Effect of synchronization protocols on reproductive indices,progesterone profile and fertility under subtropical environmental conditions in repeat breeder Holstein cows

The objectives were to evaluate the reproductive indices and survival analysis of pregnancy outcomes in multiparous repeat breeder Holstein cows (n = 557). The cows were synchronized to ovulate by Ovsynch, new controlled internal drug release device (N‐CIDRsynch), and once‐used CIDR device (U‐CIDRsynch). The pregnancy per AI at 28 days post‐insemination (P/AI 28) in the N‐CIDRsynch group (28.75%) was significantly (COR = 1.49; p = 0.011) greater than that reported in the Ovsynch (23.46%) and U‐CIDRsynch (21.73%) groups. Furthermore, the pregnancy per AI at day 75 post‐insemination (P/AI 75) in the N‐CIDRsynch group was significantly greater than the Ovysync group (COR = 1.35; p = 0.050). The repeat breeder cows received a N‐CIDR device had a significantly higher progesterone level on day 2 and day 4 of CIDR insertion (1.38 and 1.67 ng/ml, respectively) than those received a U‐CIDR device or the control group (p = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). The Cox regression model recorded significant associations for synchronization protocols, THI at the TAI and season of calving with the hazard of P/AI 28 and P/AI 75 (p = 0.044 and 0.046; 0.001 and 0.005; 0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Multiparous repeat breeder cows (>3) had a lower hazard ratio (HR) of P/AI 28 than that reported in the reference (2nd parity) group (HR = 0.74, p = 0.050). The repeat breeder cows inseminated at 76–80 and >80 temperature‐humidity index (THI) had significantly lower HR of P/AI 28 than those inseminated at the baseline (<70) THI value (HR = 0.73 and 0.30, p = 0.036 and 0.001, respectively). The current results indicate that the use of N‐CIDR synch protocol may achieve satisfactory pregnancy outcomes in repeat breeder cows.     

Basalt Milkvetch Responses to Novel Restoration Treatments in the Great Basin

The restoration of native forbs in the Great Basin and similar dryland ecosystems remains a great challenge for land managers. Variable soil water, precocious germination and emergence, and the presence of soil fungal pathogens often reduce plant establishment. Novel restoration treatments that increase soil water during early forb life stages, delay germination and emergence to coincide with favorable spring conditions, and reduce mortality from soil fungal pathogens may benefit native forb restoration. We compared the efficacy of three novel treatments—snow fencing, plant protection fabric, and seed coatings—to improve establishment of a forb species native to the Great Basin, basalt milkvetch (Astragalus filipes Torr. ex A. Gray). We replicated treatments plus a no-treatment control at three sites in the Great Basin in a randomized complete block design over 2 yr. To evaluate the efficacy of our restoration treatments, we measured germination, seedling emergence, establishment, and second-yr survival. The effects of snow fencing and plant protection fabric varied by site and life stage and were likely influenced by the wet spring conditions across sites, particularly the two northern sites. Snow fencing increased establishment and second-yr survival at one site. Plant protection fabric did not benefit any life stage at any site. Seed coatings increased seedling emergence at all sites but did not affect establishment or survival. Overall, second-yr survival remained low across all sites and treatments. Our study indicates that our treatments can positively affect basalt milkvetch emergence, establishment, and survival, but additional management actions are needed to improve long-term restoration success of native forbs.     

Seminal Leucocytary Profile in Beef Bulls

Despite evidences that seminal leucocytes could affect semen quality, references for the frequency and concentration of these cells in bulls are not available. The aim of this study was to determine the normal concentration of leucocytes in beef bulls and to correlate this characteristic with semen quality. First, 57 bulls from artificial insemination centres were evaluated to obtain the normal leucocytary profile values. Next, 382 bulls were subjected to breeding soundness evaluation. The average concentration of leucocytes in bovine semen was 4.73 × 10⁶/ml. Unsatisfactory bulls showed a higher number of leucocytes/field than that in the satisfactory ones. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the unsatisfactory bulls showed 6.5‐fold more chances of having higher leucocyte counts than satisfactory ones. Values of up to 1 leucocyte/field in the bull ejaculate are considered physiologically normal, whereas >5 leucocytes/field is associated with poor semen quality.     

The influence of citrus rootstocks on the relationship between the mite Brevipalpus phoenicis and citrus leprosis disease

BACKGROUND: Leprosis is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases. Leprosis‐affected plants, especially sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], which is the most widely cultivated citrus fruit worldwide, show reduced photosynthetic capacity and severe defoliation. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between the Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) vector mite and citrus leprosis disease in Pera sweet orange plants grafted on different rootstocks. Data were analysed using numerical classification and conventional statistical analysis (ANOVA). RESULTS: Both viruliferous and non‐viruliferous B. phoenicis populations increased in number on plants maintained at low soil water content. Among the evaluated rootstocks, Sunki mandarin proved least favourable for mite population increase. Furthermore, the viruliferous mite population increased more rapidly than the non‐viruliferous mite population. CONCLUSION: The Cleopatra rootstock showed low variability in leaf nitrogen content, low mite number and low leprosis severity, thereby producing the most favourable results. Under appropriate moisture conditions, the Sunki rootstock produced the best results, showing the least severe leprosis. Rangpur lime rootstock grown in soil with varying water content showed the greatest variation in foliar nitrogen content, mite number and severity of leprosis and is considered to be the most difficult rootstock to manage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of action thresholds for chronic rice insect pests in the Philippines. I. Less frequently occurring pests and overall assessment

Action thresholds as decision tools for insecticide application were developed and tested against the major insect pests of rice at four sites in the Philippines over a 13-year period. Action threshold treatments were compared to the farmers' practice, prophylactic insecticide usage, and an untreated check. Yield loss data using the insecticide check method partitioned yield losses over three crop growth stages in the same test fields. Chronic pests that exceeded action thresholds in 79% of fields were whorl maggot Hydrellia philippina Ferino (Diptera: Ephydridae), defoliators Naranga aenescens Moore and Rivula atimeta (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), leaffolders Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) and Marasmia patnalis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and stemborers Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) and S. innotata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Minor chronic pests reached threshold levels in only one site each: rice bug Leptocorisa oratorius (F.) (Koronadal), whitebacked planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) (Zaragoza) and green leafhopper Nephotettix virescens (Distant) (Guimba); brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) did not exceed a threshold in any field. Stemborers were the most important pest group in terms of yield loss. Despite the insecticide check method underestimating losses, a mean crop loss of 0.62 t/ha was measured which showed ample scope for corrective action. But loss was evenly distributed across crop growth stages (0.15?–?0.24 t/ha) reducing the impact of insecticides. Action threshold treatments overall outyielded the untreated check, more so in the two sites with highest pest density. The benefit of thresholds was to reduce insecticide usage, as a cost saving. However all the practices showed poor economic returns including the farmers' practice. Farmers' practice employed low insecticide dosages and timing was not consistent with pest damage, but yields were often similar to threshold treatments. Farmers appear to use insecticide more for risk aversion than for profit. The best threshold characters when evaluated against resulting pest density and yield loss criteria showed accuracies >?90% correct decisions. Future work is needed to improve the insecticide response rather than monitoring tools. Thresholds need to be incorporated into improved crop management, which was often found suboptimal by farmers, to take advantage of the high levels of tolerance in modern high tillering cultivars. Crop husbandry practices which improve yield potential such as selection of longer maturing varieties and nitrogen fertilizer may be a more effective pest management strategy than insecticides.     

Changes in the anti-nutritional factors of developing seeds and pod walls of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.)

Anti-nutritional factors of developing seeds and pod walls of fenugreek were evaluated which affect their nutritional value. Sucrose, raffinose and stachyose decreased with maturity of seeds in all the cultivars. Total, non-reducing sugars increased and reducing sugars decreased at maturity in all the cultivars. The reducing sugars decreased with maturity of pod walls. The flatus producing sugars were maximum in PEB pod walls. Saponin content increased towards maturity of seeds but decreased at maturity of seeds and decreased at maturity in pod walls of all cultivars. Phytate increased with seed maturity up to 95 days after anthesis, while phytate decreased in pod walls of all the cultivars with maturity. Total phenol, catechol and flavonol decreased with advancement of pod wall development. Total phenol decreased except HM 46 a maturity of seeds.     

Associations between lamb growth to weaning and dam udder and teat scores

ABSTRACT

Aims: To investigate associations between lamb growth to weaning and dam udder and teat scores measured at pre-mating, pre-lambing, docking and weaning.

Methods: Mature Romney ewes (n?=?1,009) were enrolled from a commercial sheep flock located near Masterton, in the Wellington region of New Zealand in 2017. A range of udder and teat traits were scored in all ewes, using visual assessment and palpation, at pre-mating, pre-lambing, docking and weaning. During the lambing period, each newborn lamb was matched to its dam and lamb sex, birthweight and birth-rank were recorded. A rearing rank was allocated to each live-lamb at weaning, when all lambs were weighed (n?=?1,570), allowing calculation of daily growth rates (g/day). Associations between udder and teat scores and lamb growth rates to weaning were examined using multivariable models for each udder-scoring time.

Results: Growth rates of lambs whose dams had udder palpation scores of hard, or both teats recorded as abnormal, pre-mating were lower than lambs whose dams had normal scores (229.9 (95% CI?=?213.2–246.6) vs. 254.5 (95% CI?=?245.6–263.5) g/day; p?=?0.011) and (227.4 (95% CI?=?208.3–246.6) vs. 247.9 (95% CI?=?235.7–260.2) g/day; p?=?0.024), respectively. Growth rates of lambs whose dams had clinical mastitis at docking or weaning were lower than those without mastitis (215.8 (95% CI?=?199.9–231.7) vs. 235.4 (95% CI?=?225.4–255.0) g/day; p?=?0.007) and (220.0 (95% CI?=?205.2–234.8) vs. 254.7 (95% CI?=?248.9–260.5) g/day; p?<?0.001), respectively. Growth rates of lambs whose dams had asymmetrical udders at docking or weaning were lower than lambs whose dams had symmetrical udders (204.6 (95% CI?=?189.7–219.5) vs. 240.2 (95% CI?=?225.4–255.0) g/day; p?<?0.001) and (223.3 (95% CI?=?213.9–232.7) vs. 242.2 (95% CI?=?229.4–255.0) g/day; p?=?0.014), respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Pre-mating udder palpation and teat palpation scores can be used to identify ewes whose lambs are predicted to have lower growth to weaning. Assuming a mean lamb age at weaning of 84.4 days, lambs born to ewes with a pre-mating score of hard would be expected to have a mean weaning weight that was 2.1?kg less than those whose dams had normal scores. Udder palpation, udder symmetry and clinical mastitis scores during lactation were also associated with lamb growth rates.

Abbreviation: CALW: Conceptus-adjusted liveweight     

Primary trisomics in Moss Verbena

Summary Four, out of the maximum of 5 possible, primary trisomics have been identified karyomorphologically. These are Pseudo Normal, Slender, Semi Erect and Weak, trisomic for C, A, B and D chromosomes respectively. The trisomics are reasonably distinguishable from one another on the basis of qualitative and quantitative characters, like growth habit and rate, stem thickness, internode length, size and shape of leaves and flowers and fertility. The most common type of association at meiosis is 5II+1 I followed by 1 III+4 II. The trisomics differ in the number and type of trivalents. There is a significant increase in range and number of ring bivalents in all trisomics particularly in Slender. This is attributable to a correspondingly significant increase in chiasma frequency. The reasons for this are not clear. Anaphase segregation is ordinarily normal and pollen fertility is high except in Semi Erect in which it is correlated with segregational errors. Although, seed setting is apparently normal in all except Slender, yet germinability is very poor. Greater phenotypic effects and lesser tolerance to the addition results in trisomics for the long submedian and satellited A and medium submedian D chromosomes than for B and C chromosomes.     

Formylated phloroglucinols from Eucalyptus loxophleba foliage

Two new naturally occurring formylated phloroglucinol compounds (FPCs), a dimer, loxophlebal B (10) and a cyclized FPC, loxophlebene (8) together with eight other formylated phloroglucinols (1–7 and 9) were isolated from the chloroform-methanol (8:2) extract of the leaves of Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. lissophloia. The structures of new compounds were established by comprehensive spectral analysis and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds in the literature. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani.     

Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters for body weights and first greasy fleece weight in Malpura sheep

Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters were calculated for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6 month weight (6WT), 9 month weight (9WT), 12 month weight (12WT) and greasy fleece weight at first clip (GFW) for Malpura sheep. Data were collected over a period of 23 years (1985–2007) for economic traits of Malpura sheep maintained at the Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood procedures (REML), fitting six animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. Direct heritability estimates for BWT, WWT, 6WT, 9WT, 12WT and GFW from the best model (maternal permanent environmental effect in addition to direct additive effect) were 0.19 ± 0.04, 0.18 ± 0.04, 0.27, 0.15 ± 0.04, 0.11 ± 0.04 and 0.30 ± 0.00, respectively. Maternal effects declined as the age of the animal increased. Maternal permanent environmental effects contributed 20% of the total phenotypic variation for BWT, 5% for WWT and 4% for GFW. A moderate rate of genetic progress seems possible in Malpura sheep flock for body weight traits and fleece weight by mass selection. Direct genetic correlations between body weight traits were positive and ranged from 0.40 between BWT and 6WT to 0.96 between 9WT and 12WT. Genetic correlations of GFW with body weights were 0.06, 0.49, 0.41, 0.19 and 0.15 from birth to 12WT. The moderately positive genetic correlation between 6WT and GFW suggests that genetic gain in the first greasy fleece weight will occur if selection is carried out for higher 6WT.