Reproductive season and male effect on quantitative and qualitative traits of individually collected Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) semen

Males of Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) are mainly used for mule duck production via artificial insemination of females originated from wild mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos); therefore, the quantity and quality of drake semen play a crucial role. The assessment results of male reaction to sexual stimulation by dummy female and basic semen characteristic (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and morphology) of 12 individually kept Muscovy drakes carried out during the entire reproductive season are described. The male and period of the reproductive season effect on scored semen traits are documented. In total, 792 individual semen collections and evaluations were performed. The average of positive reaction in the entire reproductive season varied from 90.6% in December and April to 50.0% in July, while for individual males, it varied between 97.1% and 29.0%. Throughout the season, the ejaculate volumes ranged from 0.05 to 2.45 ml, sperm concentration from 0.15 × 10⁹ ml⁻¹ to 4.44 × 10⁹ ml⁻¹, total number of live spermatozoa from 68.0% to 100% and live normal (properly formed, with any deformations) from 51.0% to 99.0%. Our study indicates the necessity of male breeders pre-selection before the onset of the reproductive season, and the need to leave an appropriate number of males to ensure adequate amount of semen for female insemination, especially when using Muscovy drakes (Cairina moschata) for interspecies crossing with Anas platyrhynchos ducks.     

Distribution of Trace Elements in Meromictic Pit Lake

Studies were conducted at the deepest location of the meromictic Piaseczno pit lake, southern Poland, which was created in abandoned sulphur opencast. Pearson correlation and PCA were used to established the relationship between the elements and physico-chemical parameters of the water, whereas discriminant test to study vertical and time differentiation of Cd, Pb, Sr, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe concentrations. The results indicated both vertical (except Cu and Zn) and time differentiations of studied elements in the lake water. The highest concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Sr were found in the monimolimnion, that of Mn and Fe in the anoxic water. Depth profiles of Cu and Zn did not show any pronounced trend. Pb and Sr distributions in the water were related to alkalinity, Cl^? and COD, Cd to alkalinity and Cl^?, Mn and Fe to the redox conditions, Mn to water pH, and Fe to the alkalinity. The upper (0–15 cm) layer of the sediment consisted mainly of S (24.2 Atom%), Fe (21.62%), Ca (18.4%), Si (14.3%), and (Al 6.3%) and reflected mainly processes proceeded in the anoxic water-sediment interface. Calculated accumulation coefficients (K _d) of the elements in the sediment are discussed.     

Impact of Maillard reaction on immunoreactivity and allergenicity of the hazelnut allergen Cor a 11

Few studies exist on the influence of processing methods on structural changes and allergenic potential of hazelnut proteins. This study focused on the effect of glycation (Maillard reaction) on the immunoreactivity and degranulation capacity of the purified hazelnut 7S globulin, Cor a 11. After heating, the extent of the Maillard reaction, sensitivity to proteolysis, binding of human IgE or rabbit IgG, and degranulation capacity were analyzed. Changes in electrophoretic mobility, amount of free amino groups, and contents of bound sugar and fructosamine indicated that glycation of Cor a 11 occurred at all conditions. Glycation at 37 °C did not influence the specific IgG or IgE binding and was decreased after heating at 60 and 145 °C. Heating, with or without glucose, at 145 °C increased basophil degranulation capacity. The results suggest that glycation of Cor a 11 at 60 and 145 °C may decrease the IgE/IgG binding properties but not the degranulation capacity of basophils. This is possibly related to aggregation of the proteins as a result of the Maillard reaction.     

Uptake of Hydrocarbon by Pseudomonas fluorescens (P1) and Pseudomonas putida (K1) Strains in the Presence of Surfactants: A Cell Surface Modification

The objective of this research was the evaluation of the effects of exogenous added surfactants on hydrocarbon biodegradation and on cell surface properties. Crude oil hydrocarbons are often difficult to remove from the environment because of their insolubility in water. The addition of surfactants enhances the removal of hydrocarbons by raising the solubility of these compounds. These surfactants cause them to become more vulnerable to degradation, thereby facilitating transportation across the cell membrane. The obtained results showed that the microorganism consortia of bacteria are useful biological agents within environmental bioremediation. The most effective amongst all, as regards biodegradation, were the consortia of Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. strains. The results indicated that the natural surfactants (rhamnolipides and saponins) are more effective surfactants in hydrocarbon biodegradation as compared to Triton X-100. The addition of natural surfactants enhanced the removal of hydrocarbon and diesel oil from the environment. Very promising was the use of saponins as a surfactant in hydrocarbon biodegradation. This surfactant significantly increases the organic compound biodegradation. In the case of those surfactants that could be easily adsorbed on cells of strains (e.g., rhamnolipides), a change of hydrophobicity to ca. 30-40% was noted. As the final result, an increase in hydrocarbon biodegradation was observed.     

The effect of preservatives on water balance in cut clematis flowers

A positive water balance is crucial for longevity of cut shoots. When water loss by transpiration exceeds water uptake by cut flowers, wilting symptoms appear. Clematis is a very attractive plant which can be used as a cut flower provided that suitable cultivars are chosen. The vase life of four cultivars tested ranged between 6.7 days and 9.0 days and the standard preservative – 200 mg·dm^?3 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8HQC) plus 2% sucrose – prolonged it significantly in two cultivars, while 8HQC alone was efficient in only one. The preservatives delayed reduction in fresh weight. An enhancement of water uptake by the preservatives resulted in prolonged vase life of flowers in two cultivars. However, the effect of preservatives on transpiration was not related to longevity. In addition, longevity did not depend on the xylem vessel size: the cultivar with the longest vase life had the lowest average xylem vessel diameter while the cultivar with the largest vessels had an intermediate vase life. Preservatives did not always affect the number of blockages in xylem appearing during vase life. Generally, the effects of preservatives on the elements of water balance in cut shoots of clematis were not directly related to the postharvest longevity.     

Effect of teleost pituitary gonadotropins on the in vitro maturation of carp oocytes

Studies were conducted on the effects of various kinds of teleost pituitary gonadotropins on the in vitro maturation of carp oocytes. It was ascertained that after 24 h of incubation with gonadotropins, the highest percentage of oocytes with the nucleus in the migrating or peripheral position, or of mature oocytes, was observed in the case of ciprinide gonadotropins.Centrifuged hypophysial homogenates of the pike, sea-trout and pike-perch displayed a considerably weaker activity. The results obtained are indicative of a specificity of teleost pituitary gonadotropins.     

Swine platelet antigens: section report.

A total of 14 antibodies were found to label resting and/or activated swine platelets. Six recognized CD previously characterized for swine (CD29, CD41/61 and CD46). One had been characterized for human cells (CD47). Two antibodies with CD14 and SLA class I specificity suggested by the donor as well as five blind antibodies were also positive on platelets. One antibody appeared to recognize the swine homologue to human CD47, and four remained unclustered.     

A review of the renal system and diurnal variations of renal activity in livestock

Kidneys are the main organs regulating water-electrolyte homeostasis in the body. They are responsible for maintaining the total volume of water and its distribution in particular water spaces, for electrolyte composition of systemic fluids and also for maintaining acid-base balance. These functions are performed by the plasma filtration process in renal glomeruli and the processes of active absorption and secretion in renal tubules, all adjusted to an 'activity-rest' rhythm. These diurnal changes are influenced by a 24-hour cycle of activity of hormones engaged in the regulation of renal activity. Studies on spontaneous rhythms of renal activity have been carried out mainly on humans and laboratory animals, but few studies have been carried out on livestock animals. Moreover, those results cover only some aspects of renal physiology. This review gives an overview of current knowledge concerning renal function and diurnal variations of some renal activity parameters in livestock, providing greater understanding of general chronobiological processes in mammals. Detailed knowledge of these rhythms is useful for clinical, practical and pharmacological purposes, as well as studies on their physical performance.     

Multi Criteria Assessment of Zero Residue Apple Production

During the 2008–2010 growing seasons, an alternative ‘zero residue apple production system’ was compared with integrated apple production with cvs ‘Idared’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Gala’ in commercial orchards at several locations throughout Slovenia, using data envelopment analysis (DEA), and multi criteria assessment by an analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The principle of the ‘zero residue apple production’ is a combination of integrated (IP) and organic apple production. During the first 3 months of the growing season (1 April–30 June), pesticides used in IP with rapid degradation (8–10 applications) were used to control pests and diseases. During the second part of the season from 1 July to harvest, organic products (6–12 applications) were employed compared with 19–25 applications overall in IP. The goal of the alternative system was to reduce the amount of applied conventional pesticides by 40 % and to minimize pesticide residues in fruits to below the limit of 0.5 % of the legal maximum residue level (MRL) or below the residue concentrations of 0.005–0.01 mg/kg and to retain the high long-term level of yield, fruit quality, and net income per hectare. The number of pesticide residues was reduced from 4.2–5.5 in IP to 1.8–3.4 in zero residue cultivation, while 3 year average yields (class 1 fruit) were 4–9 % lower than in IP. The break even prices ranged from € 0.31 for Idared in IP, € 0.34 for ‘Elstar’ of both production systems to € 0.35/kg for zero residue cultivated ‘Golden Delicious’. Overall, a price increase of just € 0.02/kg for residue free apples would make this new ‘zero residue apple production’ profitable then representing a realistic alternative to the standard integrated apple production system.