Study on the prevalence of dairy cattle lameness and its effects of production indices in Iran. A locomotion scoring base study

In this current study, prevalence of lameness was detected and its changes during different parities, Days in Milk (DIM) and milk production were studies. In addition, effects of lameness on Open Days (OD) and Service per Conception (S/C) were studied. Three dairy farms on three scales (1: Large, approximately 900 milking cows, 2: Medium, approximately 100 milking cows and 3: Small, approximately 20 milking cows) were watched for lameness in 2005-2006. Locomotion Scoring (LS) by Sprecher method (1-5 point scale) has been done by videoing of the animals at the exit of the milking parlor. Videos were reviewed by two expert and mean of the each score used as score of the animal, cows with scores 1 and 2 recorded as non-lame and 3, 4 and 5 as lame cows. The average score of the lameness in autumn and spring recorded as 2.47 and 2.73, respectively that was higher significantly in spring. LS has been increased significantly by increasing parity and DIM, as highest scores were recorded in parity 4 and DIM 240-300. No significant differences between lame and non-lame cows were recorded in according to their milk production. The highest (percent in lame cows) scores were recorded in high producing cows. No significant difference in milk production has been recorded in different LS. However the average production of milk in lame cows were 1.08 L day(-1) less that non-lame cows. The average OD of the lame cows was significantly longer (52 days) than non-lame cows. Lame cows needed significantly higher service/conception (one) than non-lame cows. Median of OD and S/C has been increased by LS.     

Labile organic matter fractions as early‐season nitrogen supply indicators in manure‐amended soils

Soil test indicators are needed to predict the contribution of soil organic N to crop N requirements. Labile organic matter (OM) fractions containing C and N are readily metabolized by soil microorganisms, which leads to N mineralization and contributes to the soil N supply to crops. The objective of this study was to identify labile OM fractions that could be indicators of the soil N supply by evaluating the relationship between the soil N supply, the C and N concentrations, and C/N ratios of water extractable OM, hot‐water extractable OM, particulate OM, microbial biomass, and salt extractable OM. Labile OM fractions were measured before planting spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in fertilized soils and the soil N supply was determined from the wheat N uptake and soil mineral N concentration after 6 weeks. Prior to the study, fertilized sandy loam and silty clay soils received three annual applications of 90 kg available N (ha · y)^?1 from mineral fertilizer, liquid dairy cattle manure, liquid swine manure or solid poultry litter, and there was a zero‐N control. Water extractable organic N was the only labile OM fraction to be affected by fertilization in both soil types (P < 0.01). Across both test soils, the soil N supply was significantly correlated with the particulate OM N (r = 0.87, P < 0.001), the particulate OM C (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), and hot‐water extractable organic N (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). We conclude that pre‐planting concentrations of particulate OM and hot‐water extractable organic N could be early season indicators of the soil N supply in fertilized soils of the Saint Lawrence River Lowlands in Quebec, Canada. The suitability of these pre‐planting indicators to predict the soil N supply under field conditions and in fertilized soils from other regions remains to be determined.     

Effect of salicylic acid and salt on wheat seed germination

Abstract

The effects of pretreatment with salicylic acid on wheat seed germination (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Roshan), lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activity were studied under conditions of salt stress. Seeds treated with different concentrations of salicylic acid were used for measuring germination traits. Salt stress was induced by sodium chloride solution. Seeds were soaked in salicylic acid solution for 24 h, dried with sterile paper, transferred to sterile Petri dishes, and treated with 10 ml NaCl solution at different concentrations. After 1 week, the number of germinated seeds, root length, seedling length, and dry weight were recorded. Antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation were also assayed. Salinity decreased seed germination. Thus, a high concentration of NaCl (200 mM) decreased germination by 17.6% compared with control treatment. Salicylic acid significantly increased germination in stressed and control seeds. Salicylic acid increased the level of cell division of seedlings and roots, which increased plant growth. Salt stress significantly increased the activity of the antioxidative enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase in wheat seedlings, and salicylic acid reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes as stress signal molecules. Our results indicated that scavenging of reactive oxygen species was effective, especially by salicylic acid, and that membrane damage was limited. The aim of the present work was to study the character of changes in enzymatic systems induced by NaCl and salicylic acid in wheat seedlings under conditions of salt stress. In brief, salicylic acid treatment reduced the damaging action of salinity on embryo growth and accelerated a restoration of growth processes; thereupon it may be effective for the improvement of seed germination in arid and semi-arid regions.     

Control of Listeria Monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 Inoculated on Fish Fillets Using Alginate Coating Containing Lactoperoxidase System and Zataria multiflora Boiss Essential Oil

The present study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of alginate coating incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) and lactoperoxidase system (LPOS), individually and in combination, in order to control inoculated Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O₁₅₇:H₇ in rainbow trout fillets during 16days of storage at 4°C. The antibacterial activity of ZEO was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O₁₅₇:H₇ through determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). In vivo study was performed by inoculating four strains of L. monocytogenes as culture cocktail and one strain of E. coli O₁₅₇:H₇ on trout fillets for their survival evaluation during the 16-day storage. Results indicated that ZEO and LPOS, when used in combination in alginate solution, had a stronger effect on the control of mentioned bacteria in trout fillets; however, their individual use could significantly inhibit their growth, when compared to the control. Moreover, it has been implicated that alginate coating, when used with no antimicrobial agent, had a supportive effect on the growth of these pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the application of alginate coating containing ZEO and LPOS is recommended in foods, especially fish and fish products.     

Contact between root and iron substrate and the mobilization of iron by soybean roots

The question of whether a direct (uninterrupted) contact between plant roots and solid substrate is a prerequisite for the mobilization of sparingly soluble iron (Fe) by plant roots was investigated. Factorial combinations of two types of contact between the roots and rooting medium [direct or interrupted (roots placed inside a dialysis tube (DT)], two rooting media (nutrient solution or vermiculite), and two Fe supply conditions [without soluble Fe (control) or plus Fe‐EDDHA] were investigated. Placing the roots inside DT, with no visible mechanical impedance for the root, reduced the growth of tops and roots in most cases. Iron mobilization, judged by the total amount of Fe in the tops, strongly decreased if roots were enclosed in DT. This was true in plants grown in vermiculite as well as in nutrient solution containing Fe‐EDDHA. It is concluded that a direct contact between the surface of root cell walls and the Fe substrate is a prerequisite for the Fe mobilization by the plant roots.     

L-arginine supplementation of reduced-protein diets improves pulmonary hypertensive response in broiler chickens reared at high altitude

1. This study was conducted at high altitude (2100 m above sea level). A total of 208 d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomised across 16 floor pens and reared up to 42 d. A normal-protein diet (NPD) was formulated according to the National Research Council. A reduced-protein diet (RPD) was prepared with dietary protein reduced by 30 g/kg relative to that of the NPD. Two additional diets were prepared by adding 2 and 4 g L-arginine (ARG)/kg to the RPD. At the end of trial (42 d), blood sampling was done and carcass characteristics were recorded.

2. ARG supplementation of the RPD at 4 g improved feed:gain in the growing stage and throughout the trial compared with the RPD.

3. The right-to-total ventricular weight ratio was significantly increased in birds fed on RPD compared with those fed on NPD or ARG-supplemented RPD.

4. Feeding RPD caused a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid. Plasma NO level, however, was restored by ARG supplementation of RPD. ARG supplementation of RPD, however, significantly reduced the rate of pulmonary hypertension syndrome mortality compared to the negative control fed on RPD.

     

Factors affecting the success of resynchronization protocols with or without progesterone supplementation in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence the success of resynchronization protocols for bovines with and without progesterone supplementation. Cow synchronized and not found pregnant were randomly assigned to two resynchronization protocols: ovsynch without progesterone (P4) supplementation (n = 66) or with exogenous P4 administered from Days 0 to 7 (n = 67). Progesterone levels were measured on Days 0 and 7 of these protocols as well as 4 and 5 days post-insemination. Progesterone supplementation raised the P4 levels on Day 7 (p < 0.05), but had no overall effect on resynchronization rates (RRs) or pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). However, cows with Body Condition Score (BCS) > 3.5 had increased P/AI values while cows with BCS < 2.75 had decreased P/AI rates after P4 supplementation. Primiparous cows had higher P4 values on Day 7 than pluriparous animals (p = 0.04) and tended to have higher RRs (p = 0.06). Results of this study indicate that progesterone supplementation in resynchronization protocols has minimal effects on outcomes. Parity had an effect on the levels of circulating progesterone at initiation of the protocol, which in turn influenced the RR.     

Evaluating the performance of a soil compaction sensor

One of the most significant soil parameters affecting root growth is soil compaction. It is therefore important to be able to determine the presence of compacted layers, their depth, thickness and spatial location without the necessity of digging a large number of holes in the field with either a spade or backhoe. Previous investigations have identified soil compaction by different methods such as: using ground penetrating radar, acoustic systems, vertical and horizontal penetrometers and instrumented wings mounted on the faces of tines. Linking the output from these sensors to global positioning systems would give an indication of the spatial patent variation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a soil compaction profile sensor in both controlled laboratory and field conditions. The sensor consisted of a series of instrumented flaps; a flap is defined as the sensing element which comprises one half of a pointed leading edge to the leg of a tine to which strain gauges are placed on the rear face of the flap. Studies measured the effect of compaction on the changes in the soil resistance acting upon a flap face in a soil bin laboratory and under field conditions. The results indicated that the sensor was sensitive to differences in soil strength at different depths in soils. A technique was developed to identify the soil compaction resulting from different tyre inflation pressures and loads. The soil compaction profile sensor was tested on a number of fields in south‐eastern England to determine the changes in soil strength below the wheelings of a pea harvester operating at different tyre inflation pressures.     

Expression Analysis of RNA-Binding Motif Gene on Y Chromosome (RBMY) Protein Isoforms in Testis Tissue and a Testicular Germ Cell Cancer-Derived Cell Line (NT2)

Background: RNA-binding motif gene on Y chromosome (RBMY), a germ cell-specific nuclear protein, is known as a key factor in spermatogenesis and disorders associated with this protein have been recognized to be related to male infertility. Although it was suggested that this protein could have different functions during germ cell development, no studies have been conducted to uncover the mechanism of this potential function yet. Here, we analyzed the expression pattern of RBMY protein isoforms in testis compared to NT2, a testicular germ cell cancer-derived cell line, to test probability of differential expression of RBMY protein isoforms at different spermatogenesis stages. Methods: Full length and a segment of RBMY gene were cloned and expressed in E. coli. Anti-human RBMY antibody was produced in rabbit using the recombinant proteins as antigen. Western-blot and immunofluorescence were conducted for detection and comparison of RBMY protein isoforms. Results: Selected segment of RBMY protein resulted in producing a mono-specific antibody. As results shows, only the longest isoform of RBMY was expressed at protein level in NT2 cell line, while three isoforms of this protein were detected in the whole testis lysate. Conclusion: The results imply that different alternative splicing may happen in testis cells and probably difference of RBMY function during spermatogenesis is due to the differential expression of RBMY protein isoforms. These results and further experiments on RBMY isoforms can help to obtain a better understanding of the function of this protein, which may increase our knowledge about spermatogenesis and causes of male infertility. Key Words: Protein isoforms, Spermatogenesis, Male infertility