Prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle in the Southwestern Iran and detection of cutoff point for NEFA and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis

Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is simply a condition marked by increased levels of circulating ketone bodies without the presence of the clinical signs of ketosis. Subclinical ketosis can cause economic losses through decreased milk production and association with preparturient diseases. Limited information is available regarding the prevalence of SCK in dairy herds in Southwestern Iran. The objectives of this study were (i) determination of the cutoff point of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and glucose concentrations for diagnosis of SCK using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and (ii) determination of prevalence of subclinical ketosis in apparently healthy dairy cattle in Southwestern Iran. From October to December 2009, a total of 100 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows (3-8 years old) were randomly selected from 16 dairy herds around Kazerun, Fars Province, Iran. The cows had two-six lactations, with body weight ranging from 500 to 650 kg. Blood samples for each cow were taken at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition and 3-4h after the morning feeding. The optimal cutoff point was set, by the ROC method, to >0.26 mmol/L for NEFA, and < 2.26 mmol/L for glucose with corresponding 82.54% sensitivity and 91.89% specificity for NEFA and 44.44% sensitivity and 78.38% specificity for glucose. Cows with BHB concentrations higher than 1200 μmol/L were classified as having SCK. In 2, 4 and 6 weeks post parturition 63%, 68% and 59% of the tested cows were subclinically ketotic. Overall, 97% of tested cows (97/100) were considered subclinically ketotic in at least one sample period. Thirty percent of tested cows (30/100) suffered from subclinical ketosis in all of the 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. The results suggest that, a cut-off point of 0.26 mmol/L for NEFA concentrations can be used during early lactation for diagnosis of subclinical ketosis and making management decisions for prevention and treatment. Glucose cannot be a good criterion for diagnosis of SCK and it does not appear to be useful for monitoring subclinical ketosis.     

EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE CAN ALLEVIATE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON SUNFLOWER

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine whether foliarly applied potassium + phosphorus (K + P) in the form of monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) could mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress on sunflower plants. There were two levels of root-applied salt [0 and 150 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)], and varying levels of KH₂PO₄ [(NS (no spray), WS (spray of water), 5 + 4, 10 + 8, 15 + 12, and 20 + 16 mg g^?1 K + P, pH 6.5] applied foliarly to 18-day old non-stressed and salt stressed sunflower plants. Salt stress adversely affected the growth, yield, photosynthetic capacity, and accumulation of mineral nutrients in the sunflower plants. However, varying levels of foliar applied KH₂PO₄ proved to be effective in improving growth and yield of sunflower under salt stress. The KH₂PO₄ induced growth in sunflower was found to be associated with enhanced photosynthetic capacity, water use efficiency and relative water contents.     

Osteopontin gene polymorphism association with milk traits and its expression analysis in milk of riverine buffalo

Osteopontin gene is regarded as a plausible candidate in mammary gland differentiation and development, expressed by variety of cells, tissues, and biological fluids including milk. The current study was performed in two phases. In the first phase, Osteopontin gene polymorphisms were identified and associated with milk composition such as ash, milk fat, SNF, lactose, and protein. In the second phase, milk samples from five healthy mastitis-free Nili Ravi buffaloes were analyzed for expression of Osteopontin gene at transition (day 15), mid (day 90), and end (day 250) stage of their second lactation. Briefly, blood samples were collected from Nili Ravi buffalo to isolate the genomic DNA, specific primers were designed for PCR amplification. The amplified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Six polymorphisms were identified in the coding region and four in the intronic region of the gene. The results showed that SNP g.38329758 T > C causing substitution of valine to alanine (V127A) was associated with high milk protein. For mRNA expression analysis, somatic cells were separated from milk samples for RNA isolation. Analysis of differential gene expression data has permitted us to illustrate the expression pattern of osteopontin gene in lactating buffalo. The Osteopontin gene was found to be transcribed among all three lactation stages, but expression was observed with the highest value (fold change) in peak lactation and remained elevated till the end of lactation. Identified gene marker may be helpful for the prediction of superior animal for selection. The presented study also gave an insight into the genetic screening and lactation biology of riverine buffalo, offering direction for future research in lactating buffalo.     

Evaluation of photosynthesis,physiological, and biochemical responses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. Pirouz) under water deficit stress and use of vermicompost fertilizer

One goal in the face of drought stress conditions is to increase growth and yield through the reduction of negative effects of stress. Vermicompost can play an effective role in plant growth and development and in reducing harmful effects of various environmental stresses on plants due to its porous structure, high water storage capacity, having hormone-like substances, plant growth regulators, and high levels of macro and micro nutrients. This study considered the physiological, biochemical, and photosynthetic responses of the chickpea to different combinations of vermicompost and water stress in a greenhouse environment. Two factors were involved, addition of vermicompost to soil at four ratios: control (100 wt% (weight percentage) soil); 10 wt% vermicompost+90% soil; 20 wt% vermicompost+80 wt% soil; 30 wt% vermicompost+70 wt% soil weight percentage, and treatment of water stress at three levels including 75, 50, and 25% of field capacity. The results showed that vermicompost had a significant effect on all traits under stress and non-stress conditions. Application of vermicompost in soil, especially at the levels of 20 and 30 wt% significantly increased all studied traits under non-stress conditions. Under moderate stress conditions, vermicompost at 30 wt% treatment resulted in a significant increase in the photosynthetic pigments, CO₂ assimilation rate, internal leaf CO₂ concentration, transpiration, the maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F_v/F_m), concentrations of Ca and K in root and leaf tissues, proline and soluble protein contents in root tissues. Peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities decreased significantly with increasing proportions of vermicompost, but the activity of superoxide dismutase was not significantly different. In conclusion, the above results showed that vermicompost fertilizer had a positive effect on physiological, biochemical, and photosynthetic responses of chickpea under non-stress and moderate stress conditions, but no positive effect was determined under severe water stress.     

A comparative study to evaluate efficiency of EDTA and calcium in alleviating arsenic toxicity to germinating and young <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L. seedlings

Purpose

This study delineated the effect of calcium (Ca) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) addition on arsenic (As) accumulation and physiological attributes of Vicia faba L.

Materials and methods

Two separate experiments were performed. In the first experiment, V. faba seedlings, grown under hydroponic conditions, were exposed to three levels of As (25, 125 and 250 μM) in the presence and absence of three levels of EDTA (25, 125, 250 μM) and calcium (CaCl₂: 1, 5 and 10 mM). The effect of EDTA and Ca on As accumulation and physiological attributes of V. faba was assessed by determining As contents in roots and shoot, chlorophyll contents, H₂O₂ contents, and lipid peroxidation in young and old leaves. In the second experiment, V. faba seeds were grown in As-contaminated sand culture using the same treatment plan.

Results and discussion

The accumulation and toxicity of As to V. faba plants increased with increasing As levels in nutrient solution. Arsenic exposure enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both roots and leaves, which resulted in lipid peroxidation and decreased chlorophyll contents. The presence of both EDTA and Ca, in general, significantly decreased As accumulation by V. faba seedlings, Ca being more effective than EDTA. Both the amendments decreased As-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation. In the case of chlorophyll contents, EDTA significantly decreased chlorophyll contents, while Ca significantly increased chlorophyll contents compared to As. The effect of all the treatments was more pronounced in roots than leaves and in young leaves compared to old leaves.

Conclusions

It is proposed that EDTA and Ca greatly affect As accumulation and toxicity to V. faba, and the effect varies greatly with their applied levels as well as type and age of plant organs. The germinating seedlings of V. faba may be preferred for risk assessment studies, while transplanting 1-week-old V. faba seedlings to As-contaminated soils can decrease its toxicity.

     

Bluetongue virus seropositivity in sheep flocks in North West Frontier Province, Pakistan

The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence and distribution of serum antibodies to Bluetongue virus (BTV) in a sample of 38 sheep flocks in northern areas of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan and to identify demographic and productivity variables that are associated with BTV seropositivity. Blood samples were taken from a random sample of ewes in each flock in April 1995. The owners of the flocks were interviewed regarding some demographic, husbandry and productivity variables of the flocks on the day of blood sampling. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to test the serum samples for BTV group-specific antibodies. BTV seropositive reactions were obtained in 184 (48.4%) out of 380 tested sera, and in 89.5% (34/38) of the flocks. In the 34 seropositive flocks, the prevalences ranged from 12.5 to 100% (median = 47). A multivariable logistic analysis was carried out to study the influence of demographic and productivity variables on the BTV serological status of the sheep flocks. Abortion risk in the previous lambing season was mildly associated with the serological status of the flock (adjusted odds ratio = 1.16, P = 0.07). For the seropositive flocks, a linear multiple regression showed that distance travelled by the flock during transhumant movement was significantly associated with percent seropositivity (partial regression coefficient (± SE) = − 0.091 ± 0.045).     

Antibacterial activity of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds.

The methanol extract and four triterpenoids isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia bonducella showed a wide range of inhibiting activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.     

Study on Fruitset and Pollen-Compatibility Status in Sweet Cherry (Prunus avuim L.) Cultivars

Prunus avium L. is one of the most important temperate zone fruits in the world. Most of the cherry cultivars always have difficulties of fertilization and fruit set due to self-incompatibility, so they need suitable and compatible pollinizers for commercial fruit production. In this experiment, pollination compatibility of cherry cultivars of ‘Napoleon’, ‘Burlat’, ‘Zhan’, and ‘Lambert’ was studied as both pollen recipients and donors. To determine the compatibility or incompatibility of pollinizers, percent of fruit set was calculated. This research was carried out as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design. The final average fruit set in studied cultivars was different under self or cross-pollination. The results showed that ‘Napoleon’, ‘Zhan’ and ‘Lambert’ cultivars are the suitable pollinizers for ‘Burlat’. Also, ‘Burlat’ is a cultivar which produced many fruits under self-pollination. Therefore, ‘Burlat’ can be used as monoculture for orchard establishment. Results showed that cultivar ‘Napoleon’ was cross-incompatible with ‘Lambert’. ‘Zhan’, ‘Napoleon’ and ‘Lambert’ cultivars are founded self-incompatible and require cross-pollinations to obtain fruits.