Effects of L-carnitine administration on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks.

Effects of L-carnitine administration via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, blood serum parameters and abdominal fatty acid composition of ducks was examined. One hundred day-old Turkish native duck chicks were divided into two groups, each with five replicates and given the same diets with 0 and 200 mg/l carnitine chlorhydrate via drinking water. The study lasted 8 weeks, with the first 4 weeks as a starter and the last 4 weeks as grower period. At the end of the study five ducks were randomly selected from each subgroup for slaughter. Growth performance parameters of ducks were not affected significantly by L-carnitine administration. Live weight, daily weight gain, cumulative feed consumption and average feed conversion efficiency were found to be 1490 and 1621 g, 26.0 and 28.1 g, 5386 and 5662 g, 3.75 and 3.54 kg/kg in the control and in the carnitine groups respectively. L-carnitine administration did not effect carcass traits and serum cholesterol, total lipid, triglyceride and glucose levels. Total saturated fatty acid content of abdominal fat significantly decreased, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content were not affected by L-carnitine administration. In conclusion, L-carnitine administration by drinking water did not affect growth performance, carcass traits and blood parameters in ducks.     

Changes in Testicular Development, Ultrasonographic and Histological Appearance of the Testis in Buck Kids Immunized Against LHRH Using Recombinant LHRH Fusion Protein

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of recombinant Ovalbumin-LHRL (OL) immunization on changes in testicular size, histological appearance and testosterone production in buck kids. Thirty native buck kids at 18 weeks of age were divided into three groups, control (n = 10), immunization (n = 10) and castration (n = 10) groups. Immunized animals received OL protein generated by recombinant DNA technology. Ultrasonographic and histological examinations of the testes were performed. Animals were slaughtered at 44 weeks of age. Semen and epididymides were evaluated for the presence of sperm cells. Immunized animals generated anti-LHRH antibodies. Testosterone production, testicular and accessory glands development and sperm production were suppressed in the immunized animals (p < 0.01). Semineferous tubule diameters decreased (p < 0.01), basal membrane of the tubule was thickened and hyalinized in immunized kids. Immunization affected ultrasonographic appearance of the testes drastically. While testes of control animals gained their normal ultrasonographic appearance as the age increased, immunized animals had uniform hypoechogenic testicular structure as observed at 18 weeks of age until slaughter. Simultaneous histological and ultrasonographic evaluations indicated that the changes in testicular histology could partly be monitored via ultrasonographic imaging; nevertheless, it is difficult to claim that ultrasonographic image reflects the exact changes in such instances. In conclusion, these results indicate that recombinant OL fusion protein is effective in immunocastration in buck kids and has a potential to be used as an alternative to physical castration. Further researches should be conducted to help assessing reproductive status of testes from ultrasound images.     

The Effect of Total Anthocyanins Extracted From Sweet Cherry Cultivars on Carbonic Anhydrases and Antioxidant Activity

Total anthocyanins were extracted from eleven sweet cherry cultivars grown in Sakarya, Turkey. In vitro inhibition effects of extracted total anthocyanins on purified carbonic anhydrase I and II were investigated by using CO₂ as a substrate. The results showed that all extracted total anthocyanins inhibited the hCA I and hCA II enzyme activities. Among all cultivars, ‘Merton Premier’ was found to be the most active one against both hCA I (IC₅₀?=?0.83?µg/mL) and hCA II (IC₅₀?=?1.16?µg/mL). Additionally, the DPPH activities of the extracts were investigated as antioxidant properties. The results exhibited that ‘Churchill’ and ‘Merton Premier’ have high antioxidant activity with 74.102% and 73.503% DPPH activity, respectively.

     

A comparison of the gelling of isubgol,agar and gelrite on in vitro shoot regeneration and rooting of variety Samsun of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Agar is being used to solidify media for plant tissue culture since long. Both purity and type of agar or gelling agent influence the behaviour and growth of tissues in culture. The study using leaf disc explants of variety Samsun of tobacco compares adventitous shoot regeneration on 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm leaf discs cultured on MSD4X2 medium and rooting on MSO medium gelled with different blends of agar–isubgol, gelrite–isubgol, phytagel–isubgol or isubgol singly. It was found that irrespective of some problems associated with isubgol gel, the maximum number of shoot per explant were recorded on MSD4X2 medium gelled with 7 g/l isubgol. The longest shoots were recorded on MSD4X2 medium gelled with 9 g/l isubgol. Likewise, the highest number of roots were also recorded on MSO medium gelled with 7 g/l isubgol. For a given quantity of a medium, agar, gelrite/isubgol blends are very cheap compared to agar used singly. Moreover, blends of agar/isubgol, gelrite/isubgol gelled at low temperatures indicated safe use of these gels for heat labile substances in genetic transformation or tissue culture experiments. The results emphasized the potential of the isubgol used singly or in combination with agar and gelrite for economic commercial application, replacing the costliest, though not indispensable, gelling agent agar.     

The critical period of weed control in double-cropped soybean

Double-cropped soybean after winter cereals is the most common soybean production system in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Weeds are among the main obstacles to double-cropped soybean. A study was conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC) for double-cropped soybean. The treatments consisted of either allowing weeds to infest the crop for increasing durations after sowing, or maintaining plots weed-free for increasing durations after sowing. The Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to relative yields representing the critical weed-free period and the critical time of weed removal, respectively. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) were the dominant weeds. For 5% crop loss level, the CPWC was almost all season long, whereas it was from V1 to R6-R7 growth stages for 10% yield loss level. These findings indicate that pre-sowing or pre-emergence control methods should be applied in the region to avoid greater crop losses.     

Sarcocystosis in a Barasingha deer (Cervus duvauceli branderi).

An adult female hard-ground swamp deer (Barasingha), Cervus duvauceli branderi, was found dead of unknown cause in Kanha National Park. A necropsy of this animal failed to reveal any significant gross lesions. However, histopathologic examination revealed mature sarcocysts of Sarcocystis in the cardiac muscles. The morphology of the sarcocysts was similar to that of different species of Sarcocystis from wild and domestic animals. Final identification of Sarcocystis in this case could not be made. This is the first recorded case of Sarcocystis infection in hard-ground Barasingha deer.     

A bottleneck in lentil: widening its genetic base in South Asia

This paper introduces the concept of a bottleneck in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) in South Asia and then reviews its rupture. South Asia is the largest lentil growing region in the world and where indigenous lentils show a marked lack of variability. This results from its introduction from Afghanistan around 2000 B.C. and it limits breeding progress. Three approaches to widening the genetic base in the region have been tried, namely plant introduction, hybridization and mutation breeding. Introductions from West Asia flower as indigenous material matures. The asynchrony in flowering has isolated the local pilosae ecotype reproductively. However, the introduction of ILL 4605, an early, large-seeded line, has resulted in its release as ‘Manserha 89’ for wetter areas of Pakistan and its widespread use as a parent in breeding programs in the region. Hybridization between pilosae and exotic germplasm, primarily at International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) followed by selection in the sub-continent has resulted in cultivars with improved disease resistance and yield in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Mutation breeding has given new morphological markers and several promising lines. These examples illustrate not only the widening of the genetic base of the lentil in South Asia, but also the evolution of a breeding program of an international center and national programs targeted toward specific adaptation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth, Maturation, Induced Spawning, and Production of the First Generation of South American Catfish, Pseudoplatystoma sp., in North America

Growth, plasma steroids, and the appearance of gonads (histology and gonadosomatic index) were followed in South American catfish (surubim, Pseudoplatystoma sp.) raised in captivity in the aquaculture facility at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA, from 2003 until 2006. Broodstock growth showed a great individual variation and it did not seem sex dependent. The levels of 11‐ketotestosterone were high in males during the reproductive season. Three out of six females spawned after receiving two doses of carp pituitary extract (0.5 and 5 mg/kg) at 11‐h intervals. Fertilization was performed in only one female in February 2006. Egg size was 0.73 ± 0.06 mm in diameter at stripping. Two males released sperm, and it was used for fertilization. Sperm concentrations were 24 × 10⁹ and 15.5 × 10⁹ spermatozoa/mL in Male 1 and Male 2, respectively, and viability was confirmed after activation in 0.3% NaCl. Embryo survival at 9 h after fertilization was 44 and 23% for Male 1 and Male 2, respectively. Embryos hatched 15 h after fertilization. Larvae were 3.53 ± 0.09 mm in length at hatching and were successfully raised (72% survival after 2 wks) using live brine shrimp nauplii.     

Improving resistance against terminal drought in bread wheat by exogenous application of proline and gamma‐aminobutyric acid

Scarcity of water is a severe constraint, which hinders the wheat productivity worldwide. However, foliage application of osmoprotectants may be useful in reducing the drought‐induced yield losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, potential of foliage applied osmoprotectants (proline, gamma‐aminobutyric acid) in improving the performance of bread wheat against terminal drought was evaluated. Both proline and gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) were foliage applied at 50, 100 and 150 mg/L at anthesis stage (BBCH‐identification code‐ 61), in two bread wheat cultivars viz. Mairaj‐2008 and BARS‐2009. After 1 week of foliage application of these osmoprotectants, drought was imposed by maintaining the pots at 35% water holding capacity. Imposition of drought caused significant reduction in the grain yield of both tested bread wheat cultivars; nonetheless, foliage applied osmoprotectants at either concentration improved the chlorophyll contents, accumulation of proline, glycinebetaine and total soluble phenolics and reduced the malondialdehyde contents, which resulted in better stay green, maintenance of grain weight and grain number under drought stress, thus resulting in better grain yield, water‐use efficiency and transpiration efficiency in both wheat cultivars. However, foliage applied proline at 150 mg/L, and GABA at 100 mg/L was most effective than other concentrations of these osmoprotectants. Performance of cultivar Mairaj‐2008 was quite better than cultivar BARS‐2009. In crux, foliar application of proline and GABA at pre‐optimized rate can be opted as a shotgun approach to improve the performance of wheat under terminal drought.     

Assessment of Radionuclides, Trace Metals and Radionuclide Transfer from Soil to Food of Jhangar Valley (Pakistan) Using Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

The gamma spectrometric analysis of soil and essential foodstuffs, e.g., wheat, millet, potato, lentils and cauliflower, which form the main component of the daily diet of the local public, was carried out using high purity germanium (HpGe) detector coupled with a computer based high-resolution multi-channel analyzer. The activity concentration in soil samples for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K ranged from 30.0 Bq kg^?1 to 81.2 Bq kg^?1, 31.4 Bq kg^?1 to 78.25 Bq kg^?1 and 308.8 Bq kg^?1 to 2177.6 Bq kg^?1, with mean values of 56.2, 58.5 and 851.9 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The average activity measured for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in soil samples was found higher than the world average. The major radionuclide found in the food items studied was ⁴⁰K, while ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ¹³⁷Cs were detected in very nominal amounts. The results clearly indicate that these radionuclides have no health hazard to human beings, as they are well below the annual limit of intake (ALI) for these radionuclides. The transfer factors of these radionuclides from soil to food were also studied. The mean transfer factors of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ¹³⁷Cs from soil to food were estimated to be about 0.17, 0.07, 0.16 and 0.23, respectively. An artificial radionuclide, ¹³⁷Cs, was also present in detectable amount in all samples. The internal and external hazard indices were measured and had mean values of 0.70 and 0.55, respectively. Absorbed dose rates and effective dose have been determined in the present study. Concentration of trace metals, such as Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn, was also determined in the soil samples. The concentrations of radionuclides and trace metals found in these samples during the present study were nominal and do not pose any potential health hazard to the general public.