that Su and Sm resistance are penetrating into normal E. coli strains isolated from laboratory animals.     

Spawning grounds and reproductive traits of anadromous and resident pond smelt, Hypomesus nipponensis, in Lake Ogawara, Japan

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to reveal the spawning grounds and reproductive characteristics of anadromous and resident pond smelt, Hypomesus nipponensis , coexisting in Lake Ogawara. Life history styles of females shedding in spawning grounds in the lake and its inflowing rivers were differentiated by otolith increment analysis. Size, dry weight, and water content of mature oocytes and fecundity of fish were compared between resident and anadromous fish. Both anadromous and resident fish spawned in the lake. In contrast, no resident fish were found in any of the inflowing rivers, where only anadromous fish spawned. Regression of fecundity against standard length was discontinuous with an inflection point at 63.8 mm, which is the body size that differentiates large anadromous spawning groups from small resident spawning groups. Mean oocyte diameters were not significantly different between resident and anadromous fish. The eggs of resident fish had significantly more water content and a significantly lower dry weight than those of anadromous fish. These differences might influence the growth and developmental processes of progeny.     

Genetic diversity of red sea bream Pagrus major in western Japan in relation to stock enhancement

SUMMARY: Stock enhancement is used in Japan as a tool to help the replenishment of wild populations of red sea bream Pagrus major . In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity and composition of wild red sea bream at seven locations around Shikoku Island, South-west Japan, using three microsatellite loci. This analysis was done to test the hypothesis that: (i) red sea bream comprises a single Mendelian population along Japan; and (ii) stock enhancement programs around Shikoku Island are causing genetic differentiation among wild stocks. The results indicated that some locations from the Shikoku area were not significantly different from the rest of Japan, supporting the hypothesis of a single Mendelian population. Significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and significant pairwise F_ST among locations indicated genetic instability within this region. We suggest that the stock enhancement programs made in the region are the possible cause of this genetic instability. A management scheme for the hatcheries involved in the stock enhancement of red sea bream is presented.     

2b Protein is essential to induce a novel gradual cell death in Zucchini yellow mosaic virus-inoculated cucumber cotyledon co-infected with Cucumber mosaic virus

Cucumber cotyledons inoculated with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, Pepo strain) or Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV, Z5-1 isolate) developed either mild chlorotic spots or no symptoms. Cotyledons treated with CMV plus ZYMV also developed mild chlorotic spots. However, plants ZYMV-inoculated cotyledons had veinal yellowing and gradual cell death by 20 days postinoculation (dpi) when co-inoculated with CMV on the other cotyledon. When analyzing this synergism, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that CMV gradually increased in CMV-inoculated cotyledons of plants, with the other cotyledon mock- or ZYMV-inoculated. However, CMV significantly increased at 9 to 14 dpi in the ZYMV-inoculated cotyledons of plants co-infected with CMV. ZYMV similarly increased in cotyledon pairs of both co-infected and singly infected plants. Inoculation with PepoΔ2b, a modified Pepo-CMV that lacks translation of the 2b protein, revealed that PepoΔ2b without the 2b protein systemically infected cucumber but induced no symptoms on cotyledons or true leaves. Plants with a ZYMV-inoculated cotyledon and co-infected with PepoΔ2b did not undergo cell death; nevertheless, PepoΔ2b was at high levels comparable to levels of CMV in the ZYMV-inoculated cotyledon. The 2b protein thus seems essential for induction of the novel gradual cell death in ZYMV-inoculated cotyledons of cucumbers co-infected with CMV.     

Amino acid 129 in the coat protein of Cucumber mosaic virus primarily determines invasion of the shoot apical meristem of tobacco plants

We previously reported that a strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (Pepo CMV) invaded the shoot apical meristem (SAM, tunica corpus) of tobacco plants at 6–8 days postinoculation (dpi), contrary to earlier observations. To identify a viral factor determining the ability to invade the SAM, we inoculated plants with two other CMV strains, MY17 and Y, and tested the three strains in this study. Immunohistochemical microscopy revealed that MY17 CMV invaded the SAM at 7 dpi, the same as Pepo CMV, but Y CMV did not, even at 21 dpi. Using RNA pseudorecombinants between Pepo and Y CMV, we found that Pepo RNA 2 affected the rate of SAM invasion, and Pepo RNA 3 was required for successful SAM invasion. Inoculation with RNA 1 and RNA 2 from Y CMV and RNA 3 containing the chimeric coat protein (CP) gene between Pepo and Y CMV or a Y RNA 3 point mutant containing a Ser-to-Pro substitution at position 129 in CP (Y129P) revealed that amino acid 129 of CP is the determinant for successful SAM invasion. The rate of SAM invasion of the pseudorecombinants and Y129P was consistent with the efficiency of cell-to-cell movement in the inoculated leaves, implying that SAM invasion by CMV strains may be due to efficient cell-to-cell movement.     

Behavior, physiology, performance and physical condition of layers in conventional and large furnished cages in a hot environment

The aim of the present study was to compare old layers' level of welfare and performance between conventional and large furnished cages under hot environmental conditions. At the age of 80 weeks, 104 Boris Brown layers were divided into two groups: 12 conventional cages (two hens/cage) and four large furnished cages (20 hens/cage, 240 cm wide × 62 cm deep). The room temperature was set to fluctuate between 25 and 33°C in a day. The hens' behavior, immune response, performance and physical condition were measured. Aggression and moving were more frequent in furnished than in conventional cages (P < 0.05 for both items). Egg production (P < 0.05), egg mass (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) were better in conventional cages than in furnished cages. No significant differences were found in the birds' immune responses or physical condition between the cage designs. In conclusion, under a hot environment, the performance of old layers in large furnished cages was lower compared with that in small conventional cages, which might be due to their greater aggressive interactions. However, it was not evident that welfare level was lower in large furnished cages compared with conventional cages. Hereafter, additional studies about large furnished cages using young layers over a long term should be performed.     

Scanning electron microscopic observation of the architecture of collagen fibres in chicken M. iliotibialis lateralis

1. The collagen architecture of M. iliotibialis lateralis in chicken was observed under the scanning electron microscope after muscle maceration in NaOH. 2. Immunohistochemical methods showed Type I and III collagens to be distributed over both perimysium and endomysium. 3. Thick perimysium around secondary myofibre fasciculi was composed of many large longitudinal collagen bundles and a few small circumferential bundles. In contrast, thin perimysium around primary myofibre fasciculi showed mainly circumferential bundles. 4. Endomysium had a honeycomb-like structure and consisted of a fine collagen mesh, its main fibre striation being circumferential. 5. It is suggested that functional demand differs between thick perimysium and thin endomysium.