Effect of environmental variables on the number of births at California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) rookeries throughout the Gulf of California,Mexico

1. The 13 California sea lion breeding colonies in the Gulf of California (GoC), Mexico are each characterized by different population growth trends, including a variable number of births. Despite being located in a highly productive marine area, both the species’ population and the number of births have declined significantly over the past few decades.
2. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of certain environmental variables on the number of births at colonies in three regions (northern, central and southern) of the GoC (1995–2018). Data on diet, small pelagic fish catches by fisheries, the density of small pelagic fish schools, remotely sampled values of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration and El Niño Southern Oscillation events were collected in order to evaluate whether these variables had an effect on the number of births using correlations and generalized linear models.
3. No significant relationships were found between the environmental variables and the number of births. However, the number of births decreased when the sea surface temperature anomalies exceeded 1°C in the northern and central regions of the GoC. Although no significant relationships were found between the small pelagic fish catches and the number of births, positive trends were observed between sardine catches and the number of births during certain periods in the central region. A positive correlation between the density of small pelagic fish schools and the number of births suggests a possible relationship between prey availability and reproductive success in the central region.
4. A Programme of Action for the Conservation of the Species should be promoted by the Federal Government and carried out in order to implement specific management actions. Specifically, surveillance efforts should increase, fishing gear conversion plans should be established and sea lion exclusion devices should be introduced, among other measures.

     

Successful Hybridization of Acipenser Species Using Cryopreserved Sperm

Successful hybridization of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) × Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri), sterlet × Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti) and sterlet × European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) was carried out for the first time using cryopreserved semen of sturgeon males and sterlet × sterlet crosses as controls. Sperm of all three species was diluted with a cryodiluent composed of 23.4 mM sucrose, 0.25 mM KCl, 30 mM Tris (pH 8.0) and 10% methanol. The samples were frozen in plastic straws in the vapor of liquid nitrogen at the height of 3 cm above the level of nitrogen for 3 min. Following thawing approximately 3000 sterlet eggs were fertilized with six straws of frozen-thawed sperm. The hatching rate with sterlet sperm was 30.6% while the hatching rate of A. ruthenus × A. baeri, A. ruthenus × A. gueldenstaedti and A. ruthenus × A. sturio hybrids was 50, 17.4 and 34%, respectively. Morphometric markers as well as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used to verify interspecific hybridization.     

Postpartum toll-like receptors and β-defensin 5 mRNA levels in the endometrium of Holstein cows

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and β-defensins are important components of the innate immune system. This study aimed to evaluate endometrial mRNA levels of TLRs (1/6, 2, 4, and 5) and β-defensin 5 in Holstein cows by quantitative real time RT-PCR. Uterine biopsies were performed from 6 to 12 h after parturition, and cows were divided into two groups: (i) cows with placental retention and clinical signs of uterine infection until 45 days postpartum (n=10) or (ii) cows with normal puerperium (n=10). All cows had detectable levels of TLRs and β-defensin 5 mRNAs, but these levels did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Levels of TLR4 mRNA had a positive and significant correlation with the time required for uterine involution in both groups.     

Effect of toasting intensity at cooperage on phenolic compounds in acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) heartwood

The phenolic composition of heartwood from Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known as false acacia, before and after toasting in cooperage was studied by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. A total of 41 flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds were identified, some tentatively, and quantified. Seasoned acacia wood showed high concentrations of flavonoid and low levels of nonflavonoid compounds, the main compounds being the dihydroflavonols dihydrorobinetin, fustin, tetrahydroxy, and trihydroxymethoxy dihydroflavonol, the flavonol robinetin, the flavanones robtin and butin, and a leucorobinetinidin, none of which are found in oak wood. The low molecular weight (LMW) phenolic compounds present also differed from those found in oak, since compounds with a β-resorcylic structure, gallic related compounds, protocatechuic aldehyde, and some hydroxycinnamic compounds are included, but only a little gallic and ellagic acid. Toasting changed the chromatographic profiles of extracts spectacularly. Thus, the toasted acacia wood contributed flavonoids and condensed tannins (prorobinetin type) in inverse proportion to toasting intensity, while LMW phenolic compounds were directly proportional to toasting intensity, except for gallic and ellagic acid and related compounds. Even though toasting reduced differences between oak and acacia, particular characteristics of this wood must be taken into account when considering its use in cooperage: the presence of flavonoids and compounds with β-resorcylic structure and the absence of hydrolyzable tannins.     

Determination of triterpenic acids in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography: triterpenoid interaction with serum protein

Terpenic acids are under development as therapeutic agents in numerous treatments. In support of pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluations, a robust assay based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the analysis of the terpenoids in human serum. For a clear understanding of the differences in biological activity of these compounds, the interactions between oleanolic or betulinic acids and human serum protein have been studied by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption under physiological conditions. A combination of liquid/liquid extraction, centrifugation, and consecutive HPLC resulted in simultaneous separation, identification, and quantification of the oleanolic, betulinic, and ursolic acids. The validity of the developed method was established by determining linearity, recovery, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and quantification. Detection limits were in the range of 3.3-4.3 ng/mL, and linearity values ranged up to 1 μg/mL. The repeatability of the method was good. All compounds can be well-distinguished by order of elution during liquid chromatography. The pentacyclic triterpenoids have been identified by retention time comparison to pure standards and quantified by an internal standard. The results by UV-vis absorption spectra experiments (240-340 nm) indicate that protein structures have been perturbed in the presence of oleanolic and betulinic acids.     

USE OF TRANSSPLENIC INJECTION OF AGITATED SALINE AND HEPARINIZED BLOOD FOR THE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF MACROSCOPIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN DOGS

We describe the use of ultrasonography‐guided percutaneous splenic injection of agitated saline and heparinized blood for the diagnosis of portosystemic shunts (PSS) in 34 dogs. Agitated saline mixed with 1 ml of heparinized autologous blood was injected into the spleen of 34 sedated dogs under sonographic guidance. The transducer was then sequentially repositioned to visualize the portal vein, the caudal vena cava, and the right atrium through different acoustic windows. It was possible to differentiate between intrahepatic and extrahepatic shunts depending on the entry point of the microbubbles into the caudal vena cava. Portoazygos shunts and portocaval shunts could be differentiated based on the presence of microbubbles in the caudal vena cava and/or the right atrium. In one dog, collateral circulation due to portal hypertension was identified. In dogs with a single extrahepatic shunt, the microbubbles helped identify the shunting vessel. The technique was also used postoperatively to assess the efficacy of shunt closure. All abnormal vessels were confirmed by exploratory laparotomy or with ultrasonographic identification of the shunting vessel. Ultrasound‐guided transsplenic injection of agitated saline with heparinized blood should be considered as a valuable technique for the diagnosis of PSS; it is easy to perform, safe, and the results are easily reproducible.     

Effect of the Extrusion on Functional Properties and Mineral Dialyzability from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus Vulgaris</Emphasis> Bean Flour

The effects of extrusion conditions on cooking degree, flour dispersion viscosity and mineral potential availability of extruded bean flour were studied. Phaseolus vulgaris beans of the agronomic cultivar “Flor de mayo” were ground and dehulled to obtain grits and then extruded at different temperatures (140, 160 and 180 °C) and moisture contents (17, 20 and 23%), according to a bifactorial experimental design. Degree of cooking was estimated by water solubility (WS) and specific mechanical energy (SME). The effect of variables on WS and SME were analysed by surface response methodology. Flour dispersion viscosity and mineral availability (estimated by in vitro dialyzability), were also evaluated on selected samples. Results showed that, within the ranges of the variables used for this study, only the effect of temperature was significant on the degree of cooking. No direct correlation was observed between water solubility and SME, although a maximum value of WS corresponded to a range of SME values of 400–500 J/g was observed. Dispersion viscosity decreases as WS increases, so if high calorie density is desired, for instance in order to produce a cream soup formula, bean grits should be extruded at high temperature and as low moisture as possible, in our case 180 °C and 17% moisture. On the other hand, the effects of extrusion variables on iron and zinc dialyzability were not much affected.     

Climate,female traits and population features as drivers of breeding timing in Mediterranean red deer populations

Understanding the factors that lead to variation in the timing of breeding in widespread species such as red deer (Cervus elaphus) is crucial to predict possible responses of wild populations to different climate scenarios. Here, we sought to further understand the causes of inter‐annual variation in the reproduction timing of female deer in Mediterranean environments. An integrative approach was used to identify the relative importance of individual, population and climate traits in the date of conception of free‐ranging deer, based on a dataset of 829 hinds culled during 12 years. We found that a population trait, density, was the most important factor explaining the variation in conception dates, with greater densities causing later conception dates. Body mass was the second in importance, with heavier females conceiving earlier than lighter ones. Almost equally important was the spring real bioclimatic index, a measure of plant productivity, causing later conception dates in the least productive springs (drier and hotter). Another climatic component, the end of summer drought, showed that the sooner the autumn arrives (greater rainfalls and cooler temperatures) the earlier the conception dates. Interestingly, age class was found to be a minor factor in determining conception date. Only older females (≥10 years old) conceived significantly later, suggesting reproductive senescence. This study highlights not only the importance of population and individual traits but also the influence of climatic parameters on the deer reproductive cycle in Mediterranean environments, giving valuable insight into how reproductive phenology may respond to seasonality and global climate changes.