Stage‐specific effects of osmolarity of a culture medium on development of pig oocytes and miniature pig somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos activated by ultrasound treatment

Whether high osmolarity of a culture medium at the early culture stage affects the development of pig oocytes and miniature pig somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos activated by ultrasound was examined. When oocytes were cultured in modified porcine zygote medium‐3 (mPZM‐3) with increased NaCl to 138 mmol/L (mPZM‐3+NaCl; 326 mOsm) or 50 mmol/L sucrose (mPZM‐3+sucrose; 318 mOsm) for the first 2 days and then cultured in normal mPZM‐3 (273 mOsm) for 5 days, the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of oocytes cultured in mPZM‐3 for 7 days. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates of SCNT embryos cultured in mPZM‐3+NaCl for the first 2 days and then cultured in mPZM‐3 for 5 days were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of embryos cultured in mPZM‐3 for 7 days. These results showed that the high osmolarity of a culture medium induced by increasing NaCl concentration during the first 2 days improves the development of pig oocytes and miniature pig SCNT embryos activated by ultrasound.     

Therapeutic and adverse effects of flunixin-meglumine in adult and young cats

In this study, we elucidated the difference in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sensitivities between young and adult cats on therapeutic and adverse effects. In the prevention of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hyperthermia using flunixin-meglumine, young (<3 months old) and adult (>12 months old) cats of both sexes were given LPS (0.3 μg/kg, i.v.), and body temperature was measured 24 hr later. Flunixin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered 30 min before the LPS injection. LPS-induced hyperthermia was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with flunixin in both adult and young cats. In addition, flunixin showed almost the same antipyretic effects in both young and adult cats. The animals were administered flunixin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) once a day for 3 days, and sacrificed 24 hr later to examine the gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. In adult cats, flunixin caused many severe lesions in the small intestine. In contrast, very few gastrointestinal lesions were produced by flunixin in young cats. In the pharmacokinetics of flunixin, plasma concentrations of flunixin were analysed using a high performance liquid chromatography. There were no significant differences in plasma concentration of flunixin between young and adult cats from 0.5 to 4 hr after the injection. These results demonstrated that NSAIDs could be used more safely in young than in adult cats from the points of gastrointestinal adverse effects. Furthermore, this difference in gastrointestinal lesions between adult and young cats was not related with the plasma concentration of flunixin.     

Basal levels and GnRH-induced responses of peripheral testosterone and estrogen in Holstein bulls with poor semen quality

The present study investigated the basal levels and GnRH-induced responses of peripheral testosterone and estrogen in Holstein bulls with poor semen quality. On the basis of semen parameters, bulls (n=5) having poor semen quality were selected as experimental bulls, and good semen quality bulls (n=4) were used as control bulls. Both groups were treated intramuscularly once with GnRH (250 μg of fertirelin acetate). Blood samples were collected at -1 day (d), -30 min and 0 h (treatment) followed by every 30 min for 5 h and 1, 3 and 5 d post-GnRH treatment (PGT), and LH, testosterone and estradiol-17β (E(2)) concentrations were measured. The pretreatment concentrations were used as basal levels. The percentage increments based on the 0-h levels were calculated per bull for each sampling time until 5 h PGT, and differences were compared between the experimental and control groups. The PGT concentrations of testosterone and basal and PGT concentrations of E(2) were significantly lower in the experimental group. The testosterone increment in the experimental group was delayed and significantly lower from 1 to 5 h PGT than those in the control group. It can be suggested that bulls with poor semen quality have delayed and lower GnRH-induced testosterone response and may also have lower estrogen levels.     

Photodynamic detection of a canine glioblastoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid

Photodynamic detection using 5-aminolevulinic acid has been used to identify the surgical margins during resection of human primary brain tumours. Although there are some reports on its use in malignant tumours in veterinary medicine, it has never been used for primary brain tumours. Here we describe a canine glioblastoma that was detected at autopsy with protoporphyrin IX fluorescence induced by orally administered 5-aminolevulinic acid. The fluorescence was strongest towards the centre of the lesion and was absent in normal brain tissue. Moreover, the fluorescence findings were consistent with MRI and histopathological findings. Our findings suggest that photodynamic detection using 5-aminolevulinic acid might be useful for intraoperative fluorescence-guided resection of malignant gliomas in dogs.     

Soybean preference for Bradyrhizobium japonicum for nodulation

For examining the probability of increase in the occupation ratio of inoculated rhizobium in nodules, various Rj-soybean cultivars including the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-lines of soybean were grown in a field of the Kyushu University Farm. Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 that carries uptake hydrogenase (Hup⁺) was used as an inoculum. The relative efficiency of nitrogen fixation generally increased by the inoculation. However, there were no significant differences in the effects among the genotypes of the host plants. The occupation ratio of serogroup USDA110 in the nodules on the taproot of the inoculated plants was in the range of 77–100%, suggesting that the B. japonicum strain USDA110 infected taproots immediately after inoculation. The occupation ratios in the nodules on the lateral roots were 53–67, 40–86, 63–83, and 62–77% in inoculated plants of the non-Rj-, Rj ₂ Rj ₃-, Rj ₄-, and Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes, respectively, and they decreased in all the genotypes with the progression of growth. At the time of the first sampling, the occupation ratios on the lateral roots of these Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes showed values intermediate between those of IAC-2 (Rj ₂ Rj ₃) and Hill (Rj ₄) , which were the parent cultivars of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-lines, B340, B349, and C242. The reduction in the occupation ratio of the serogroup USDA110 for about 1 month after the first sampling was the lowest (0.13–0.16) in the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes, excluding B349, followed by the non-Rj- and Rj ₂ Rj ₃-genotypes and highest (0.52–0.69) in the Rj ₄-genotypes, excluding Hill. Therefore, it was considered that the population of compatible rhizobia with host soybean plants increased in the rhizosphere with the progression of the development and growth. The results showed that with the expansion of the root area of host plants, the occupation ratio of type A rhizobia including the serogroup USDA110 was high. Therefore, the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes were superior to other Rj-genotypes in terms of the inoculation effects of nodulation type A rhizobium, B. japonicum USDA110. However, the preference of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotype for serogroup USDA110 is not sufficient to rule out the competition with the other serogroups in this study. Therefore, the study should be centered on the isolation of more efficient (Hup⁺) and highly compatible rhizobial strains with the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄- genotypes.     

Wood density and carbon and nitrogen concentrations in deadwood of Chamaecyparis obtusa and Cryptomeria japonica

Estimating carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks in deadwood in forests nationwide is required for understanding large-scale C and N cycling. To do so requires estimated values of wood density and C and N concentrations. Additionally, parameters that show variation should be examined. In this study, we clarified the estimated values and the variation in three parameters in each decay class of each of two tree species and examined whether dead log diameter and region contribute to variation in the parameters. Data were collected from 73 Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. plantations and 66 Cryptomeria japonica D. Don plantations throughout Japan. Wood densities decreased from 386 to 188?kg?m^?3 for C. obtusa and from 334 to 188?kg?m^?3 for C. japonica in decay classes 1–4. The variation in wood density increased with decay class, and the coefficient of variance increased from 13.9% to 46.4% for C. obtusa and from 15.2% to 48.1% for C. japonica. The N concentrations increased from 1.04 to 4.40?g?kg^?1 for C. obtusa and from 1.11 to 2.97?g?kg^?1 for C. japonica in decay classes 1–4. The variation in N concentration increased with decay class, and the coefficient of variance increased from 51.9% to 76.7% for C. obtusa and from 50.3% to 70.4% for C. japonica. Log diameter and region contributed to variations in wood density and N concentration in decay classes 1 and 2 for C. obtusa and C. japonica. However, no relationship was observed between regional climates and the two parameters. In contrast, C concentrations ranged from 507 to 535?g?kg^?1 and were stable with much lower coefficients of variance throughout the decay classes for both tree species. Thus, we recommend that the same C concentration can be adapted for all decay classes of both tree species.     

Physiological role of potassium in the carbohydrate metabolism of plants (part II)

Potassium is a macronutrient still shrouded in mystery despite considerable effort to elucidate its role in the plant growth. Many investigators have demonstrated that a high carbohydrate content in the plant is associated with a love potassium content. Among them, WALL showed using tomato plants that this high carbohydrate content in plants with love potassium characterized the first stage of potassium deficiency (1).     

A next-generation-sequencing approach to diagnose viral diseases of greenhouse ranunculus

Journal of General Plant Pathology - Viruses that infect Ranunculus asiaticus L., a globally important greenhouse ornamental, have consistently caused serious damage in Japan. We coupled...     

引种日本落叶松原生种源及优树半同胞家系苗期试验初报

引种日本落叶松原生种源及优树半同胞家系苗期试验研究结果表明：原生种源问高生长具有明显差异,确定松本、伊那、日光为优良种源;家系间的高生长也具有明显差异,确定县诹访１号等２０个家系为优良家系;原生种源的遗传变异幅度极大,具有相当的遗传改良潜力和遗传资源保存价值。     

Effect of catechins on mutagenesis of Salmonella typhimurium TA 102 elicited by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH)

Green tea, one of the most popular beverages consumed in Asian countries, has been reported to possess anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties. The aim in this study is to test the radical scavenging effect of catechins and caffeine, which were major components of green tea, and if they really prevent oxygen radical-induced mutagenesis. We used TA102 strain of Salmonella typhimurium which is sensitive to hydroxyl radical in the Ames mutation assay. We found that caffeine did not show any effects on mutagenesis in this system, but catechin significantly reduced mutagenesis or genotoxicity caused by hydroxyl radical. This radical-scavenging action of catechins may indeed contribute to the anticarcinogenic activity of green tea as has been proposed.