Light quality on the in vitro growth and production of pigments in the genus Alternanthera

In tissue culture, several chemical and physiological factors can influence the production of secondary metabolites. The growth response and increased secondary metabolite production generated by a high irradiance environment, can be used to determine a favorable habitat for the growth and conservation of medicinal plants. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of light quality on growth and production of secondary metabolites in Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC. (sessile joyweed), Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Grisebach (alligatorweed), Alternanthera tenella Colla (joyweed), and Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze (Brazilian joyweed) plants cultured in vitro. The species were grown in MS medium, for 45 days in different light qualities (blue, white, and red). Growth parameters and biochemical analysis were performed at the end of the study. The results show that the red light allowed a higher accumulation of biomass in most species; red and white light were great inductors for the production of betacyanin and the blue light favored the enhancement of flavonoids. In this manner, the quality of light can affect the betacyanin, betaxanthin, and flavonoid biosynthesis as well as growth patterns in the related Alternanthera species. Based on the data presented, we suggest that specific genes can encode the pigment production according to the light quality which exhibit distinct activation patterns in different plant species.     

The efficacy of a petroleum spray oil against Aphis gossypii Glover on cotton. Part 2: indirect effects of oil deposits

The primary mode of action of petroleum spray oils (PSOs) on pest insects is through direct contact. Indirect effects are, however, also possible, and deposits of the oils may influence pest populations by killing insects and/or by influencing their behaviour. The indirect effects of deposits of a new nC24 oil against the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, were therefore determined. The effects of oil deposits on the acceptance of cotton as host plant by the aphids were assessed, as well as aphid mortality rates and their success in the establishment of colonies. The efficacy of deposits of a heavier oil (nC27) was also evaluated. Deposits of PSO were toxic to A. gossypii and remained effective until 8 days after spraying. Mortality decreased with time, so that, the older the deposit, the lower was the mortality. Significantly higher aphid mortalities were achieved on younger leaves than on mature ones. Thus, leaf age proved a significant factor in the efficacy of the deposits. Consecutive prophylactic applications (at 9 day intervals) did not have a cumulative effect, and their killing power proved to be independent of one another. Thus, applying the oil prior to aphid infestations would confer only minimal protection. The mortality inflicted by the deposits was not improved by increasing the molecular mass of the oil used (nC27 oil), but the toxic life of the oil deposit was increased. Oil deposits did not deter alates from landing on oil-sprayed plants. Oil deposits did, however, affect subsequent alate and nymphal survival, and thus the establishment of aphid colonies. The impact that the oils could have on the longer-term development of aphid populations in the field was thus demonstrated. First- and second-instar nymphs were the most susceptible life stages, with > 50% mortality compared with < 10% for the other stages. These nymphs did not show the typical signs of oil-induced mortality observed in aphids killed by direct oil applications, which suggests an alternative mode of action to that of the directly applied oil. Anoxia does not seem to be involved in either process, and alternative modes of action of the oil deposits are discussed. The implications of these findings for cotton aphid control are also considered, primarily in relation to the timing and frequency of oil application.     

Optimal in‐feed amino acid ratio for laying hens based on deletion method

A total of 56 Hy‐line W‐36 hens from 28 to 30 weeks were used on nitrogen balance (NB) trial to estimate daily N maintenance requirements (NMR) and the genetic potential for daily N retention (NR_maxT). The treatments consisted of six graded levels of nitrogen in the diets (N1 = 8; N2 = 16; N3 = 24; N4 = 32; N5 = 40; and N6 = 48 g N/kg of feed), formulated using the dilution technique. The regression analyses between nitrogen intake and excretion were performed to fit the exponential function and to determine the NMR = 292 mg/BW_kg^0.67, which was applied for further calculation of NR_maxT = 1,883 mg/BW_kg^0.67. A second NB trial was conducted, and a total of 96 Hy‐line W‐36 hens were used in the same period to estimate the ideal amino acid ratio (IAAR). Twelve treatments with eight replicates and one bird per cage were used. A balanced diet (BD) was formulated to meet the IAAR and the requirement of other nutrients for pullets. The limiting diets were formulated diluting BD with cornstarch and refilled with synthetic AAs and other feed ingredients, except for the AA under study. In each trial, the data of nitrogen intake, excretion, deposition and retention were obtained in a NB trial. The IAAR determined by Goettingen approach was Lys 100, Met+Cys 88, Trp 21, Thr 69, Arg 109, Val 90, Ile 75, Leu 127, Phe+Tir 110, Gly+Ser 73 and His 29%. The IAAR determined by Louvain approach was Lys 100, Met+Cys 88, Trp 21, Thr 69, Arg 104, Val 91, Ile 78, Leu 121, Phe+Tir 119, Gly+Ser 77 and His 29%.     

Presence of melatonin‐catabolizing non‐specific enzymes myeloperoxidase and indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in the ram reproductive tract

The melatonin catabolism is very complex and not completely understood. Melatonin can be metabolized by free radical interaction, but also pseudo‐enzymatically or by enzymatic pathways. We have previously detected the existence of melatonin‐synthesizing enzymes and melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 in the ram reproductive tract; thus, in order to start to elucidate melatonin catabolism in these organs, we have investigated the presence of the melatonin‐catabolizing enzymes indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO, both IDO1 and IDO2 isoforms) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in testis, epididymis and accessory glands. Gene expression analyses by real‐time PCR showed the presence of MPO, IDO1 and IDO2 in all the organs of the ram reproductive tract and revealed that MPO is the main melatonin‐catabolizing enzyme, which is mainly expressed in the testis and the bulbourethral glands (p < .05). These results were further corroborated by immunohistochemical staining, and by Western blot. Likewise, MPO was also evidenced in epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot. In conclusion, melatonin‐catabolizing enzymes MPO, IDO1 and IDO2 are expressed in the ram reproductive tract, and MPO is the most expressed one, mainly in the testis and the bulbourethral glands. The presented results warrant further studies on the function of these enzymes and their melatonin‐metabolizing activity.     

Influence of corpus luteum and ovarian volume on the number and quality of bovine oocytes

In order to evaluate whether ovarian volume, presence and diameter of the corpus luteum (CL) have effects on the number and quality of bovine recovered oocytes, 110 ovaries were obtained from the slaughterhouse. Cumulus oocytes complex were aspirated and evaluated under stereomicroscope. Oocytes were counted and classified according to their quality (Grades I, II, III and IV). Ovarian volume was weakly correlated to the number of good quality oocytes (P < 0.05). Ovaries with CL showed greater numbers of good quality oocytes than ovaries without CL (P < 0.05). Further, presence of CL and its diameter positively influenced the probability of recovering good quality oocytes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ovarian volume is not a good parameter itself to predict important ovarian characteristics; moreover, analysis of CL, its presence and diameter, may be a good tool to improve efficiency on in vitro embryo production programs.     

Basin‐scale distribution and haplotype partitioning in different genetic lineages of the Neotropical migratory fish Salminus brasiliensis

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Genetic variability of soybean bradyrhizobia populations under different soil managements

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