Evaluation of vaginal discharge with the Metricheck device and the relationship to reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows

Vaginal mucus during estrus was examined with the Metricheck device and the relationship to the reproduction of high‐yielding dairy cows was studied. The study was conducted in 99 dairy herds located in Western Germany and 1348 Holstein‐Friesian heifers and cows showing spontaneous estrus were examined. Independent of the Metricheck result, the animals were inspected by professional insemination technicians and those suitable for insemination (n = 989) were bred by artificial insemination (AI). Reproductive performance was characterized by non‐return rate at 90 days (NRR90). The discharge of the animals predominantly had a clear appearance (70%) and a stringy consistency (80%). Animals with clear vaginal discharge had higher NRR90 (56%; n = 697) than animals with abnormal (turbid, mucopurulent, purulent, sanguineous) vaginal secretion (48%, n = 292; P < 0.05). NRR90 was lower in animals with short calving to AI interval (< 70 days; 39%) than with medium (70–130 days; 54%) or long (> 130 days; 62%) intervals (P < 0.05). NRR90 decreased by 12% from the lowest (< 15 kg) to the highest (> 45 kg) milk yield class. In conclusion, the use of the Metricheck device integrated into the insemination procedure is recommended to identify dairy cows suffering severely from uterine disease.     

Genome-wide insertional mutagenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana

Over 225,000 independent Agrobacterium transferred DNA (T-DNA) insertion events in the genome of the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana have been created that represent near saturation of the gene space. The precise locations were determined for more than 88,000 T-DNA insertions, which resulted in the identification of mutations in more than 21,700 of the approximately 29,454 predicted Arabidopsis genes. Genome-wide analysis of the distribution of integration events revealed the existence of a large integration site bias at both the chromosome and gene levels. Insertion mutations were identified in genes that are regulated in response to the plant hormone ethylene.     

Coastal ecosystem-based management with nonlinear ecological functions and values

A common assumption is that ecosystem services respond linearly to changes in habitat size. This assumption leads frequently to an "all or none" choice of either preserving coastal habitats or converting them to human use. However, our survey of wave attenuation data from field studies of mangroves, salt marshes, seagrass beds, nearshore coral reefs, and sand dunes reveals that these relationships are rarely linear. By incorporating nonlinear wave attenuation in estimating coastal protection values of mangroves in Thailand, we show that the optimal land use option may instead be the integration of development and conservation consistent with ecosystem-based management goals. This result suggests that reconciling competing demands on coastal habitats should not always result in stark preservation-versus-conversion choices.     

Effects of a diet enriched with eicosapentaenoic,docosahexaenoic and glutamine on cytokines as immunological markers for systemic inflammation in bitches before and after ovariohysterectomy

The post-operative period can generate immunological stress and can be modulated through supplementation with the omega-3 series of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diets enriched with high doses of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids and glutamine on inflammatory mediators in dogs before and after ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Twelve female dogs were divided into two groups: group A was fed a commercial diet without the addition of EPA and DHA, and group B was fed an experimental diet enriched with EPA and DHA (0.2 g/100 kcal). Experimental diet intake initiated 21 days before surgery and continued until 30 days after OVH. Parameters measured were serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10), C-reactive protein (CRP), IGF-1, lymphoproliferation and body composition before and after surgery. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS software considering the effects of age and diet and their interactions, and means were compared by the Tukey test. There was no difference between groups in body weight (p = .682), lean mass (p = .101) and body fat (p = .103). There were no group differences in serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IGF-1, CRP and the percentage of lymphocyte proliferation. However, a time effect for TNF-α was observed (p < .001), in which T_0P (10 days after the surgical procedure) presented lower values of this cytokine when compared to the other evaluation time points; and interaction effects between group and time were observed for serum concentrations of IL-6 (p < .001) and IL-10 (p = .002). OVH procedure was not considered invasive enough to increase inflammatory cytokines after 30 days of surgery, as well as the dosage of the EPA and DHA used before and after the surgery did not modulate the inflammatory markers.     

Adoption of sustainable irrigation management practices by stone and pome fruit growers in the Goulburn/Murray Valleys, Australia

The management of water resources by orchards in the south-eastern region of Australia is an increasingly important policy issue, especially given the low water allocations and concerns about salinity in recent years. Optimal management for economic and environmental sustainability can be described as best management practice (BMP). A project was developed to run an extension program, which aimed to achieve behavioural change among orchardists through the adoption of irrigation BMPs and benchmarks. The effectiveness of the extension program was evaluated and the drivers for adoption assessed. In the first stage of the project both BMPs and benchmarks were determined for irrigation management. A survey of 200 growers showed no relationship between yield and irrigation system or irrigation volume suggesting that increased yields were not a key driver for adoption of sustainable irrigation practices. Stage two of the project involved undertaking an extension program aimed to facilitate the adoption of BMPs and benchmarks and incorporated a suite of activities to meet the learning needs of a diversity of participants (40 growers). The program was effective in establishing behavioural change for many of the growers involved; however, it was resource intensive requiring significant one-on-one input. Stage three aimed to analyse the key drivers for adoption of sustainable irrigation practices for the whole of the stone and pome fruit industry in south-eastern Australia using market research. The study determined that water use efficiency was not a key driver for adoption of sustainable irrigation practices (micro irrigation and soil moisture monitoring) and adoption was generally not limited by lack of knowledge. Groups of growers were identified where extension programs could be effective by focussing on specific information e.g. redevelopment of orchard. Other groups had no need and/or ability to change unless the external operating environment was to change e.g. regulation, access to pressurised water. The voluntary adoption of more sustainable irrigation practices will probably require extensive resources using one-on-one methodology. The extension program should not focus on the broader social objective of improved water use efficiency but promote other potential benefits (e.g. labour saving, redevelopment of production systems, management flexibility) with targeted messages for specific groups.     

Gelation of chicken pectoralis major myosin and heat-denatured beta-lactoglobulin

Thermal, rheological, and microstructural properties of myosin (1 and 2% protein) were compared to mixtures of 1% myosin and 1% heat-denatured beta-lactoglobulin aggregates (myosin/HDLG) and 1% myosin and 1% native beta-lactoglobulin (myosin/beta-LG) in 0.6 M NaCl and 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 during heating to 71 degrees C. Thermal denaturation patterns of myosin and myosin/HDLG were similar except for the appearance of an endothermic peak at 54-56 degrees C in the mixed system. At pH 7.0, 2% myosin began to gel at 48 degrees C and had a storage modulus (G') of 500 Pa upon cooling. Myosin/HDLG (2% total protein) had a gel point of 48 degrees C and a G' of 650 Pa, whereas myosin/beta-LG had a gel point of 49 degrees C but the G' was lower (180 Pa). As the pH was decreased, the gel points of myosin and myosin/HDLG decreased and the G' after cooling increased. The HDLG was incorporated within the myosin gel network, whereas beta-LG remained soluble.     

Response of Ammophila breviligulata to acid rain and low soil pH

The effects of simulated acid rain and low soil pH on the growth of Ammophila breviligulata (Cape Strain), American beach grass, were studied in greenhouse experiments. Plants treated with acid rain were shorter, but shoot density, live shoot biomass, and rhizome biomass were not adversely affected by the acid rain treatments. Root biomass was greatest in the acid rain treatments. A manipulated soil pH of 4.0, typical of that found in field sites of dying beach grass, resulted in significantly reduced plant height, shoot density, shoot biomass, and rhizome biomass. Root biomass was greater in the low pH treatment and was six times greater than rhizome biomass in that treatment while the root to rhizome ratio was approximately 1∶1 in the control — likely a reflection of the plant's response to decreased nutrient availability in the low pH soil. Acid rain treatment of dune sand resulted in the leaching of Al, a potentially phytotoxic element.     

Influence of dietary genistein levels on tissue genistein deposition and on the physical, chemical, and sensory quality of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Genistein, the primary isoflavone in soybean, is one of the chemical components responsible for some of the off-flavors associated with soy-based foods. The potential effects of genistein on the sensory and chemical quality of fish muscle may affect the full utilization of soybean meal as an alternative protein in aquaculture diets. Fingerling trout fed commercial diets containing 0, 500, 1000, or 3000 ppm pure genistein were analyzed after 6 and 12 months of feeding. Genistein was extracted by enzymatic digestions in Tris buffer and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Moisture, fat, protein, ash, and tristimulus color of the fillets were determined. The extent of lipid oxidation occurring in fillets harvested after 12 months of feeding was studied by measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) after 4 and 8 days of refrigerated storage at 4 degrees C. Triangle tests were performed to determine if there were any detectable sensory differences. A dietary genistein content of 3000 ppm led to the deposition of approximately 5.4 pmol of genistein/mg of fillet. Triangle test panelists were unable to detect any significant (p < or = 0.05) differences between the fillets from trout fed the 0 and 3000 ppm genistein concentrations. Moisture, ash, and protein content were influenced by time of harvest, while color was unaffected. TBARS levels on days 4 and 8 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the fillets from the 0 ppm genistein level than in fillets from fish fed dietary genistein.