Abortion in dairy cattle with advanced twin pregnancies: Incidence and timing

This study examines incidences and timing of abortion in Holstein Friesian dairy cows with advanced twin pregnancies in north‐eastern Spain. The study population consisted of 1,194 twin pregnancies in two herds recorded from 2010 to 2015: 522 bilateral and 672 unilateral. The presence of live twins was determined by transrectal ultrasonography between 55 and 61 days post‐AI and pregnancy confirmed 60 days later. Abortion was recorded in 278 (23.3%) cows before Day 260 of pregnancy: 7 (1.3%) in bilateral and 271 (40.3%) in unilateral twin pregnancies. Using binary logistic regression procedures the following were excluded as risk factors for abortion: herd, year, heat stress (temperature‐humidity index values >72), lactation number and right versus left side for unilateral twins. Based on odds ratios, cows carrying unilateral twins were 49.9 (right unilateral twins) and 49.3 (left unilateral twins) times more likely to suffer abortion than cows with bilateral twins. The average time of abortion for unilateral twins was 173 ± 32 days and ranged from 135 to 249 days, 43% of abortions occurring between 135 and 154 days of gestation. The authors suggest prevention or reduction of unilateral twin pregnancies by follicular puncture and drainage of subordinate follicles at AI or manual rupture of the amniotic vesicle of one of the two twins at the time of pregnancy diagnosis.     

The Biochemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fucus vesiculosus from the Arctic Region

Fucus vesiculosus is one of the most prominent brown algae in the shallow waters of the seas of the Arctic region (Barents (BS), White (WS), Norwegian (NS), and Irminger (IS)). The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical composition of F. vesiculosus from the Arctic at different reproductive phases, and to evaluate the antioxidant properties of F. vesiculosus extracts. The amounts of monosaccharides, phlorotannins, flavonoids, and ash and the mineral composition significantly varied in the algae. A strong correlation was established between monosaccharide, phlorotannin, and flavonoid accumulation and water salinity (Pearson’s correlation coefficients r = −0.58, 0.83, and 0.44, respectively; p < 0.05). We noted a negative correlation between the antioxidant activity and the amount of the structural monosaccharides of fucoidan (r = −0.64). A positive correlation of phlorotannins and flavonoids with antioxidant power was confirmed for all samples. The ash accumulation was relatively lower in the sterile phase for the algae from the BS and WS. The correlation between the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) and the reproductive phases was medium with high fluctuation. Meanwhile, the MPI strongly correlated with the salinity and sampling site. The gradient of the MPI values across the sea was in the following ranking order: BS < WS < NS < IS. Taken together, and based on our data on the elemental contents of F. vesiculosus, we believe that this alga does not accumulate toxic doses of elements. Therefore, the Arctic F. vesiculosus could be safely used in food and drug development as a source of active biochemical compounds and as a source of dietary elements to cover the daily nutritional requirements of humans.     

Photosynthetic Responses of Nitrate-Fed and Nitrogen-Fixing Soybeans to Progressive Water Stress

The effect of nitrogen (N) source (nitrogen fixation or nitrate assimilation) and progressive water stress on pigment content, carbon assimilation and changes in the activity of certain photosynthetic (Rubisco and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxilase) and photorespiratory enzymes (glutamate synthetase and glycolate oxidase) during vegetative development of soybean plants was studied. Glycolate oxidase declined by 13% in nitrogen-fixing plants under water deficit, and increased in nitrate-fed ones. Nodulated plants were less sensitive to drought than nitrate-fed individuals; although as general growth was inhibited under drought stress in both experimental models. Results support the importance of nitrogen source in soybean responses to water stress. Difference in sensitivity of nitrate-fed and nitrogen-fixing plants towards water stress seems to be related not to nitrogen assimilation process itself, but to complex interactions with photorespiratory flux and stomatal conductance.     

Weak effects of farming practices corresponding to agricultural greening measures on farmland bird diversity in boreal landscapes

Context

The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union includes three greening measures, which are partly intended to benefit farmland biodiversity. However, the relative biodiversity effects of the greening measures, including joint effects of landscape context, are not well understood.

Objectives

We studied the effects of increasing crop diversity, proportions of production grasslands and fallows, corresponding to CAP greening measures, on open farmland bird diversity, whilst controlling for the effects of distance to forests, field edge density and proportion of built-up areas.

Methods

We surveyed open farmland birds using territory mapping in Southern Finland. We modelled effects of greening measures and landscape structure on farmland birds (7642 territories) using generalised linear mixed models.

Results

Increasing proportions of grasslands increased farmland bird species richness and diversity in open farmland, whereas increasing proportions of fallows increased bird diversity. Increasing crop diversity benefited individual species, but not species richness or diversity. Increasing field edge densities consistently increased the species richness of all farmland species, in-field nesters and non-crop nesters, as well as total farmland bird diversity. The relative effect of edge density was much stronger compared to the three greening measures.

Conclusions

Our results show that promoting fallows and grasslands, in particular grazed grasslands and various types of semi-natural grasslands, has the highest potential to benefit farmland bird diversity. Maintaining or increasing field edge densities, currently not supported, seems to be of even more benefit. In open farmland, with little or no field edges, fallows and grasslands are particularly beneficial.

     

Reduction of Salt in Haddock Mince: Effect of Different Salts on the Solubility of Proteins

ABSTRACT

Due to negative health effects of high sodium intake, it is recommended to reduce the daily salt intake by around 50%. To reduce the sodium content, sodium salts can be exchanged with potassium or magnesium salts. The effect of sodium, potassium, and magnesium chlorides on extractability of proteins from fresh and frozen haddock muscle and minces was studied. Salting with KCl and MgCl₂ instead of NaCl changed protein extractability. The highest solubility of the proteins was achieved using Na⁺. However, at low concentrations, extractability in K⁺ and Mg²⁺ is on the same level as Na⁺, showing that partial substitution of NaCl with KCl or MgCl₂ is possible. Freezing affected the structure of tissue and protein properties, resulting in decreased amount of salt soluble proteins.     

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in Horses

The cloning of equids was achieved in 2003, several years after the birth of Dolly the sheep and also after the cloning of numerous other laboratory and farm animal species. The delay was because of the limited development in the horse of more classical-assisted reproductive techniques required for successful cloning, such as oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo production. When these technologies were developed, the application of cloning also became possible and cloned horse offspring were obtained. This review summarizes the main technical procedures that are required for cloning equids and the present status of this technique. The first step is competent oocyte maturation, this is followed by oocyte enucleation and reconstruction, using either zona-enclosed or zona-free oocytes, by efficient activation to allow high cleavage rates and finally by a suitable in vitro embryo culture technique. Cloning of the first equid, a mule, was achieved using an in vivo -matured oocytes and immediate transfer of the reconstructed embryo, i.e. at the one cell stage, to the recipient oviduct. In contrast, the first horse offspring was obtained using a complete in vitro procedure from oocyte maturation to embryo culture to the blastocyst stage, followed by non-surgical transfer. Later studies on equine cloning report high efficiency relative to that for other species. Cloned equid offspring reported to date appear to be normal and those that have reached puberty have been confirmed to be fertile. In summary, horse cloning is now a reproducible technique that offers the opportunity to preserve valuable genetics and notably to generate copies of castrated champions and therefore, offspring from those champions that would be impossible to obtain otherwise.     

Correlation of electrophoretic urine protein banding patterns with severity of renal damage in dogs with proteinuric chronic kidney disease

Background

Urine protein loss is common in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Currently available noninvasive means of evaluating CKD in dogs cannot accurately predict the severity of glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage. Electrophoretic analysis of urine proteins can indicate the compromised renal compartment (glomerular vs tubular), but extensive evaluation of protein banding pattern associations with histologic damage severity has not been performed in dogs.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate electrophoretic banding patterns as indicators of the presence and severity of glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage in dogs with naturally occurring, predominantly proteinuric CKD.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study using urine and renal tissue from 207 dogs with CKD. Urine protein banding patterns were correlated with histologic severity of renal damage. Sensitivity and specificity of banding patterns for the detection of glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage were determined.

Results

Banding patterns were 97% sensitive and 100% specific for the detection of glomerular damage and 90% sensitive and 100% specific for the detection of tubulointerstitial damage. Correlations between composite banding patterns and the severity of renal damage were strong, while glomerular banding patterns correlated moderately with glomerular damage severity, and tubular gel scores correlated weakly to moderately with the severity of tubulointerstitial damage.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Urine protein banding patterns are useful for the detection of glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage in dogs with proteinuric CKD.     

In vitro susceptibilities to fluoroquinolones in current and archived Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae isolates from meat-type turkeys

Monitoring of susceptibility to antibiotics in field isolates of pathogenic avian mycoplasmas is important for appropriate choice of treatment. Our study compared in vitro susceptibility to enrofloxacin and difloxacin in recent (2005-2006) isolates of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae from meat-type turkey flocks with archived (1997-2003) isolates and reference strains. Comparison of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values determined by microtest, agar dilution and commercial Etest showed good agreement, but underscored the need for standardized methods for testing. Notably, while the commercial Etest was convenient and accurate for determining MICs for enrofloxacin in the range 0.002-0.094mug/ml, the endpoint of inhibition for M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae strains with MIC values >/=1.0mug/ml could not be determined. A decrease in susceptibility to both fluoroquinolones was detected in archived strains but to a greater degree in recent isolates, most of which had MICs above the NCCLS susceptibility breakpoint for these antibiotics (相似文献   

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) clonal seed orchards in Hungary

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important stand-forming tree species in Hungary and its importance is increasing in many countries. The main aim of the discussed new selection programme is to identify black locust clones with good performance and good form for setting up clonal seed orchards. As a result of selection programme 16 new black locust clones have been improved. In spring 2002 a black locust seed orchard was established with the newly selected clones. About 40% of the plants can be considered to belong to the height growth rate class 1 and 2. Hungary was the first country where micropropagated black locust planting material was used for seed orchard establishment.