Changes in plasma testosterone levels and semen quality after 3 injections of a GnRH analogue in 3 dogs with spermatogenic dysfunction

Three male Beagles with low plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels and spermatogenic dysfunction (SD-dogs) were given 3 weekly subcutaneous injections of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (Buserelin; GnRH-AB). The plasma T level of all of the SD-dogs increased and peaked at 4-6 weeks after the first injection. The total number of sperm and the sperm motility of the three SD-dogs increased 5-7 weeks after the first injection. Therefore, the authors concluded that 3 weekly injections of GnRH-AB transiently improves semen quality in some cases of canine spermatogenic dysfunction.     

Effects of long-term oral administration of ketoprofen in clinically healthy beagle dogs

To investigate the adverse effects of long-term administration of ketoprofen in dogs, ketoprofen (1 mg/kg) was administered to five clinically healthy beagle dogs (ketoprofen group) and gelatin capsules (control group) were administered to four clinically healthy beagle dogs for 30 days. We monitored the dogs through periodic physical examination, blood analyses, endoscopic examinations, fecal occult blood tests, renal function tests, urinalysis, urinary enzyme indices and cuticle bleeding time analysis. The lesions in the stomach, especially in the pyloric antrum, and fecal occult blood progressively worsened in the ketoprofen group. However, the differences between the ketoprofen group and the control group were not statistically significant. One dog in the ketoprofen group temporarily exhibited a decrease in renal plasma flow and two dogs exhibited enzymuria. However, these changes did not persist and the other examinations showed no significant difference between premedication and postmedication in the ketoprofen group. Therefore, the adverse effects of long-term administration of ketoprofen observed in this study were not clinically important in healthy dogs. Nevertheless, further investigation of adverse renal effects from long-term administration of ketoprofen is necessary in the dogs with subclinical renal disease.     

Plasma steroid hormone concentrations and their relationships in Suffolk ewes during gestation and parturition

In this study, we measured plasma concentrations of progesterone, pregnenolone, estradiol, estrone, estrone sulfate, and cortisol and analyzed the correlations between these hormones during gestation in 13 Suffolk ewes, the main breed in Japan. Progesterone increased during gestation and decreased a few days before parturition; however, this pattern was different in samples with high progesterone concentrations (P4 spike samples). This P4 spike was associated with a high pregnenolone concentration. Apart from the P4 spike, the progesterone change was similar to that in other sheep breeds. Pregnenolone increased during gestation and decreased after parturition. A significant correlation between progesterone and pregnenolone was observed a few days before parturition. Estrone sulfate and estradiol concentrations increased during gestation, but estrone did not. They increased shortly before parturition, and then decreased immediately after parturition. At parturition, the correlation between estrone and estrone sulfate was significantly stronger. Moreover, a strong correlation between estrone sulfate and estradiol was observed after parturition. Cortisol did not change during gestation and increased shortly before parturition. The results showed steroid hormone dynamics in normal pregnant Suffolk ewes, which were mostly in line with those of other sheep breeds. It should be noted that high progesterone concentrations altered the typical patterns.     

新疆小麦地方品种籽粒硬度及其Puroindoline 基因等位变异研究

[目的]籽粒硬度是重要的小麦品质性状,了解新生疆小麦地方品种籽粒硬度的变异类型和分布,为新疆小麦品质育种提供遗传信息.[方法]利用单籽粒硬度仪(SKCS)和PCR扩增、酶切及DNA测序技术,结合改良的Friabilin提取及电泳分析方法,对105份新疆小麦地方品种的籽粒硬度及Pina和Pint等位基因进行研究.[结果]新疆小麦地方品种以硬质类型为主,平均硬度值为63.5.新疆小麦地方品种Puroindoline基因共有9种突变型,分别是Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1a,Pina-D1a/Pinb-Dlb,Pina-D1a/Pint-D1p,Pina-D1k ()/,Pina-D1l/Pinb-D1a,Pina-D1r/Pinb-D1a,Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1ab,Pina-D1a/Pint-Dlac和Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1p,其中Pina-D1 r/Pinb-D1a为新发现的突变型.新疆小麦地方品种Puroindoline基因型以Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1p为主导类型,共有62份,占59.1;;其Pina-D1k()/和Pina-D1 a/Pint-D1ab两种突变型与其地理来源和生态型密切相关,主要分布在南疆冬小麦中.Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1a(野生型)的硬度值显著低于突变型,Pina-Dlk()/的硬度值最高,但Pins-D1k ()/ ,Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1p和Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1ab的硬度值差异不显著.[结论]新疆小麦地方品种籽粒硬度及其Puroindoline等位变异和分布信息能为新疆小麦品质改良和引种提供理论依据.     

Discovery and structure optimization of a novel corn herbicide,tolpyralate

Tolpyralate, a new selective postemergence herbicide developed for the weed control in corn, possesses a unique chemical structure with a 1-alkoxyethyl methyl carbonate group on the N-ethyl pyrazole moiety. This compound shows high herbicidal activity against many weed species, including glyphosate-resistant Amaranthus tuberculatus. Tolpyralate targets 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD), which is involved in the tyrosine degradation pathway. Inhibition of the enzyme destroys the chlorophyll, thereby killing the susceptible weeds. Details of tolpyralate discovery, structure optimization, and biological activities are described.     

A trial of intrauterine insemination using a fiberscope in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

An intrauterine insemination technique using a fiberscope was investigated in the giant panda. A septal wall was present about 5 cm from the vulva, the external urethral orifice was present in the ventral region, and the entrance (pseudocervix) to the vagina was present in the dorsal region. The uterovaginal region protruded in the dorsal region about 15 cm from the pseudocervix. The external uterine orifice was present in the uterovaginal region, revealing that intrauterine insemination can be easily performed. This technique may greatly contribute to artificial reproduction of the giant panda.     

Treatment of prostatic abscesses by aspiration of the purulent matter and injection of tea tree oil into the cavities in dogs

Ultrasonography-guided transabdominal needle aspiration was carried out to remove 3 to 14 ml of purulent matter from the cavities of prostatic abscesses in 6 dogs, and the same volume of tea tree oil was injected into the cavities to treat the abscesses. The same treatment was repeated 3 weeks later in 4 dogs, and subsequent disappearance of the purulent matter in the cavities and a marked reduction in the volume of the cavities were observed. These findings indicate that the treatment of prostatic abscesses by aspiration of the purulent matter and injection of tea tree oil into the cavities is very effective in dogs.     

An insertion/deletion variant of a thymine base in exon 2 of the porcine beta 3‐adrenergic receptor gene associated with loin eye muscle area

An insertion/deletion variant of a thymine base (T5 and T6) in exon 2 of porcine beta 3‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) gene has been described. In the current study, we made an association study between the ADRB3 polymorphisms and production traits in 735 Duroc pigs. The allele frequencies for the T5 and T6 alleles in our study population were 0.433 and 0.567, respectively. Any associations between ADRB3 genotype and average daily weight gain during test period, or backfat thickness and intramuscular fat content were not detected in either sex. However the size of the loin eye muscle area (EMA) was significantly associated with ADRB3 genotypes in gilts. T6‐homozygous gilts had a higher mean of EMA (40.6 ± 0.6 cm²) than T5‐homozygous (38.1 ± 0.4 cm², P = 0.002) and heterozygous (38.8 ± 0.3 cm², P = 0.034) gilts. This association was not detected in males. In addition, a multiple traits animal model best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) analysis revealed that the T6‐homozygous genotype had positive effects on breeding value of EMA. Accordingly, we suggest that ADRB3 polymorphism has the potential to be an important genetic marker for prediction of EMA in Duroc pigs.     

Isolation and expression of genes for acetolactate synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in Echinochloa phyllopogon, a polyploid weed species

BACKGROUND: Target‐site resistance is the major cause of herbicide resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐ and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides in arable weeds, whereas non‐target‐site resistance is rarely reported. In the Echinochloa phyllopogon biotypes resistant to these herbicides, target‐site resistance has not been reported, and non‐target‐site resistance is assumed to be the basis for resistance. To explore why target‐site resistance had not occurred, the target‐site genes for these herbicides were isolated from E. phyllopogon, and their expression levels in a resistant biotype were determined. RESULTS: Two complete ALS genes and the carboxyltransferase domain of four ACCase genes were isolated. The expression levels of ALS and ACCase genes were higher in organs containing metabolically active meristems, except for ACC4, which was not expressed in any organ. The differential expression among examined organs was more prominent for ALS2 and ACC2 and less evident for ALS1, ACC1 and ACC3. CONCLUSION: E. phyllopogon has multiple copies of the ALS and ACCase genes, and different expression patterns were observed among the copies. The existence of three active ACCase genes and the difference in their relative expression levels could influence the occurrence of target‐site resistance to ACCase inhibitors in E. phyllopogon. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry