Influence of additional amino acids in growth of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes

Abstract

Wheat is the main source of carbohydrates and amino acids consumed in the world. Amino acids and other physiological characters were determined in six wheat genotypes viz. IBWSN-1010, IBWSN -1025, TD-1, ESW-9525, Khirman and Chakwal-86 for pot experiment, to evaluate the response of genotypes under water stress at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan, during 2018. Eight different physiological indices (Proline content, glycine-betaine, total sugars, total chlorophyll, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), potassium (K⁺) content, osmotic potential (OP) and relative water content (RWC)) were determined. The variance of analysis shows two-way interaction one with water stress [Control (normal four irrigations) and the other with terminal drought (Soaking dose) having significance at p?≤?0.05. It was observed that, ESW9525, IBWSN-1010 and IBWSN-1025 exhibited the tolerance followed by, Khirman and Chakwal-86 by maintaining their OP and accumulation of higher proline and glycine-betaine content. Whereas, moderate total soluble sugars were found in these genotypes. However, NRA increased in IBWSN-1010 enhancing tolerance under water stress.     

The effects of levamisole on oxidative stress induced by copper intoxication in broilers

Abstract

AIM: To determine the effects of Cu and levamisole on concentrations of Cu and Fe in plasma and liver, and the effects of levamisole on lipid peroxidation induced by Cu intoxication in broiler chickens.

METHODS: In a 2×4 factorial study, 80 one-day-old Ross PM3 broiler chicks were fed diets for 21 days containing either 8 mg/kg Cu (Low Cu) or 250 mg/kg Cu (High Cu) and were treated with 0 (L0), 4 (L4), 8 (L8) or 16 (L16) mg/kg bodyweight levamisole per day from Day 7 of the study, on three consecutive days in their drinking water. This treatment was repeated three times, at 3-day intervals. On Day 21, blood samples were collected from each bird for analysis of concentrations of Cu, Fe and malondialdehyde, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The birds were killed and liver samples collected for analysis of Cu and Fe.

RESULTS: Mean concentrations of Cu and Fe in plasma, and Cu in liver, were increased overall in the High Cu groups compared with the Low Cu groups (p<0.001). Compared with the L0 treatment group on the High Cu diet, treatments L4, L8 and L16 decreased concentrations of Cu in plasma, and L8 and L16 increased concentration of Cu in liver (p<0.05). Mean activities of AST and ALT were increased in untreated birds (L0) fed the High compared with Low Cu diets (p<0.01). In birds receiving the High Cu diet, treatments L4 and L8 decreased activities of AST, and L4 and L16 decreased activity of ALT, compared with L0 (p<0.05). The High Cu diet induced an oxidative stress characterised by increased mean concentrations of malondialdehyde and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and GSH-Px (p<0.001). Concentration of malondialdehyde, and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were not changed following levamisole treatment in birds on the High Cu diet, and activity of GSH-Px was decreased by the L4 and L8 treatments compared with the L0 group.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of the study suggest that treatment with levamisole might alleviate the harmful effects of Cu on the liver, as demonstrated by decreased activities of AST and ALT induced by a diet containing 250 mg/kg Cu.     

Effect of Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation on Performance and Haemotological Values in Broilers

A total of 120-day-old broilers were divided into four groups. In group-A, broilers were left without supplementation of minerals and vitamins (control), while the broilers in groups B, C and D were given mineral and vitamin supplementation 1-6, 1-4 and 5-6 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the feed consumption of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 4 234.61, 4 028.38, 4 169.32 and 4 181.87 g ? b-1; water intake was 9 668.88, 9 295.55, 9 882.11 and 9 402.86 L ? b-1; live body weight was 2 068.90, 2 360.90, 2 255.30 and 2 157.40 g ? b-1, respectively. The feed conversion ratio of broilers in groups A, B, C, D was 2.05, 1.71, 1.85 and 1.94 g ? b-1, carcass weight (wt) was 1 550, 1 656, 1 552 and 1 528.8 g ? b-1, and average dressing percentage was 61.24, 63.02, 62.60 and 60.51 respectively. Weight of heart in groups A, B, C and D was 15.13, 13.16, 11.72 and 11.50 g ? b-1, weight of gizzard was 32.98, 37.48, 37.62 and 33.35 g ? b-1, weight of liver was 51.94, 48.70, 51.94 and 48.70 g ? b-1and spleen weight was 3.48, 3.28, 3.06 and 2.82 g ? b-1, respectively. Average mortality of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 6, 2, 4 and 5 resulting 20.00%, 8.00%, 13.00% and 16.00% mortality rate, respectively. The haemoglobin level in blood of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 9.20, 12.23, 10.87 and 7.60 g ? dL-1, white blood cell level 77.47, 89.83, 81.63 and 78.13 (×106μL); red blood cell level 1.85, 2.58, 2.45 and 1.40 (×106μL), respectively. It was concluded that broilers given mineral and vitamin supplementation (Aquavit Electrolyte) for 6 weeks were proven to be most effective regime to result the lowest feed intake, the highest live body weight, better feed conversion ratio, higher carcass weight, better dressing percentage, higher net profit, relatively improved haemoglobin level in blood, increased counts of red blood cells and white blood cells. In all the above parameters, the broilers received mineral and vitamin supplementation for the first 4 weeks and the last 2 weeks showed relatively inferior performance, it is suggested that mineral and vitamin supplementation through water for partial period was not much effective in broiler productivity. Broilers may be supplemented with commercially available minerals and vitamins in drinking water over full rearing period, for achieving higher live body weight and efficient feed conversion ratio.     

Free radical oxidation products in plasma and synovial fluid of horses with synovial inflammation

SUMMARY: Free radical oxidation products, namely conjugated dienes, ultraviolet fluorescence (excitation 325 nm, emission 395 nm) and visible fluorescence (excitation 360 nm, emission 460 nm) were measured in equine synovial fluid exposed to free radicals In vitro and in the plasma and synovial fluids of horses with synovial effusions. The synovial effusions were induced by intra-articularly administered carrageenin (0.3 ml, 1%), which rarely resulted in clinical lameness. The free radicals were generated In vitro by mixtures of iron and ethylene diamine tetra acetate (Fe/EDTA) or mixtures of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase (HX/XO). The conjugated diene concentrations and intensity of ultraviolet fluorescence were negligible in plasma and synovial fluid specimens. No increase resulted from incubation of synovial fluids with either a free radical generating system or as a result of the induced inflammation. The intensity of visible fluorescence did not increase in specimens incubated with Fe/EDTA. However, the intensity of visible fluorescence increased in specimens incubated with HX/XO, in synovial effusions induced by carrageenin, in plasma and in synovial fluids aspirated from saline injected controls. The results indicate that the intensity of visible fluorescence of equine synovial fluid increases after exposure to free radicals and during synovitis in the horse, suggesting a possible role for free radicals in the pathogenesis of equine inflammatory joint diseas     

Effects of finasteride on size of the prostate gland and semen quality in dogs with benign prostatic hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride on prostatic diameter and volume, semen quality, and serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone concentrations in dogs with spontaneous benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). DESIGN: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial. ANIMALS: 9 dogs with BPH. PROCEDURE: Five dogs were treated with finasteride for 16 weeks (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg [0.05 to 0.23 mg/lb] of body weight, PO, q 24 h); the other 4 received a placebo. Prostatic diameter, measured radiographically, prostatic volume, measured ultrasonographically, semen quality, and serum DHT and testosterone concentrations were evaluated before and during treatment. After receiving the placebo for 16 weeks, the 4 control dogs were treated with finasteride for 16 weeks, and evaluations were repeated. RESULTS: Finasteride significantly decreased prostatic diameter (mean percentage decrease, 20%), prostatic volume (mean percentage decrease, 43%), and serum DHT concentration (mean percentage decrease, 58%). Finasteride decreased semen volume but did not adversely effect semen quality or serum testosterone concentration. No adverse effects were reported by owners of dogs in the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that finasteride can be used to reduce prostatic size in dogs with BPH without adversely affecting semen quality or serum testosterone concentration.     

Internationalizing veterinary education in the 21st century

This paper presents the results of a survey conducted in the spring of 2001 to assess international activities at colleges of veterinary medicine in North America. A questionnaire was sent to all 31 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada, of which 22 responded. Of those schools responding to the survey, 86% have International Veterinary Medicine (IVM) programs and most have faculty involved in internationally oriented research (95%), in teaching IVM (74%), in mentoring veterinary students in IVM (84%), and in international consultancies (84%). Funding sources for faculty international activities include foundations, intramural funds, curriculum development grants, endowment/development funds, and sabbaticals. Foreign animal diseases are the most commonly taught international topic. The increasing importance of international veterinary issues is leading to the internationalization of the veterinary education in North America. Most IVM programs include activities of both faculty and students. Greater collaboration between faculty and programs across schools would allow schools to benefit from each other's strengths in IVM education.     

Ostertagiasis in calves. II. infection parameters and body weight gains following housing

The performance of six groups of six calves each from a previous field experiment was followed from the beginning of housing until turning out seven months later. When housed the groups harboured different levels of infection with Ostertagia ostertagi and had corresponding weight and gain reductions. The most heavily infected groups improved rapidly following housing. Elevated serum pepsinogen levels decreased markedly, and approached normal values at eight weeks. Differences in serum pepsinogen levels between groups diminished considerably, but remained significant over the entire stabling period. The serum albumin level was low in the most seriously affected animals at the time of housing, but normal levels were restored within the first twelve weeks. In general, the number of parasite eggs in the faeces of the animals decreased, but there was considerable fluctuation. Apart from a single sampling date, no significant difference in egg per gram (EPG) could be demonstrated between the experimental groups during the stabling period.The calves were fed according to their age. The live weight differences between most and least affected groups diminished from 64 kg at the time of housing to 37 kg at the end of the stabling period. The reduction took place particularly during the first four weeks of housing.Considering both the grazing and stabling periods, it appeared that anthelmintic treatment twice during the period had no effect on the final live weight, whereas remeated treatments at three-week intervals resulted in an increase of 24 kg. Similarly, moving the animals to a clean pasture in mid-July resulted in an increase of 39 kg at the end of the stabling period when compared to calves which were not moved. Treatment of moved animals did not result in further body weight gain after seven months of housing.No significant correlation was found between parasite EPG of faeces and growth rate during the stabling period. However, a positive correlation was found between serum pepsinogen during the first eight weeks of housing and the weight gain over the entire stabling period. This was in contrast to the correlation experienced during the grazing period.     

Alpha‐Linolenic Acid Supplementation in Tris Extender Can Improve Frozen–Thawed Bull Semen Quality

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of α ‐linolenic acid (ALA) on frozen–thawed quality and fatty acid composition of bull sperm. For that, twenty‐four ejaculates obtained from three bulls were diluted in a Tris extender containing 0 (control), 3, 5, 10 and 15 ng/ml of ALA. Extended semen was incubated at 37°C for 15 min, to allow absorption of ALA by sperm cell membrane. The sample was chilled for 2 h, packed into 0.25‐ml straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen for 24 h. Subsequently, straws were thawed and evaluated for total sperm motility (computer‐assisted semen analysis), membrane functional integrity (hypo‐osmotic swelling test), viability (eosin‐nigrosin), fatty acid composition (gas chromatography) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS)). A higher (p < 0.05) percentage of total sperm motility was observed in ALA groups 5 ng/ml (47.74 ± 07) and 10 ng/ml (44.90 ± 0.7) in comparison with control (34.53 ± 3.0), 3 ng/ml (34.40 ± 2.6) and 15 ng/ml (34.60 ± 2.9). Still, the 5 ng/ml ALA group presented a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of viable sperms (74.13 ± 0.8) and sperms with intact membrane (74.46 ± 09) than all other experimental groups. ALA concentration and lipid peroxidation in post‐thawed sperm was higher in all treated groups when compared to the control group. As such, the addition of 5 ng/ml of ALA to Tris extender improved quality of frozen–thawed bull spermatozoa.