Analysis for total sulfite in foods by using rapid distillation followed by redox titration

A rapid and accurate analysis for total sulfite as sulfur dioxide has been developed for foods and food products. The method, which combines a selective distillation cleanup procedure with the selective redox titration of sulfite ion by iodine, has been applied to a variety of foods and food products over a period of time with no significant interference encountered in any matrixes other than garlic and leeks. For the foods analyzed, the method typically shows a detection limit of 10 ppm, a relative standard deviation of 7.5% (compared with 10.4% for similar matrixes by the Monier-Williams method), and recoveries of 97.9 +/- 6.4%. Comparison of results for this method with those obtained using the Monier-Williams method showed a mean value for the distillation/titration method of 241 ppm compared with 242 ppm for the Monier-Williams method. A correlation of 0.991 and odds of a difference between methods of 10.7% (Student's paired t-test (1-alpha) X 100) were obtained for those matrixes where no interferences were encountered with either method.     

Centres of Crop Diversity and/or Origin, Genetically Modified Crops and Implications for Plant Genetic Resources Conservation

The concept of centres of crop diversity and/or origin of agriculture is briefly reviewed. The conservation status of crop genetic resources, either ex situ or in situ, cultivated or wild, has been assessed for species of the Central American and Mexican centre, demonstrating that that region is indeed one of the important centres of crop diversity for human kind. Furthermore, biotechnological developments with regard to the creation and spread of genetically modified crops have been analyzed. The likelihood of unintentional introgression of genetically modified traits into conventional seed lots, crops as well as into germplasm collections have been assessed. Related biosafety measures as well as the possible implications of intellectual property rights on transgenic crops and/or genes are being discussed vis-a-vis the possible implications they might have for germplasm management. The Central American crop genetic resources situation has been used as a “case study” to illustrate the potential impact of the spreading of GM varieties on the genetic diversity in genebanks and farmers’ fields and the need for effective and efficient conservation efforts. Conservation management strategies and practices are being proposed of mitigate the potential negative impact of GM crops on the conservation efforts.     

Fibrin–alginate hydrogel supports steroidogenesis,in vitro maturation of oocytes and parthenotes production from caprine preantral follicles cultured in group

This study aimed to establish a culture system that improves the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles. In a first experiment, follicles were encapsulated as a single unit per bead and cultured singly or in groups or with five follicles in the same alginate (ALG) bead for 18 days. In a subsequent experiment, the “five follicles per bead” design was chosen to culture in ALG, fibrin–alginate (FA) or hyaluronate (HA) for 18 days. In a third experiment, we chose the five follicles per bead in FA to culture for 30 days. The culture set‐up of five follicles per ALG bead increased antrum formation and follicle diameter compared to the other culture designs (p < .05). Moreover, under this condition, 44.44% of the oocytes from in vitro cultured preantral follicles reached meiotic resumption. A significant increase of follicle diameter occurred in attachment system and FA (p < .05), but the ALG condition reached the highest among all groups on day 18 (p < .05). Follicles encapsulated in matrix produced more estradiol and progesterone than attachment system (p < .05). The expression of MMP‐9 mRNA was higher in FA than in other groups (p < .05) and similar to antral follicles from in vivo control (p > .05). Only FA group resulted in oocytes matured. After 30 days, oocytes from preantral follicles in vitro grown in FA developed to eight‐cell parthenotes. In conclusion, a culture system using FA supported the development of caprine preantral follicles cultured in group and included in the same bead of hydrogel, improving the oocyte maturation and producing parthenotes.     

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System for a Bull Semen Production Centre

Bull semen production centres (SPC) generally present satisfactory quality control for sperm processing, but non‐standardized hygiene procedures. This study describes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system developed for bull SPC and subsequently implemented in a commercial SPC. After the identification of hazards at each step of semen processing and the determination of their risk and severity, monitoring and corrective procedures were designed to assess the system's efficiency. The HACCP system identified six microbiological hazards, 10 physical hazards, four chemical hazards and three critical control points. After the establishment of Good Processing Practices, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Sanitizing Operating Procedures, the system was validated through an audit, to identify eventual failures and to define measures to correct them.     

Development of best practices for ex situ conservation of radish germplasm in the context of the crop genebank knowledge base

Information about crop-specific best practices for ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources has been difficult to find until recently. The CGIAR, together with national and regional partners, started to fill that gap by publishing best practices on the crop genebank knowledge base (CGKB -http://cropgenebank.sgrp.cgiar.org/), a website specifically developed and officially launched in 2010 to provide easy access to knowledge about all aspects of ex situ conservation of specific crops to genebank managers and ex situ conservation researchers. A collaborative study, undertaken by Bioversity International with eight national and international genebanks, utilized the framework provided by the CGKB to develop and publish radish conservation best practices. This paper focuses on two aspects of this study: (1) Differences in procedures and practices in radish conservation currently applied in five key genebank activities, namely, acquisition of germplasm, viability testing and monitoring, seed drying, seed storage, and regeneration. While in a few cases genebanks agreed on a specific best practice to recommend, in others it was not desirable to identify one practice as superior to another, therefore a range of existing practices is described as a variety of equivalent options. The results highlight the importance of proactive genebank management aimed at meeting the standards within the specific context in which a genebank operates. (2) The framework and template provided by the CGKB in guiding the development of genebank best practices, and the CGKB as an excellent resource to widely and freely share best practices with the global community to support the effective management of crop genebanks.     

Results of Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy in 52 Dogs With Pituitary-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism

Objective —To evaluate microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). Study Design —Prospective study to evaluate the results (survival and disease-free interval, remission, recurrence) and complications of microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy by clinical follow-up, computed tomography (CT), and urinary corticoid-to-creatinine (C/C) ratios in dogs with PDH. The effect of surgical experience was investigated by comparing results of hypophysectomy cases 1 through 26 and 27 through 52. Animals or Sample Population—52 dogs with PDH. Results —Preoperative CT enabled accurate assessment of pituitary size (24 nonenlarged and 28 enlarged) and localization relative to intraoperative anatomic landmarks. Treatment failures included procedure-related mortalities (five dogs) and incomplete hypophysectomies (four dogs). The 1-year estimated survival rate was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71% to 92%). The 2-year estimated survival rate was 80% (95% CI, 65% to 90%). In 43 dogs, the hyperadrenocorticism went into remission. Hyperadrenocorticism recurred in five dogs. The 1-year estimated relapse-free fraction was 92% (95% CI, 76% to 97%). The main complications were transient, mild, postoperative hypernatremia; transient reduction or cessation of tear production (25 eyes in 18 dogs); permanent (five dogs) or prolonged (nine dogs) diabetes insipidus; and secondary hypothyroidism. Normal tear production had resumed in all but one case after a median period of 10 weeks. In the second case series (27 through 52), the hospitalization period was shorter, the number of dry eyes fewer, the survival fraction greater, and the postoperative mortality lower than in the first series. In 15 dogs in which remission was obtained, postoperative CT images suggested the presence of small pituitary remnants; in 1 of these, hyperadrenocorticism recurred. In 46 dogs, the histological diagnosis was pituitary adenoma. Conclusions —Microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in dogs with PDH is an effective method of treatment in specialized veterinary institutions having access to advanced pituitary imaging techniques. Postoperative CT findings do not correlate well with remission or subsequent recurrence of hyperadrenocorticism. Clinical Relevance —The neurosurgeon performing hypophysectomies must master a learning curve and must be familiar with the most frequent complications of the operation to recognize them as early as possible and to treat them immediately and effectively. Urinary C/C ratios are sensitive indicators for the assessment of remission and recurrence of hyperadrenocorticism.     

Fixed‐time post‐cervical artificial insemination in weaned sows following buserelin use combined with/without eCG

Fixed‐time post‐cervical artificial insemination (FTAI) drastically reduces labour requirements and increases the use of boars with higher genetic merit. This study evaluated the efficiency of eCG administration combined with/without the GnRH agonist buserelin for the induction and synchronization of ovulation in weaned sows submitted to FTAI. The sows were allocated into three groups. In the control group, the first artificial insemination was performed at the onset of oestrus and repeated every 24 hr. In the eCG+GnRH group, sows received 600 IU eCG at weaning and buserelin (10 μg) after 86–89 hr of eCG, and in the GnRH group, sows received only buserelin after 86–89 hr of weaning. The hormone‐treated sows received a single FTAI after 30–33 hr of buserelin application. All the sows were inseminated with homospermic doses (1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells/50 ml). The interval between weaning and ovulation was shorter (p < .05) in the eCG+GnRH (133.3 hr) and GnRH (135.9 hr) groups than the control (141.5 hr) group. In the eCG+GnRH group, the sows ovulated earlier (p < .05) than those in the GnRH group (44.5 vs. 48.2 hr after buserelin administration). The reproductive performance of GnRH sows was not compromised when only sows exhibiting oestrus at the time of insemination were considered, but lower farrowing rate and smaller litter size were observed in eCG+GnRH sows. The reproductive performance of eCG+GnRH sows was primarily compromised because the insemination was performed outside the optimal time relative to ovulation; therefore, it is advisable to inseminate them before 116–122 hr after weaning.     

Semen Characteristics in a Sub‐Fertile Arabian Stallion with Idiopathic Teratospermia

A 5‐year‐old Arabian stallion was managed for breeding with fresh/extended semen during a period of 8 months with a resulting per cycle pregnancy rate of 26.3%. The stallion was in good health and no abnormalities of the reproductive tract were observed. Evaluation of several ejaculates revealed that sperm production and semen quality were mostly unchanged during the period of evaluation, that sperm production was normal and that semen quality was extremely poor. The most prevalent sperm defects were abnormal heads and mid‐pieces. Most abnormal heads were microcephalic and/or tapered and considerable variation in sperm head dimensions within and among ejaculates was observed. A unique defect characterized by swollen/roughened mid‐piece caused by accumulation of cytoplasmic‐like material and abnormal mitochondrial sheath was observed. Nuclear vacuoles, acrosome defects, and teratoids were also prevalent and most sperm presented multiple abnormalities. The absence of any clear cause or any signs of testicular degeneration, combined with normal sperm production, and constant abnormal sperm production suggest an inherent, congenital disturbance of spermatogenesis as the cause of teratospermia in this case.