An assessment of potential of hybrid poplar for planting in the Virginia Piedmont

Poplar species grow well across the temperate zone, but hybrid varieties have not previously been evaluated for planting in the Virginia Piedmont region. The top 12 clones in height growth and rust resistance from a screening trial involving 98 hybrid poplar varieties of three taxa (Populus deltoides × P. maximowiczii, DxM; P. deltoides × P. nigra, DxN; P. deltoides × P. trichocarpa, DxT) were selected for planting in replicated yield trials at two locations in the Virginia Piedmont. Results through the first four growing seasons showed that the DxM taxon had the most rapid height development. It was, however, the taxon most affected by a late spring frost at the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest site and by Septoria stem canker at the Reynolds Homestead site. Analysis of variance of clonal and location effects showed highly significant differences among replicates within location and among clones within taxon. Among seven clones within the DxM taxon, pairwise comparison tests of height growth identified two groups: a group of four better clones that were significantly different (p = 0.05) from a second group of three. These early results suggest that multi-selection criteria, including growth, disease and frost resistance, are important when developing hybrid poplar clones for planting in the Piedmont region.     

Genetic variation and structure of Solanum elaeagnifolium in Australia analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

Solanum elaeagnifolium is a weed of national significance in Australia. However, the genetic diversity of S. elaeagnifolium is poorly understood. Four amplified fragment length polymorphism primer combinations were utilised to investigate the genetic variation and structure of 187 S. elaeagnifolium individuals collected from 94 locations in Australia. High genetic diversity was found, with an average Jaccard's genetic similarity at 0.26. Individuals were assigned to two genetic clusters or considered as admixed according to their membership coefficient value (q) calculated by Bayesian model‐based genetic structure analysis. This suggested that Australian S. elaeagnifolium may have originated from two distinct gene pools. These results were further supported by principal co‐ordinates analysis. Large spatial groups of individuals assigning to these two gene pools were found in western Victoria and south‐western New South Wales (NSW) and northern NSW, which correlated well with the early records of S. elaeagnifolium in both regions. The high genetic diversity found here could add difficulties to effective control of S. elaeagnifolium across regions.     

Sympathoadrenal Neurochemistry and early weaning of swine.

Three litters of pigs were weaned at 21 days of age, and 3 others were left with the sow. Pigs were killed at 21, 23, 28, or 39 days of age. Weaned pigs exhibited anxiety, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and decreased rate of body weight gain. Plasma glucose or liver glycogen concentrations were not decreased by weaning. Adrenal gland weights and tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.3a), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.2.1), phenethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (EC 2.1.1), and monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4) activities were increased after weaning. Adrenal catecholamine and cortisol levels and dopa decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.26) and catechol-o-methyl transferase (EC 2.1.1.6) activities were not significantly altered, although some increases were indicated. Cranial cervical ganglionic choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) and tyrosine hydroxylase activities were increased after weaning. Weaning of swine at 21 days of age is a stressful experience, and many effects persist for at least 18 days; however, growth was no longer impaired 18 days after weaning.     

A Developmental Study of Sleep and Wakefulness in the Dog

Abstract— —The duration of wakefulness, quiet sleep and activated(REM) sleep was observed in dogs and recordings of EKG, EMG and respiration were taken at various ages during these different behavioral states. The greatest variations in autonomic functions occurred during activated sleep. With increasing age, the percentage of activated sleep decreased in proportion to wakefulness and quiet sleep, the latter increasing after 2 weeks of age. These observations are correlated with earlier studies on the development of GNS and behavior in this species, and their ontogenetic significance discussed. Résumé— —La durée de l'état de veille, de sommeil calme et de sommeil activé (REM) ont été verifiées chez des chiens et des enregistrements de la EKG, EMG et de la respiration ont été pris à différents âges pendant ces états diférents de comportement. Les plus grandes variations dans les fonctions autonomes survinrent pendant le sommeil activé. Avec la criossance de l'âge, le pourcentage du sommeil activé diminua en proportion avec l'état de veille et de sommeil calme, le dernier, croissant après l'àge de deux semaines. Ces observations sont en correlation avec des études anteér-ieures sur le dévéloppement du système nerveux central et le comportement de ces espèces; leur signification ontogénétique cst discutée. Zusammenfassung— —Die Dauer des Wachzustandes, ruhigem Schlaf, Schlaf mit Bewegungen (REM) wurde bei Hunden beobachtet und EKG-, EMG- und Respirationsaufzeichnungen während dieser verschiedenen Verhaltungsstaden wurden be iverschiedenen Altersgruppen gemacht. Die grössten Veränderungen der autonomischen Funktionen wurden während des Schlafes mit Bewegungen beobachtet. Mit zunehnemdem Alter wurde der Anteil des lebhaften Schlafes geringer zugunsten des Wachzustandes und ruhigen Schlafes. Der Letzterenahm nach den zwei ersten Lebenswochen zu. Diese Beobachtungen stimmem mit den früheren Beobachtungen über die Entwicklung des ZNS und Verhalten bei dieser Spezies überein, und ihre ontogenetische Bedeutung wird besprochen.     

Fatty acid composition, including conjugated linoleic acid, of intramuscular fat from steers offered grazed grass, grass silage, or concentrate-based diets

The effects of grazed grass, grass silage, or concentrates on fatty acid composition and conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11-18:2; CLA) concentrations of i.m. fat of steers fed to achieve similar carcass growth rates were investigated. Fifty steers were divided into 10 blocks based on body weight and assigned at random from within blocks to one of five dietary treatments. The experimental rations offered daily for 85 d preceding slaughter were 1) grass silage for ad libitum intake plus 4 kg of concentrate, 2) 8 kg of concentrate plus 1 kg of hay, 3) 6 kg of grazed grass DM plus 5 kg of concentrate, 4) 12 kg of grazed grass DM plus 2.5 kg concentrate, or 5) 22 kg of grazed grass DM. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in i.m. fat was higher (P < .05) for steers offered ration 5 than for those given any other ration. Decreasing the proportion of concentrate in the diet, which effectively increased grass intake, caused a linear decrease in the concentration of i.m. saturated fatty acids (SFA) (P < .01) and in the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (P < .001) and a linear increase in the PUFA:SFA ratio (P < .01) and the conjugated linoleic acid concentration (P < .001). The data indicate that i.m. fatty acid composition of beef can be improved from a human health perspective by inclusion of grass in the diet.     

Ion,Protein, Phospholipid and Energy Substrate Content of Oviduct Fluid During the Oestrous Cycle of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The aim of this research was to analyse the composition of oviduct fluid (ODF) in buffalo cows at different oestrous cycle phases to fulfil the requirements of buffalo embryos in vitro. ODF was collected by chronic cannulation from three cows that were synchronized by administering a synthetic prostaglandin. Based on hormonal profiles, the pre‐ovulatory, ovulatory, post‐ovulatory and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle were defined. The volume of ODF produced (ml/24 h) was influenced by the oestrous cycle, with values (mean ± SE) around ovulation (1.0 ± 0.2) greater (p < 0.05) than in both the luteal (0.4 ± 0.1) and the post‐ovulatory phases (0.5 ± 0.1), but not different from the intermediate values in the pre‐ovulatory phase (0.8 ± 0.2). Among cycle phases, no differences were found in sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations (130.0 ± 1.1, 5.1 ± 0.3, 2.8 ± 0.1 and 0.59 ± 0.04 mmol/l respectively). Interestingly, the chloride secretion (μm /24 h) was higher (p < 0.05) at ovulation (150.2 ± 16.5) than during both the luteal (73.7 ± 22.0) and the post‐ovulatory phases (63.7 ± 11.2), with intermediate values in the pre‐ovulatory phase (113.4 ± 23.5). Glucose concentration (mmol/l) was higher (p = 0.056) in the pre‐ovulatory phase (0.06 ± 0.02) than in the luteal (0.02 ± 0.01) and post‐ovulatory (0.02 ± 0.01) phases but not different from values in the ovulatory phase (0.04 ± 0.02). Concentrations of pyruvate and lactate among oestrous cycle phases were similar (0.08 ± 0.01 and 1.0 ± 0.1 mmol/l respectively). The total quantity of phospholipids (μmol/24 h) was greater (p < 0.05) at ovulation (0.21 ± 0.02) compared with the luteal, pre‐ovulatory and post‐ovulatory phases of the cycle (0.09 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.09 ± 0.01 respectively). No differences were found in either the protein concentration (1.8 ± 0.3 mg/ml) or the quantity of proteins secreted in 24 h (1.8 ± 0.4 mg) among oestrous cycle phases. In conclusion, this study provides the first characterization of buffalo ODF during the oestrous cycle, showing species‐specific differences that may be useful for developing suitable media for buffalo in vitro embryo production.     

Corpus Luteum Development and Function after Supplementation of Long‐Acting Progesterone During the Early Luteal Phase in Beef Cattle

Strategic supplementation of P4 may be used to increase conception rates in cattle, but timing of supplementation in relation to ovulation, mass of supplementary P4 and formulation of the P4‐containing supplement has not been determined for beef cattle. Effects of supplementation of long‐acting progesterone (P4) on Days 2 or 3 post‐ovulation on development, function and regression of corpus luteum (CL) were studied in beef cattle. Cows were synchronized with an oestradiol/P4‐based protocol and treated with 150 or 300 mg of long‐acting P4 on Day 2 or 3 post‐ovulation (6–7 cows/group). Colour‐doppler ultrasound scanning and blood sample collection were performed from Day 2–21.5. Plasma P4 concentrations were greater (p < 0.05) from Day 2.5–5.5 in the Day 2‐treated groups and from Day 3.5–5.5 in the Day 3‐treated cows than in the control group. CL area and blood flow during Day 2–8.5 did not differ (p > 0.05) among groups, suggesting no effect of P4 treatment on luteal development. The frequency of cows that began luteolysis before Day 15 was greater (p < 0.04) in cows treated with 300 mg than in the controls, but there were no differences between non‐treated and 150 mg‐treated cows. The interval from pre‐treatment ovulation to functional and structural luteolysis was shorter (p < 0.01) in the combined P4‐treated groups than in the control cows. In conclusion, was showed for the first time that long‐acting P4 supplementation on Day 2 or 3 post‐ovulation increases P4 concentrations for ≥3 day, has no effect on luteal development, but anticipates the beginning of luteolysis in beef cattle.