Use of a Piezo Drill for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection into Cattle Oocytes Activated with Ionomycin Associated with Roscovitine

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) consists of the introduction, by micromanipulation, of a single sperm into the cytoplasm of a mature egg. This technique is particularly advantageous when only a few sperm are available for fertilization, representing an important tool in preserving genetic material, especially from poorly fertile males. The results from ICSI in cattle are very often unsatisfactory and difficult to reproduce. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of a Piezo drill (PD) and oocyte activation with ionomycin + roscovitine (I + R) during ICSI in cattle oocytes. After in vitro maturation (24 h), cumulus complex oocytes were divided into four groups: G1 – the ICSI was performed without the use of a PD and the oocyte was activated with I + R; G2 – the ICSI was performed with the use of the PD and activation with I + R; G3 – the ICSI was performed with the use of the PD, but without activation and G4 – parthenogenetic control, treated with I + R, but without sperm injection. The presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days and evaluated on day 3 for cleavage rate and on day 7 for blastocyst formation. Embryo production by standard in vitro fertilization in the laboratory was 78% for cleavage (117/150) and 35% for blastocyst formation (41/150). The cleavage rates obtained in G1, G2 and G4 were similar (66.7%, 71.6% and 66.3%, respectively), demonstrating the beneficial effect of oocyte activation. However, in G3, despite the presence of the sperm and the electric stimulation of a PD, the cleavage rates were significantly lower (17.5%) compared with the groups that used chemical activation, even in the absence of sperm (G4). Despite the beneficial effects of activation, this stimulus alone, or in the absence of the PD, was not sufficient for adequate morulae formation (13.4%, 37.9%, 0.0% and 13.5% for G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively). Only in G2, when the PD was used followed by artificial activation, blastocysts were obtained (14.7%). These results indicate that cattle oocytes must be activated after ICSI to produce viable embryos.     

Assessing the usefulness of B‐mode and colour Doppler sonography,and measurements of circulating progesterone concentrations for determining ovarian responses in superovulated ewes

The main goal of this study was to assess the usefulness of two imaging modalities, namely the B‐mode and colour Doppler sonography, and serum progesterone (P₄) concentrations for determining the ovarian response in superovulated ewes. Twenty‐four sexually mature Santa Inês ewes underwent the superovulatory treatment consisting of eight injections of porcine FSH (total dose of 200 or 133 or 100 mg; n  =  8 ewes/total dose) given at 12‐hr intervals and initiated 48 hr before CIDR ^® (Pfizer Inc., Auckland, New Zealand) removal. Six days after natural mating, the ovaries of all donor ewes were visualized and examined with transrectal ultrasonography and then with videolaparoscopy to identify and enumerate corpora lutea (CL ) and luteinized unovulated follicles (LUF s). Jugular blood samples were collected just prior to ovarian examinations. The total number of CL (r  =  .78 and 0.83, p  <  .0001) and LUF s (r  =  .74 and 0.90, p  <  .0001) enumerated using the B‐mode and colour Doppler ultrasonographic technique, respectively, were correlated with that ascertained by videolaparoscopy. Circulating concentrations of P₄ were related directly to the number of healthy CL (r  =  .73, p  =  .0002) and inversely to the number of prematurely regressing CL (r  = ?.46, p  =  .03), but the accuracy of predicting the number of short‐lived CL with serum P₄ concentrations was very poor. The present results indicate that ultrasonographic imaging and serum P₄ measurements on the day of embryo recovery are useful indicators of total/normal CL numbers and both ultrasonographic techniques can be used to quantify LUF s in superovulated ewes.     

A survey of yield differences between transgenic and non-transgenic crops

In the current survey, there was no clear evidence that GM (genetically modified) crops are higher yielding than those conventionally bred&lt;fnoteref rid="fn1"&gt;1&lt;/fnoteref&gt;. Furthermore, there were no trials to support valid comparisons of yield per se. This article investigates GM crop yields, introducing the importance of hybrid vigour and a non-stress environment for higher percentage heritability selection and therefore more productive conventional plant breeding and improved crops. GM technology and crops are compared with proven plant breeding methods, with respect to hybrid vigour and the economic viability of both systems. These proven methods of plant breeding are (1) traditional landrace cropping, (2) conventional Mendelian breeding and (3) Isolection Mendelian breeding, and are also considered historically.     

A preliminary investigation comparing pre-operative morphine and buprenorphine for postoperative analgesia and sedation in cats

Objective To compare the postoperative analgesic and sedative properties of buprenorphine and morphine in cats. Study Design Prospective, randomized, blinded study. Animals Thirty‐two domestic cats undergoing surgery. Methods Cats received pre‐anaesthetic medication with acepromazine (0.05 mg kg^?1) given intramuscularly and were randomly allocated to group M and given morphine (0.1 mg kg^?1) intramuscularly (IM) or to group B and given buprenorphine (0.01 mg kg^?1) IM. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Pain and sedation scores using visual analogue scales, and heart and respiratory rates, were measured immediately before, and 30, 60, 120, 180, 300 and 420 minutes after anaesthesia. Results Pain scores were significantly lower at 60, 120 and 180 minutes after anaesthesia in group B. Group B also had higher heart rates at 30 minutes. There were no other statistically significant differences between the groups. Clinical relevance Buprenorphine (0.01 mg kg^?1) appeared to provide better postoperative analgesia than morphine (0.1 mg kg^?1) and may also have a longer duration of action.     

Hemangiosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma in the third eyelid of a horse

A 12-year-old Belgian draft horse presented for a right eye third eyelid mass and red-tinged ocular discharge of 3 months' duration. The third eyelid was excised and submitted for histopathology. On histopathologic examination, the mass was composed of both hemangiosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The horse developed thickened eyelids and hemorrhagic ocular discharge from the right eye approximately 16 months following surgery, and was euthanized. Necropsy and histopathology confirmed local recurrence and regional metastasis of the hemangiosarcoma. This was an unusual case because there were two distinct neoplastic processes composing the same mass that could not be differentiated grossly.     

Mitigating sea turtle by-catch in coastal passive net fisheries

There is growing evidence that small-scale, coastal, passive net fisheries may be the largest single threat to some sea turtle populations. We review assessments of turtle interactions in these fisheries, and experiments on gear-technology approaches (modifying gear designs, materials and fishing methods) to mitigate turtle by-catch, available from a small number of studies and fisheries. Additional assessments are needed to improve the limited understanding of the relative degree of risk coastal net fisheries pose to turtle populations, to prioritize limited conservation resources and identify suitable mitigation opportunities. Whether gear technology provides effective and commercially viable solutions, alone or in combination with other approaches, is not well-understood. Fishery-specific assessments and trials are needed, as differences between fisheries, including in gear designs; turtle and target species, sizes and abundance; socioeconomic context; and practicality affect efficacy and suitability of by-catch mitigation methods. Promising gear-technology approaches for gillnets and trammel nets include: increasing gear visibility to turtles but not target species, through illumination and line materials; reducing net vertical height; increasing tiedown length or eliminating tiedowns; incorporating shark-shaped silhouettes; and modifying float characteristics, the number of floats or eliminating floats. Promising gear-technology approaches for pound nets and other trap gear include: replacing mesh with ropes in the upper portion of leaders; incorporating a turtle releasing device into traps; modifying the shape of the trap roof to direct turtles towards the location of an escapement device; using an open trap; and incorporating a device to prevent sea turtle entrance into traps.     

Predatory dinosaur remains from madagascar: implications for the cretaceous biogeography of gondwana

Recent discoveries of fossil vertebrates from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar include several specimens of a large theropod dinosaur. One specimen includes a nearly complete and exquisitely preserved skull with thickened pneumatic nasals, a median frontal horn, and a dorsal projection on the parietals. The new materials are assigned to the enigmatic theropod group Abelisauridae on the basis of a number of unique features. Fossil remains attributable to abelisaurids are restricted to three Gondwanan landmasses: South America, Madagascar, and the Indian subcontinent. This distribution is consistent with a revised paleogeographic reconstruction that posits prolonged links between these landmasses (via Antarctica), perhaps until late in the Late Cretaceous.     

Early postnatal development of central corneal thickness in dogs

Objective To investigate the changes in corneal thickness that occur during maturation of the canine eye over the first months of life. Animals studied Dogs of two different breeds with ages ranging from 14 days to 42 weeks of age. Procedures The central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry every week for the first month after eyelid opening (around 14 days) and then every month until 42 weeks of age. Segmented regression was applied to capture the two phases observed in the central corneal thickness plotted against age. Breed, eye and gender were also included in the model. Results Mean central corneal thickness (CCT) values initially decreased following eyelid opening, with the lowest point being reached at around 6 weeks of age. Then CCT gradually increased as the dogs matured. Differences between left and right eye were not significant. Breed and gender effects were significant factors in the statistical model. Conclusions Following eyelid opening there is an initial decrease in corneal thickness until approximately 6 weeks of age, which presumably mirrors maturation of corneal endothelial cell function. After 6 weeks of age the CCT increases with age until approximately 30 weeks of age after which there was only a gradual increase over the remainder of the study period. A similar pattern of changes in corneal thickness in humans has been previously recorded.