Identification of vaccine candidates against serogroup B meningococcus by whole-genome sequencing

Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of bacterial septicemia and meningitis. Sequence variation of surface-exposed proteins and cross-reactivity of the serogroup B capsular polysaccharide with human tissues have hampered efforts to develop a successful vaccine. To overcome these obstacles, the entire genome sequence of a virulent serogroup B strain (MC58) was used to identify vaccine candidates. A total of 350 candidate antigens were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and used to immunize mice. The sera allowed the identification of proteins that are surface exposed, that are conserved in sequence across a range of strains, and that induce a bactericidal antibody response, a property known to correlate with vaccine efficacy in humans.     

Genome sequence of the radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1

The complete genome sequence of the radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1 is composed of two chromosomes (2,648,638 and 412,348 base pairs), a megaplasmid (177,466 base pairs), and a small plasmid (45,704 base pairs), yielding a total genome of 3,284, 156 base pairs. Multiple components distributed on the chromosomes and megaplasmid that contribute to the ability of D. radiodurans to survive under conditions of starvation, oxidative stress, and high amounts of DNA damage were identified. Deinococcus radiodurans represents an organism in which all systems for DNA repair, DNA damage export, desiccation and starvation recovery, and genetic redundancy are present in one cell.     

Development of One vs Multiple Ovulatory Follicles and Associated Systemic Hormone Concentrations in Mares

Ablation of follicles ≥  6 mm in diameter and treatment with PGF2α 10 days after ovulation were used to induce the development of ovulatory waves. Comparisons were made between induced waves with one (33 waves, 72%) and multiple (13 waves, 28%) ovulatory follicles. Diameter deviation was defined as the separation of follicles into dominant and subordinate categories. Multiple ovulatory follicles were preceded by more (p < 0.001) follicles ≥ 20 mm at the beginning of deviation, higher LH preceding deviation (approached significance, p < 0.08), lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of FSH on the day of deviation and thereafter, and higher (p < 0.0003) oestradiol by 2 days after deviation. During the peri-ovulatory period, systemic hormone concentrations for waves with multiple ovulations involved higher oestradiol before ovulation (approached significance, p < 0.07), lower FSH (p < 0.04) before and after ovulation, and both higher progesterone (p < 0.05) and lower LH (p < 0.05) beginning the day after ovulation. Results indicated that by the beginning of deviation there were more follicles ≥  20 mm and subsequently greater oestradiol production in waves that led to the development of multiple ovulatory follicles, and during the peri-ovulatory period differences between one and multiple ovulations were consistent with the negative effects of the ovarian hormones on the gonadotropins.     

Effect of Cloprostenol Treatment at Artificial Insemination on Sow Fertility

In two experiments, we examined the effect of administration of cloprostenol at artificial insemination on fertility of multiparous sows. Lactation length was 21 days and only sows exhibiting estrus by 7 days after weaning were included. Cloprostenol was administered by IM injection (175 microg; n=126) or supplemented in the semen dose (525 microg; n=129). Control sows (n=130) received no hormone. In either experiment, there was no effect of any treatment on subsequent litter sizes. In experiment 1, there was no effect of treatment on farrowing rate, but in experiment 2, farrowing rate was higher (p < 0.05) in sows receiving cloprostenol by injection. Taken together, these results indicate no consistent effect of cloprostenol administration by intramuscular injection or by inclusion in the semen dose on sow fertility and so its routine use is not warranted.     

Effect of Reproductive Seasonality on Gamete Quality in the North American Bison (Bison bison bison)

The objective was to investigate the effects of reproductive seasonality on gamete quality in plains bison (Bison bison bison). Epididymal sperm (n = 61 per season), collected during the breeding season (July–September), had significantly higher post‐thaw total motility (36.76 ± 14.18 vs 31.24 ± 12.74%), and lower linearity (0.36 ± 0.06 vs 0.39 ± 0.04) and wobbliness (0.49 ± 0.04 vs 0.51 ± 0.03; mean ± SD) compared to non‐breeding season (January–March) samples. Representative samples (n = 4) from each season were used in heterologous IVF trials using cattle oocytes. Cleavage, morulae and blastocyst percentage were higher for breeding vs non‐breeding season sperm samples (81.88 ± 6.8 vs 49.94 ± 6.77; 41.89 ± 13.40 vs 27.08 ± 23.21; and 30.49 ± 17.87 vs 13.72 ± 18.98%, respectively). Plains bison ovaries collected during the breeding (n = 97 pairs) and non‐breeding (n = 100 pairs) seasons were classified as luteal or follicular. Oocytes recovered from these ovaries were classified into five grades based on morphology. There was no significant difference in the number of luteal ovaries or grades of oocytes recovered. Oocytes were matured, fertilized (with frozen sperm from three bison bulls) and cultured in vitro. Cleavage percentage was higher for oocytes collected during breeding vs non‐breeding season (83.72 ± 6.42 vs 73.98 ± 6.43), with no significant difference in subsequent development to blastocysts. In summary, epididymal sperm from non‐breeding season had decreased total motility and resulted in reduced embryo production in vitro. Oocytes collected during non‐breeding season had reduced ability to be matured, fertilized and/or undergo cleavage in vitro. Data suggested that season influenced gamete quality in plains bison.