Involvement of PAPP‐A and IGFR1 in Cystic Ovarian Disease in Cattle

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the main causes of infertility in dairy cattle. It has been shown that intra‐ovarian factors, such as members of the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system, may contribute to follicular persistence. The bioavailability of IGF to initiate its response by binding to specific receptors (IGFRs) depends on interactions with related compounds, such as pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A). The aim of this study was to determine IGFR1 and PAPP‐A expression both in follicles at different stages of development and in cysts, to evaluate the roles in the etiopathogenesis of COD in cattle. The mRNA expression of PAPP‐A was higher in granulosa cells of large tertiary follicles than in cysts, whereas the protein PAPP‐A present in the follicular fluid from these follicles showed no differences. Although no PAPP‐A mRNA expression was detected in smaller tertiary follicles, in their follicular fluid, this protease was detected in lesser concentration than in cysts. The mRNA expression of IGFR1 was lower in granulosa cells from cystic follicles than in those from tertiary ones. However, the protein expression of this receptor presented the highest levels in cystic structures, probably to increase the possibility of IGF response. The data obtained would indicate that animals with COD have an altered regulation of the IGF system in the ovary, which could be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease in cattle.     

Compressive Strength of Wheat Endosperm: Analysis of Endosperm Bricks

The material properties of wheat grain endosperm are central to its processing and end‐use quality. The preparation of geometrically‐defined endosperm specimens free of bran, germ, and pigment strand can facilitate the objective study of endosperm material properties. This study was conducted to characterize the material properties of wheat endosperm from two soft, two hard, and one durum wheat varietal samples. Additionally, each varietal sample was sorted according to vitreous or mealy kernel type. Endosperm ‘bricks’ approximately 0.76 × 2.08 × 1.06 mm were prepared using an abrading (Kernel Sanders, KS) device. Bricks were tested in compression using a texture analyzer (TA.XTPlus). Stress‐strain curves were used to calculate failure strain, failure stress, failure energy, and Young's modulus. Additionally, the effect of brick aging up to one month, and changes in moisture content (freeze drying, oven drying, and equilibration to ≈10.5–11% mc) were studied. Intrakernel variation was assessed by preparing two sibling bricks (one from each cheek) from individual kernels. Failure strain, stress, and energy all had relatively high model R² values (0.68, 0.79, and 0.75, respectively). The ANOVA model R² for Young's modulus was 0.46. All models indicated variety as a highly significant source of variation in brick material properties. The effect of vitreous versus mealy kernel type was not consistent across varietal samples. Brick age and moisture content did not significantly affect brick material properties. Analysis of sibling bricks indicated that the magnitude of intrakernel variation was similar to that observed for individual varietal lots of uniform vitreous or mealy kernel type. Overall, failure strain provided a ranking and mean separation most consistent with kernel texture market class. The results obtained in the present study, although similar to other published reports do not closely agree with them on the material properties of wheat endosperm. Similarly, published results of material properties often differ considerably. The source of these discrepancies are at present unknown, but in some circumstances they may relate to specimen orientation relative to the source kernel, as there was evidence for anisotropic behavior. A companion study compares the variation in kernel texture obtained with the single kernel characterization system (SKCS) with that obtained here using bricks.     

Demographic consequences of anthropogenic influences: Florida black bears in north-central Florida

Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation poses a serious threat to conservation of large carnivores, due to their extensive movements and potential conflicts with humans. We studied the population ecology of Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) for 6 years in two study areas in north-central Florida: Ocala National Forest (ONF), a contiguous forested habitat, and an adjacent residential community of Lynne, a fragmented habitat with substantial human activities. We estimated age-specific survival and fecundity rates of bears using data from radio-collared bears, and parameterized and analyzed stage-structured matrix population models for the two study sites and also for data pooled from both sites. Annual survival rates of adult females were lower in Lynne (0.776 ± 0.074) than in ONF (0.966 ± 0.023). While cub survival rates were higher in Lynne (0.507 ± 0.135) than in ONF (0.282 ± 0.109), the rates at both sites were substantially lower than those reported for other black bear populations. Age-specific fecundities did not vary between sites. The asymptotic population growth rate for ONF was greater than one, whereas that for Lynne was less than one. Our results suggest that anthropogenic influences (primarily road density and vehicular traffic, through their effect on adult survival) can substantially affect the population dynamics of Florida black bears and other large carnivores with large home ranges. We recommend efforts such as constructing highway underpasses, which could reduce road-related mortalities, to ensure long-term persistence of Florida black bears facing threats from rapidly increasing human influences.     

Estrus Synchronization in Sheep and Goats Using Combinations of GnRH,Progestagen and Prostaglandin F2α

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of GnRH, progestagen and prostaglandin F_2α on estrus synchronization in sheep and goats. Sixty Awassi ewes and 53 Damascus does were used in the study. The experiment started at the beginning of the breeding season (June/July). The same treatments were applied to sheep and goats as follows: no treatment (CON), 14‐day progestagen sponges and 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (S), gonadotropin releasing hormone followed 5 days later by prostaglandin F_2α (GP) and gonadotropin releasing hormone, progestagen sponges for 5 days and prostaglandin F_2α on the day of sponge removal (GSP). None of the ewes in the S group lambed from mating during the induced cycle. A greater lambing rate (p < 0.05) was observed in the GSP group compared with the CON and S groups while the GP group was intermediate. The number of lambs born per lambed ewe was similar among the CON, GP and GSP groups. However, the number of lambs per exposed ewe was greater (p < 0.05) in the GSP than the remaining groups. The induced cycle kidding rate was 77% for all treatments combined. Similar kidding rate were observed among treatments. The numbers of kids born per kidded and exposed doe from mating during the induced estrus were also similar among treatments. Greater numbers of multiple births were observed in the GP and GSP than in the S group. In conclusion, a combination of GnRH, progestagen sponges and PGF_2α can be effective in synchronizing estrus and improving fecundity in sheep and goats. Although the use of GnRH–PGF_2α was effective, the addition of progestagen sponges at the time of GnRH administration appeared to improve reproductive parameters.     

解冻期覆盖盐渍土地表对土壤盐分和水分的影响

选择春季土壤解冻期,用塑料薄膜、麦草和沙子覆盖盐渍土地面,改良盐碱地。结果表明,覆盖对土壤盐分表聚和水分蒸发损失具有明显的抑制作用。塑料薄膜采用全地面覆盖,麦草适用量为2934．8k／hm^2沙子的适宜覆盖厚度为4cm。     

Effect of different mini‐volume colloid centrifugation configurations on flow cytometrically sorted sperm recovery efficiency and quality using a computer‐assisted semen analyzer

Straws of sex‐sorted sperm are usually packaged at a low concentration (e.g., ~2.1 × 10⁶ sperm/ml) and cost significantly more than unsorted conventional semen from the same sire. In order to maximize the efficiency of using sex‐sorted sperm under in vitro fertilization conditions, the selection of an appropriate sperm separation technique is essential. In this study, the effect of using different silane‐coated silica colloid dilutions and layering configurations during centrifugation of sex‐sorted sperm was examined over an extended period of incubation time. Sperm recovery and viability after centrifugation using the colloid separation technique were measured along with several sperm motility parameters using CASA. For this purpose, frozen and thawed sex‐sorted sperm samples were centrifuged using mini‐volume single‐layer (40%, 60% and 80%) and mini‐volume two‐layer (45%/90%, 40%/80% and 30%/60%) separation configurations using PureSperm^®. A single layer of 40% PureSperm^® recovered significantly more sex‐sorted sperm (78.07% ± 2.28%) followed by a single layer of 80% PureSperm^® (68.43% ± 2.33%). The lowest sperm recovery was obtained using a two‐layer PureSperm^® dilution of 45%/90% (47.57% ± 2.33%). Single‐layer centrifugation recovered more sorted sperm (68.67% ± 1.74%) than two layer (53.74% ± 1.74%) (p < .0001). A single layer of 80% PureSperm^® exhibited the highest sorted sperm viability (72.01% ± 2.90%) after centrifugation (p < .05). The mini‐volume single layer of 80% PureSperm^® was determined to be an effective alternative to a two‐layer centrifugation configuration for sex‐sorted sperm selection. In addition, single‐layer colloid dilution of 80% performed either as well as or significantly outperformed the other treatments, as well as the control, with regard to motility (MOT) for all time periods of analysis.     

Altered Expression of Transforming Growth Factor‐Beta Isoforms in Bovine Cystic Ovarian Disease

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the main causes of infertility in dairy cattle. It has been shown that intra‐ovarian factors may contribute to follicular persistence. Transforming growth factor‐beta (TGFB) isoforms are important paracrine and autocrine signalling molecules that regulate ovarian follicle growth and physiology. Considering the importance of these factors in the ovarian physiology, in this study, we examined the expression of TGFB isoforms (TGFB1, TGFB2 and TGFB3) in the ovary of healthy cows and animals with spontaneous and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)‐induced COD. In the oestrous‐synchronized control group, the expression of TGFB1 in granulosa and theca cells was higher in spontaneous cysts than in atretic or tertiary follicles. When we compared TGFB2 expression in granulosa cells from atretic or tertiary follicles from the oestrous‐synchronized control group with that in ACTH‐induced or spontaneous follicular cysts, we found a higher expression in the latter. The expression of the TGFB isoforms studied was also altered during folliculogenesis in both the spontaneous and ACTH‐induced COD groups. As it has been previously shown that TGFB influences steroidogenesis, ovarian follicular proliferation and apoptosis, an alteration in its expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Copper(II) complexes with refractory anionic surfactants found in sewage sludge

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry was used to study Cu(II) complexes with anionic surfactant compounds of the types that have been detected in sewage sludge or in the fulvic acid fraction of anaerobically-digested sewage sludge and found to resist biodegradation in the soil environment. The ESR spectra of frozen (77 °K), aqueous solutions of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates and fatty alcohol sulfate esters at Cu-ligand molar ratios ranging from 0.1 to 1 exhibited anisotropic patterns indicative of a d _x 2?y ² groundstate of Cu(II) bound into innersphere complexes with the ligands arranged in square planar coordination. Sulfonate-type surfactants, both in the acid and salt forms, appeared to complex Cu(II) more efficiently than ester sulfate-type surfactants. Conventional physical parameters calculated from the ESR spectra were consistent with fully oxygenated, 4 O-ligand binding sites for the Cu(II) ions and indicated the formation of similar unidentate or bidentate complexes between Cu(II) and the surfactants at any Cu/ligand molar ratio investigated. The spectral lineshapes and related parameters of the Cu(II)-anionic surfactant complexes, however, were not very similar to those observed previously for Cu(II)-sewage sludge FA complexes. It was concluded that anionic surfactants involved in Cu(II) complexation by sewage sludge or sewage sludge fulvic acid do not behave as isolated, independent ligands, but instead may participate as co-ligands with other O-containing functional groups and/or as moities incorporated into the fulvic acid structure.