Resynchronization with the G6G protocol: A retrospective,observational study of second and later timed artificial inseminations on commercial dairy farms

We recorded conception rates and estimated pregnancy rates following second and later timed artificial inseminations (TAIs) after hormonal resynchronization on commercial dairy farms, using the so‐called G6G protocol (PGF day‐0; GnRH 2, 8 days; PGF 15, 16 days, GnRH 17 days; TAI 18 days), and the 5‐day Ovsynch protocol or 5DO (GnRH day 0; PGF 5, 6 days; GnRH 7 days; TAI 8 days). In four farms, both protocols were implemented in parallel, and these 1,368 s and later TAIs were used for the protocols’ comparison based on logistic regression (544 TAIs in primiparous; 824 in multiparous cows; 1,024 TAIs after G6G [600 TAIs in multiparous and 424 in primiparous]; 344 TAIs after 5DO [224 TAIs in multiparous and 120 in primiparous]; 280 TAIs during the hot season; 1,088 during the cool season). Conception rate (CR) was 31.7% ± 12.0% among all cows, 35.1% ± 10.7% among cows resynchronized with the G6G protocol and 21.8% ± 9.7% among cows resynchronized with the 5DO protocol (p < 0.0001). CR among all cows was lower during the hot season (19.3% ± 8.4%) than during the cool season (34.9% ± 10.6%; p < 0.0001), and similar seasonal results were observed with G6G protocols. Logistic regression showed significant effects on CR in second and later TAIs by protocol (OR = 0.514; 95% CI 0.385–0.686; p < 0.0001) and season (OR = 0.486; 95% CI 0.350–0.676; p < 0.0001). Parity did not influence CR after second and later TAIs (p > 0.1), and no interaction with season or resynchronization protocol was found. Estimated pregnancy rates based on these CR data from both hormonal protocols suggest that G6G can be effectively used for second and later TAIs and highlight the importance of considering protocol and season when designing strategies for second and later timed AIs on dairy farms.     

Residual effect after salmon oil supplementation on semen quality and serum levels of testosterone in dogs

The objective of present study was to evaluate the effects of oral supplementation of salmon oil on seminal parameters and testosterone serum levels in dogs, following also the residual effects for 60 days after treatment. Nine healthy male dogs with proven fertility, weighing between 10 and 36 kg, ageing from 2 to 11 years, of different breeds, fed diets supplemented with salmon oil at the manufacturer's recommended dosage. The parameters measured were sperm volume, motility, vigour, normal morphology and concentration, live/dead ratio, membrane viability by means of HOST test and serum testosterone levels. Evaluations occurred at baseline (D0), after 90 days of supplementation (D90) and at the end of the experiment, 60 days after supplementation cessation (D150). Results (mean ± SD) obtained at time D0, D90 and D150 were as follows: motility of 76.66% ± 13.7, 92.77 ± 4.41 and 93.0 ± 7.90 (p = .001); normal spermatozoa of 69.11% ± 24.90, 90.00% ± 5.15 and 80.66 ± 16.04 (p = .05); live/dead (%) from 64.44 ± 22.86 to 85.33 ± 8.41 (p = .001); and spermatozoa (%) with integral membrane in the membrane integrity (HOST) test ranging from 76.44 ± 20.74 to 91.22 ± 4.68 (p = .05). Serum levels of testosterone (ng/ml) increased from 5.50 ± 1.13 to 8.84 ± 1.13 at D90 (p = .003) and decreased after 2 months (D150) to 5.13 ± 1.13. In conclusion, a 90‐day supplementation with salmon oil had a positive influence on semen quality and serum testosterone levels. The supplementation of omegas 3 and 6 at the ratio of 10:1 for 90 days determined an increase in concentration and motility of the sperm, and these effects were maintained for 60 days, with the only exception of testosterone levels.     

Variation in concentrations of the fungicides tebuconazole and dichlofluanid following successive applications to greenhouse-grown lettuces

Residual levels and degradation rates of tebuconazole and dichlofluanid in lettuce plants grown in a greenhouse under agricultural conditions typical of northwestern Spain were studied. Lettuce plants were sprayed four times with a homogeneous 0.2% aqueous solution of Folicur Combi (wettable powder containing 40% dichlofluanid and 10% tebuconazole) at a rate of 2500 g/ha. Samples were collected 1, 5, and 9 days after the first two applications and at times ranging from 1 to 27 days after the last two applications. All samples were stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C. Fungicide levels were determined by solid-liquid extraction (SLE) followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection (GC-MSD). Recovery was good for tebuconazole (98%) but low for dichlofluanid (29%); precision was good (<10% for both analytes), and quantification limits were low (<1.5 mg/kg). Seven days after the last application, dichlofluanid levels were below the maximum allowed limit established in Spain (10 mg/kg), but tebuconazole levels were above the corresponding limit (5 mg/kg). Tebuconazole concentration dynamics was accurately fitted by zeroth- or combined first- and zeroth-order models (depending on variety), but modeling of the behavior of dichlofluanid was less satisfactory, probably due to its instability.     

Enhanced carnosic acid levels in two rosemary accessions exposed to cold stress conditions

Two rosemary accessions were subjected to chilling temperatures in control environmental cabins analyzing their variations in rosmarinic and carnosic acids together with their adaptability to these stress conditions. Cold stressed plants of both accessions showed increases in caffeic acid and carnosic acid concentration levels, while other secondary metabolites such as rosmarinic acid, naringin, cirsimaritin, hispidulin, and carnosol showed different responses in both accessions. In addition, cold stressed plants exhibited significant reductions in chlorophylls, beta-carotene, and violaxanthin levels as well as the maximum quantum yield of PSII in both accessions. Hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels showed similar responses in both accessions, which were positively and negatively correlated with rosmarinic and carnosic acids. From these results it is therefore suggested that carnosic acid biosynthesis in rosemary plants is induced by chilling periods. On the other hand, we demonstrate that not all rosemary accessions are equally well adapted to chilling temperatures. In fact, for (one) accession cold treated plants severe losses in chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and even xanthophylls (including zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin) were observed, despite no visual symptoms of leaf injury. More research is needed to understand rosmarinic acid variations in rosemary plants under stress conditions.     

Evaluation of serum haptoglobin and C‐reactive protein in dogs with mammary tumors

Background: In veterinary medicine, there is increasing interest in measuring acute phase proteins as a tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of neoplastic diseases. Although mammary neoplasms are the most common type of cancer in dogs, acute phase proteins have not been extensively evaluated in dogs with mammary tumors. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum haptoglobin (Hp) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in the dogs with mammary tumors and assess their potential association with malignancy. Methods: A retrospective study of dogs with mammary tumors was performed. Serum concentrations of CRP and Hp were determined in healthy control dogs (n=20) and dogs with mammary tumors before surgery (n=41). Mammary tumors were grouped as carcinomas (n=24), fibrosarcoma (n=1), malignant mixed tumors (n=7), benign mixed tumors (n=6), and adenomas (n=3). CRP and Hp concentrations were compared in dogs with different tumor types and were also compared based on tumor size, lymph node infiltration, skin ulceration, fixation to underlying tissue, and time between tumor identification and removal. Results: Hp concentration was significantly (P<.043) higher in dogs with mammary tumors (median 2.03 g/L, range 0.09–2.94 g/L) compared with controls (1.38 g/L, range 0.08–3.00 g/L), but the range of values overlapped considerably. CRP concentration was higher in dogs with carcinomas (4.70 mg/L, range 0.63–128.96 mg/L) vs controls (2.11 mg/L, range 0.25–6.57 mg/L) (P=.0008) and in dogs with ulcerated skin (14.8 mg/L, range 5.7–128.9 mg/L, n=3) compared with those without ulceration (2.4 mg/L, range 0.11–30.3 mg/L, n=38) (P=.048). Conclusions: Serum Hp and CRP do not appear to have value in diagnosing or predicting malignancy of mammary tumors in dogs. Higher CRP concentrations in dogs with mammary carcinoma suggest a role for inflammation in this tumor type.     

Stocktake study of current fertilisation recommendations across Europe and discussion towards a more harmonised approach

The European Commission has set targets for a reduction in nutrient losses by at least 50% and a reduction in fertiliser use by at least 20% by 2030 while ensuring no deterioration in soil fertility. Within the mandate of the European Joint Programme EJP Soil ‘Towards climate-smart sustainable management of agricultural soils’, the objective of this study was to assess current fertilisation practices across Europe and discuss the potential for harmonisation of fertilisation methodologies as a strategy to reduce nutrient loss and overall fertiliser use. A stocktake study of current methods of delivering fertilisation advice took place across 23 European countries. The stocktake was in the form of a questionnaire, comprising 46 questions. Information was gathered on a large range of factors, including soil analysis methods, along with soil, crop and climatic factors taken into consideration within fertilisation calculations. The questionnaire was completed by experts, who are involved in compiling fertilisation recommendations within their country. Substantial differences exist in the content, format and delivery of fertilisation guidelines across Europe. The barriers, constraints and potential benefits of a harmonised approach to fertilisation across Europe are discussed. The general consensus from all participating countries was that harmonisation of fertilisation guidelines should be increased, but it was unclear in what format this could be achieved. Shared learning in the delivery and format of fertilisation guidelines and mechanisms to adhere to environmental legislation were viewed as being beneficial. However, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to harmonise all soil test data and fertilisation methodologies at EU level due to diverse soil types and agro-ecosystem influences. Nevertheless, increased future collaboration, especially between neighbouring countries within the same environmental zone, was seen as potentially very beneficial. This study is unique in providing current detail on fertilisation practices across European countries in a side-by-side comparison. The gathered data can provide a baseline for the development of scientifically based EU policy targets for nutrient loss and soil fertility evaluation.     

Boron fertilization enhances photosynthesis and water use efficiency in soybean at vegetative growth stage

Abstract

Influence of boron (B) on photosynthesis and water use has not sufficiently been evaluated in soybean despite its worldwide importance as a crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of B application on photosynthesis and water use in soybean at vegetative growth stage. A pot experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. M8644 IPRO] was grown in a clayey Oxisol previously fertilized with 4 B rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0?mg dm^?3). Net photosynthesis rate (P_n), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g_s) were measured in the second trifoliate leaf of plants at the V4 growth stage. Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEis = P_n/E) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEic = P_n/g_s) were calculated. B application to soil increased all these variables. The most consistent increases were in P_n, WUEis, and WUEic. The critical level of hot water extractable B in soil that maximized photosynthesis and optimized water use by soybean at vegetative growth stage was calculated to be 0.38?mg dm^?3.     

Role of commercial sanitizers and washing systems on epiphytic microorganisms and sensory quality of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce

Increasing concerns about the possible formation of carcinogenic compounds and the emergence of new, more tolerant pathogens, have raised questions on the use of chlorine in fresh-cut produce. There is a growing need to investigate the efficacy of new commercial sanitizing and other alternative technologies. In the present study, the effectiveness of chlorine and other commercial sanitizer agents (Sanova, Sanoxol 20, Tsunami 100, Purac FCC 80, Citrox 14W and Catallix) was evaluated on epiphytic microorganisms and their influence on the sensory quality of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce. Different sanitizer concentrations (manufacturer's recommended dose and half of this dose) and application systems (submersion and spray) were also compared. The antimicrobial efficacy of the treatments was evaluated, initially after washing, and after 8 days of storage simulating a commercial shelf-life (3 days at 4 °C + 5 days at 8 °C). All the tested washing solutions were more effective in reducing the microbial load than water washes, particularly in fresh-cut escarole. However, the microbial load of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce after 8 days of storage was very similar for most of the treatments despite the different application systems and concentrations of the sanitizers. Clearly epiphytic microorganisms of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce were able to grow rapidly during storage under low temperature, reaching similar or higher values than the unwashed fresh-cut produce at the day of production. The overall visual quality of fresh-cut salad leaves was scored as good or very good (≥6) after 8 days of storage, except for the product washed with Purac. Thus, despite the high number of mesophilic bacteria present in the product, between 6 and 8 log cfu g⁻¹, it was not associated with a detrimental quality. Therefore, the determination of the initial epiphytic reductions of fresh-cut products after washing with different sanitizing agents provides little information about the microbial or sensory quality of the product at the time of consumption.