Effects of Matrix Filtration of Low-Quality Boar Semen Doses on Sperm Quality

The aim of this work was to develop a method to enhance the sperm parameters of ejaculates with low sperm quality from Piétrain boars. Seminal doses were filtered through columns of DEAE Sephadex (length 2.5 ± 0.5 cm), CM Sephadex (length 5 ± 0.5 cm), glass wool (length 2 ± 0.5 cm) or glass bead (length 10 ± 0.5 cm), with an exit flow rate of 1 ml/40 s in all cases. For each male, 10 ml of the sperm cell-rich fraction diluted at 1 : 6 were filtered. Sperm quality was assessed before and after filtration. Sperm morphology, sperm motility and sperm concentration were determined using the computer program sca ^® 2002 Production, and sperm viability was evaluated by fluorescence multistaining. Osmotic resistance test and hyperosmotic resistance test were used to determine the osmotic resistance of spermatozoa, whereas l -lactate production estimated the metabolic activity. Results showed a decrease of sperm concentration and osmotic resistance of spermatozoa after filtration in the four matrixes. However, an increase in the frequency of viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome after filtration in glass bead columns and an increase of morphologically normal spermatozoa after filtration in Sephadex CM-50, glass wool and glass bead columns were observed. Despite the decrease in the frequency of progressive motile spermatozoa, l -lactate production and mitochondrial sheath integrity maintained constant after filtration. Our findings indicate that column filtration is an effective method to enhance the sperm quality by selecting viable and morphologically normal spermatozoa without altering DNA, plasma membrane, mitochondrial sheath integrity or inducing premature acrosome reaction.     

Effect of topical 1% tropicamide on Schirmer tear test results in clinically normal horses

Objective  To observe the effect of topical 1% tropicamide on equine tear production as measured by Schirmer I tear test.
Materials and methods  Fourteen adult horses received one drop of 1% tropicamide ophthalmic solution in one eye and the opposite eye served as the control. The tear production in both eyes was tested at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h after 1% tropicamide administration.
Results  Measurements made 1 h after treatment revealed a significant reduction in Schirmer tear test values in tropicamide treated eyes ( P  = 0.002). The observed decrease in tear production was maintained up to 4 h after treatment ( P  = 0.002). Although tropicamide-induced decrease in STT values was observed in the treated eyes, the contralateral eyes did not show significant changes in Schirmer tear test results.
Conclusion  Single dose of topical 1% tropicamide resulted in statistically significant reduction in Schirmer tear test values in clinically normal horses.     

Gonadosomatic index and testis morphology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in rivers contaminated with estrogenic chemicals

To study the effect of estrogenic chemicals on fish, the gonadosomatic index (GSI = [testis weight/body weight] x 100) and testis histology of mature common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from 2 contaminated sites (Ishizu and Wada rivers, Osaka) and a control site were examined between June 1998 and March 2001. The concentration of nonylphenol, bisphenol A and 17beta-estradiol in the Ishizu river was 3-4 times higher than in the Wada river. In the pre-breeding and breeding seasons, there were no significant differences in body weight among carp from the 3 sites, the body weight of Ishizu river carp being significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of Wada river fish only in the post-breeding season. The GSI and testis weight in fish from the Ishizu river were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in control fish during all phases of gonadal cycle and lower than in Wada river fish in the pre-breeding and post-breeding season. No histological abnormalities were found in the testes of the males examined. Histological observation of the testes revealed a delay in the onset of spermatogenesis in fish from the Ishizu river compared with those from the other sites. These results clearly imply that the estrogenic chemicals in the Ishizu river adversely affect the testis development of the fish.     

Nematodes parasitizing domestic ruminants in Afghanistan.

A total of 12 nematode species were determined in the collection recovered from domestic ruminants in Afghanistan. Ten of them were found for the first time in this region: Trichocephalus globulosus, Trichostrongylus probolurus, Cooperia bisonis, Nematodirus spathiger, N. abnormalis, Thelazia rhodesi, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Haemonchus contortus, Dictyocaulus filaria and Oesophagostomum radiatum. Morphological and metrical characteristics of T. globulosus, T. skrjabini and C. bisonis, based on our own material, are added.     

Effect of stale seedbed preparations and subsequent weed control in lettuce (cv. Iceboll) on weed densities

The effects of stale seedbed preparations and several weed control methods on the emergence of weeds in lettuce were studied. The specific goal was to evaluate the use of a stale seedbed in combination with chemical or mechanical weed control methods in the field. Depending on location and year, stale seedbed preparations followed by weed control prior to planting reduced the amount of weeds during crop growth by 43–83%. Control of the emerged seedlings after a stale seedbed preparation was more effective with glyphosate than with a rotary harrow. Covering the rotary harrow during control to prevent light reaching the soil improved its effect on the weed density during crop growth in two of 3 years. Radiation with far red light (FR) did not reduce the number of emerging weeds in this study. Mechanical control by finger weeder, torsion weeder and hoe was applied without stale seedbed preparations. These measures reduced the weed densities by 88–99%, compared with the untreated control and were more effective than chemical weed control with carbetamide and chlorpropham. The results show that the stale seedbed technique in combination with mechanical control of emerging weeds can reduce the weed population during crop growth as effectively as chemical control. The technique may therefore help reduce the use of herbicides in lettuce crops in the future.     

Combined or individual effects of dietary magnesium and selenium nanoparticles on growth performance,immunity, blood biochemistry and antioxidant status of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) reared in freshwater

This study was conducted to investigate effects of and interactions between nanoselenium (NanoSe) and nanomagnesium (NanoMg) on growth, humoral immunity, serum biochemistry and antioxidant capacity of juvenile Asian seabass Lates calcarifer reared in freshwater. Four groups of fish with an average weight of 32.78 ± 2.23 g were fed one of the experimental diets for 6 weeks: (a) control (basal diet); (b) NanoSe (basal diet + 4 mg NanoSe/kg diet); (c) NanoMg (basal diet + 500 mg NanoMg/kg diet); and (d) combination (basal diet + 4 mg NanoSe/kg diet + 500 mg NanoMg/kg diet). Fish fed with NanoSe‐supplemented diets (NanoSe and combination) showed higher weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake. The combination of NanoSe and NanoMg enhanced the immune response. Also, fish fed on combination diet showed higher serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase levels but lower glucose concentration. The activities of liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were not different among all groups, but liver malondialdehyde level was lower in fish fed diets supplemented with NanoSe and/or NanoMg. It could be concluded that NanoSe improved growth performance; the combination of both NanoSe and NanoMg enhanced humoral immunity; and NanoSe and/or NanoMg improved antioxidant capacity in Asian seabass.     

Histopathology of culture‐associated skin erosions and papillary hyperplasia of Atlantic halibut,Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.)

Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), that were cultured in tanks with a smooth bottom (gel‐coated fibreglass) substrate developed papillary hyperplasia and skin erosions on the blind (ventral) side. No viruses, bacteria or parasites were observed in any sections of affected skin. Comparison of microscopic pathology with that of skin from normal, wild‐caught halibut showed severe epidermal proliferation with foci of severe mucous cell hyperplasia. Both epidermal thickness and mucous cell density were significantly greater in fish held on a smooth substrate compared to skin of healthy fish. Spongiosis was present, especially at the base of the papillary, hyperplastic epidermis, and there was a chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the scale pockets composed of lymphocytes, histiocytes and erythrocytes. Skin erosions had various degrees of epidermal loss, in some cases to the basement membrane. A predisposing factor for the epidermal sloughing may have been related to the spongiosis, and the vacuolated, degenerated basal cells. When affected halibut were cultured for an additional 28, 62 or 97 days on a sand substrate, which is conducive to skin lesion healing, there was no apparent change in epidermal thickness over time. However, mucous cell density significantly increased from day 0 to 97 during the healing process.     

Regulatory effects of reactive oxygen species on the production of PAI-1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and its related possible mechanisms

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the production of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and try to determine the signaling cascades involved in it. METHODS: 3T3-L1 cells were cultured and differentiated into mature adipocytes. Cell viability was measured by MTT. The PAI-1 mRNA expression levels were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Quantification of the PAI-1 protein levels secreted into conditioned medium was performed by multiplex immunoassay and sandwich ELISA. The phosphorylation status of protein kinases was determined by Bio-Plex phosphoprotein assays. RESULTS: In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, H2O2 significantly augmented the expression of PAI-1. Also, H2O2 activated several signaling pathways including ERK1/2, JNK, Akt, p70 S6K and JAK/STAT. Verified by protein kinase inhibitors, Akt, JAK/STAT and ERK1/2 may participate in the H2O2-induced increase in PAI-1. CONCLUSION: H2O2 markedly up-regulates the production of PAI-1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via some intracellular signaling pathways such as Akt, JAK/STAT and ERK1/2.     

Effects of warfarin on blood rheology in navicular disease

A preliminary investigation has been undertaken of blood rheology in horses and ponies, its variation in navicular disease and the changes following treatment with warfarin. Erythrocyte flexibility, measured by a centrifuge packing technique, is higher in horses (30 per cent min-1) than in ponies (23.8 per cent min-1). There are corresponding differences in blood viscosity. The high erythrocyte flexibility in horses is caused by an unknown factor present in plasma. The erythrocyte flexibility in horses with navicular disease is even higher, at 38.5 per cent min-1. Treatment with warfarin reduces the flexibility to just below the normal value. A significant fall in plasma viscosity and erythrocyte flexibility was found after treatment of four ponies with 6 mg warfarin daily for one week.