Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and porcine growth hormone on survival of the euryhaline rotifers <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachionus plicatilis</Emphasis> sp. complex preserved at low temperature

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at 50 μg/ml and porcine growth hormone (GH) at 0.025 IU/ml were tested to see whether these chemicals would reduce the stress experienced by euryhaline rotifers Brachionus plicatilis species complex (L-, S- and SS-morphotypes) during low temperature (4–12°C) storage. Rotifers cultured at 25°C were transferred to 4–12°C for 10–30 days and transferred back to 25°C for recovery. GABA or GH were added to the rotifers at three different time points: 6 h before transfer from 25°C to low temperature (6h−), on day 7 after preservation at low temperature (7d+) and on the first day of recovery. For L-type rotifers, the GH treatment before the transfer to 4°C for 30 days was effective for better survival, while the GABA treatment was most effective for the S-type preserved at 10°C for 14 days. For the SS-type, the chemical treatments were not effective when the rotifers were preserved at 12°C for 14 days. After low temperature preservation, GABA treatments with the S- and SS-type rotifers just after their transfer to 25°C induced a relatively faster recovery of the rotifer population.     

Endocrine patterns in two strains of Japanese black cattle with growth retardation

Endocrine patterns were compared in 2 strains of Japanese black cattle with growth retardation; MHO- and HSK-paternal strains (MHO and HSK cattle, respectively). MHO cattle (n=8) displayed lower serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and cortisol (31.1+/-20.7 ng/ml, 73.9+/-51.9 ng/dl, and 2.9+/-2.9 microg/dl, 1.3+/-0.7 microg/dl, respectively) than those in both HSK cattle (n=5) (64.9+/-47.6 ng/ml, 97.8+/-40.7 ng/dl, 4.1+/-2.1 microg/dl and 1.8+/-1.1 microg/dl, respectively), and the controls (n=6) (314.7+/-197.2 ng/ml, 140.2+/-21.3 ng/dl, 5.8+/-1.7 microg/dl, and 3.0+/-1.4 microg/dl, respectively). The area under the concentration curve of growth hormone (GH-AUC 0-600 min) in MHO cattle (22210+/-18951 ng.min/ml) tended to be greater than those in HSK (7887+/-6340 ng.min/ml) and the controls (2811+/-1275 ng.min/ml). MHO cattle showed a high GH-AUC0-600 min in contrast to a low serum IGF-1 concentration, as well as lower serum T3, T4, and cortisol concentrations. HSK cattle exhibited the same secretory patterns, but much more moderately. Growth retardation in Japanese black cattle exhibits some variations based on pedigree.     

Development of vaccine strains of H5 and H7 influenza viruses

To establish vaccine strains of H5 and H7 influenza viruses, A/duck/Hokkaido/Vac-1/04 (H5N1) [Vac-1/04 (H5N1)], A/duck/Hokkaido/Vac-3/07 (H5N1) [Vac-3/07 (H5N1)], and A/duck/Hokkaido/ Vac-2/04 (H7N7) [Vac-2/04 (H7N7)] were generated from non-pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from migratory ducks. Vac-1/04 (H5N1) and Vac-3/07 (H5N1) were generated by genetic reassortment between H5N2 or H5N3 virus as an HA gene provider and H7N1 or H6N1 viruses as an NA gene provider. Vac-2/04 (H7N7) was a genetic reassortant obtained using H7N7 and H9 N2 viruses to give high growth character of the H9N2 virus in chicken embryonated eggs. The results of sequence analyses and experimental infections revealed that these H5N1 and H7N7 reassortant viruses were non-pathogenic in chickens and embryos, and had good growth potential in embryonated eggs. These viruses should be useful to develop vaccines against H5 and H7 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.     

Captive Breeding of Threatened African Carp,Labeo victorianus,of Lake Victoria

African carp, Labeo victorianus, is one of the threatened endemic fishes of Lake Victoria which requires conservation and has potential for aquaculture. We conducted a series of experiments on L. victorianus aiming at producing juveniles for both human consumption and stock enhancement. A total of 79 broodstock (mean body weight = 227.06 g) were collected from the wild; packed at 200, 300, and 500 g/L; and transported by road for 7 h. All fish survived during transportation whereas dissolved oxygen decreased and total ammonia nitrogen increased significantly after transport. Females produced 46,702–86,712 eggs (mean = 68,189 ± 2397) and fecundity was highly correlated with the fish body size (R² = 0.96). Only males re‐spawned in captivity while females did not. At 28 C, females spawned 11–12 h after pairing with males. Larvae can either be fed with formulated diet or natural zooplankton. Juveniles (mean length = 36.7 mm; mean body weight = 0.46 g) can be packed as high as 60 fish/L and transported by road for 12 h with low mortality (2.7–10.3%). These results show that captive breeding of L. victorianus can be a good strategy to produce juveniles to boost wild population as well as a source of seeds for culture.     

Classification of soils supporting mangrove plantation in Kuwait

The State of Kuwait has initiated an ambitious national program to establish greenery in 20000 ha of open spaces in inland and coastal areas. Afforestation of intertidal zones with mangrove plants is being considered as a viable option for greening coastal areas. In view of this fact, experimental plantations were established using two ecotypes of Avicennia marina (Bahrain and UAE) and one ecotype of Avicennia germinans (Florida). The study consisted of two 10-year old plantations and two 2-year old plantations. Seedlings established successfully and grew vigorously on some of the locations within the site. Therefore, studies were conducted during 2002-2003 to describe and classify soils that supported maximum mangrove establishment and growth under the harsh arid coastal conditions of Kuwait. For this purpose, eight soil profiles (four each representing areas where seedlings established successfully and grew vigorously and where all seedlings died in the initial stages of establishment) were investigated and classified according to the soil taxonomy. The main soil types observed in the study site were: Typic Aquisalids, Typic/sodic Aquicambids and Calcic Aquisalids. Mangrove growth performance in relation to the landform, soil type and properties of the soil at various depths is discussed in the paper. The plant growth appeared to be the better on the typic Aquisalid soil than that on the Typic/sodic Aquicambid soils. The relative proportions of the coarse sand fraction, occurrence of the anaerobic layer in the profile and the surface layer salinity influenced both the establishment and growth of mangrove plants.     

Effect of Artificial Insemination Protocol and Dose of Frozen/Thawed Stallion Semen on Pregnancy Results in Mares

Deep intra‐uterine insemination is commonly accepted as a routine procedure for artificial insemination in horses. The motives and principles of deep insemination are well described, but the equipment used may differ. In this trial, the efficiency of two different insemination pipettes for deep intra‐uterine insemination in the mare was compared with insemination into the uterine body using commercially available frozen–thawed semen of two stallions of proven fertility. These inseminations were performed using two different doses. The semi‐flexible Minitube pipette was compared with a newly designed insemination device with a more flexible telescopic insemination catheter (Ghent device). The semi‐flexible Minitube pipette performed better than the newly designed insemination device with respect to pregnancy outcome (p = 0.008). The superiority of deep horn insemination over uterine body insemination was reflected by the better pregnancy rates obtained after deep insemination using the same low doses (30.6% better pregnancy rates) (p = 0.0123).