Cross comparison of seminal plasma proteins from cattle and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was to evaluate seminal plasma proteins from cattle and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), to identify differences between related species. Sixteen buffaloes and 16 cattle between 30 and 60 months of age were used. Semen collection was performed by electroejaculation, followed by macroscopic and microscopic subjective analyses. After analysis, the samples were centrifuged at 800 g for 10 min, and the supernatant (seminal plasma) was recentrifuged at 10,000 g for 30 min at 4°C. The total protein concentration was determined by the Bradford method, and the proteins were digested in solution for mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS). Multivariate statistical analysis was used to evaluate the proteomics results by non-hierarchical clustering the considering exponentially modified protein abundance index (emPAI). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used for clustering. Proteomics identified 78 proteins, and multivariate analysis showed 4 that were over-expressed in buffaloes (cystatin C, prosaposin, peptide YY and keratin type II cytoskeletal 5) and 9 in cattle (spermadhesin-1, seminal plasma protein PDC-109, ribonuclease 4, metalloproteinase inhibitor 2, acrosin inhibitor 1, seminal ribonuclease, C-type natriuretic peptide, angiogenin-1 and osteopontin). Among the proteins identified in seminal plasma, the C-type natriuretic peptide and metalloproteinase inhibitors were described for the first time in buffaloes. Some protease inhibitors were found over-expressed in buffaloes, and important proteins in seminal plasma of cattle were not identified or were found at lower expression levels in buffaloes, which can contribute to reproductive performance in this species.     

Radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) axial and appendicular skeleton

Cockatiels are popular pets. Still, despite medical and surgical relevance, the radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) skeleton, like that of different wild and exotic bird species, has seldom been described. This study set out to describe the radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel skeleton. Twelve adult male and nine adult female specimens were radiographed using a digital X-ray system and different views. The radiographic anatomy of these birds was similar to that of other Psittacidae. However, some particularities inherent to the target species were detected, such as the presence of four flexion zones in the skull (craniofacial, nasal, jugal arch and palatine), complete bony orbit comprising a suborbital arch, 34–38 vertebrae (10 or 11 cervical, 8 or 9 thoracic, 9 or 10 lumbosacral, 5 or 6 caudal vertebrae and a pygostyle comprising 2 fused vertebrae), eight or nine pairs of ribs and a notarium made up of fused T2–T6 vertebrae. Poor radiopacity of the notarium, ribs and respective uncinate processes, and synsacral vertebrae made demarcation of these structures difficult. The appendicular skeleton of the cockatiel was very similar to that of other Psittacidae, and there were no gender-related differences.     

Nutritional standards and nutritional diagnosis of the Conilon coffee plants in phenological growth stages

The objective of this study was to establish a nutrient sufficiency range and DRIS standards of Conilon coffee grown in southern Bahia, Brazil for the pre-flowering and grain-filling stages and to perform a nutritional diagnosis of these plants using different methods. The collections were performed in 24 Conilon coffee farm fields to establish the leaf nutritional standards, and 278 samples were collected to the nutritional diagnosis. The nutritional diagnosis was performed by using the sufficiency range criterion and the DRIS method. The nutrient sufficiency range and the DRIS standards must be specific to each phenological stage of the Conilon coffee plants. The leaf concentrations of calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and boron (B) were higher in the pre-flowering stage; and the leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were higher in the grain-filling stage.     

Biofortification of soybean grains with foliar application of Li sources

Abstract

Biofortification of soybean grains with lithium (Li) is a strategy to improve a food with high social acceptance, in order to promote health benefits. The aim of this work was to evaluate the development of plants and the production of biofortified soybeans with two Li sources. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replicates. Ten treatments were obtained in a 2x5 factorial scheme, comprising two sources of Li (LiOH - Li hydroxide and Li₂SO₄ - Li sulfate) and five doses (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120?mg kg^?1) in stages V4 and R1. The supply of Li promoted significant effects (p?≤?0.05) on the morphology, yield components and nutritional status of soybean plants. The highest grain yield was obtained with the use of Li₂SO₄ at the estimated dose of 45.7?mg kg^?1. The plants accumulated Li between 8.00 and 11.20?mg kg ^?1, respectively, with the use of Li₂SO₄ and LiOH. In the grains, the highest concentrations of Li were obtained with the application of 120?mg kg^?1. Li₂SO₄ and LiOH are good sources for biofortification of soybean grains.     

Efficacy of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) as a biocontrol agent of the red palm mite Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Phytoparasitica - The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), is a severe pest of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), banana (Musa sp.), and some ornamental palms. The predatory mite...     

Evaluation of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Alpinia zerumbet essential oils as biopesticides against Callosobruchus maculatus

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - This study aimed to investigate the effects of the essential oils of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Alpinia zerumbet in the treatment of cowpea [Vigna...     

Geno-phenotypic diversity in a natural population of Hancornia speciosa Gomes: implications for conservation and improvement

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Hancornia speciosa Gomes is native tree to South America, and its fruits are a source of income for communities and the food industry. The reduction of...     

Title: priority areas for genetic conservation of Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish in Brazil

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish, commonly known as candeia, is a threatened tree species that occurs in Seasonal Semideciduous Forests in Brazil. The...     

A meta-analytic review of monoterpene for fish anaesthesia

The use of anaesthetic agents has been increasing to address the welfare needs of different fish species in scientific and aquaculture practices. MS-222 is the most used synthetic anaesthetic but some limitations and side effects have been reported. Natural substances have been used as potential substitutes with clove oil playing an important role due to its eugenol content. Yet, other monoterpenes have shown anaesthetic properties in different fish species. As such, a quantitative assessment has been conducted to explicitly relate and summarise the use of monoterpenes with described anaesthetic properties in fish. A combined PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed Central and Europe PMC electronic database search was performed, from January 2002 to August 2022, following the PRISMA guidelines. Out of 1555 articles retrieved from the literature search, 30 English reports met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis through a generic inverse-variance method (random-effects model) and according to the fish age. The findings show a total of 10 different monoterpenes with high homogeneity and effectiveness in inducing anaesthesia and recovery according to the fish anaesthetic criteria. Further subgroup analysis showed these effects were independent of fish age. Meta-regression of the included studies revealed an inverse linear association between anaesthesia induction and recovery time and water bath temperature while no further correlation was found with other confounding factors (body weight, water pH and dissolved oxygen levels). Although further studies will be required, this meta-analysis provides robust evidence that different monoterpenes serve as an attractive and effective alternative for fish anaesthesia although water bath temperature also played an important role in anaesthesia outcome.     

Inheritance of the stay-green trait in tropical maize

Stay-green maize genotypes have been associated with tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, including tolerance to drought, and to stalk and root lodging, but there is limited information on its inheritance. Thus, this research was conducted to study the inheritance of the stay-green trait using both conventional analysis and QTL mapping of the Design III in a tropical maize population developed from two inbred lines genetically divergent for this trait. Two-hundred and fifty F₂ plants were genotyped with 177 microsatellite markers, and their backcrossed progenies to both parental inbreds were evaluated at three locations. Ten plants per plot were assessed 120 days after sowing and the plot means scores for stay-green, adjusted for days to silking emergence, were used for analysis. The additive variance was larger than the dominance variance, the genetic by location interaction variance presented a high magnitude, and the heritability coefficient on a plant-basis a low magnitude. Seventeen QTL were mapped, most of them were clustered on four chromosomes and accounted for by 73.08 % of the genetic variance. About half of the QTL interacted with location, and the average level of dominance was partial dominance. The additive effects were larger than the dominance effects; the latter were not unidirectional, so that heterosis could not be exploited in crosses. Procedures for marker-assisted selection to increase the level of stay-green are discussed and an approach is suggested for using both stable and non-stable QTL in a marker-assisted backcross program.