Artificial insemination with canine spermatozoa frozen in a skim milk/glucose-based extender

Due to the recent outbreak of avian influenza, transportation of frozen canine semen with egg yolk has been sharply restricted. Thus, there is urgent need to develop a novel egg yolk-free extender for freezing canine spermatozoa. In the present study, the effect of using skim milk/glucose (SG)-based extender without egg yolk on the motility and fertilizing capacity of canine spermatozoa frozen-thawed in the presence of glycerol was examined. There was a tendency for the proportion of motile spermatozoa exposed to SG-based extender for 3 h to be higher than that exposed for 1 h, but the difference was not significant. The motility and other viability parameters of canine spermatozoa after thawing were similar to those obtained with an egg yolk-based extender. When spermatozoa frozen with SG-based extender containing glycerol after 3 h exposure were transcervically inseminated into 2 recipient bitches, a total of 6 pups were obtained. These results suggest that a simple extender composed of skim milk, glucose and glycerol is useful for cryopreservation of canine spermatozoa, which may contribute to improved exchange of genetic material and efficient production of companion and working dogs, such as guide dogs for the blind.     

Large granular lymphocyte lymphoma in the skin and urinary bladder of a dog

A 10-year-old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with hematuria, pollakiuria and skin rash. Based on the histopathological and cytological examination of the skin and bladder mucosa, the dog was diagnosed with large granular lymphocytic (LGL) lymphoma of the bladder and skin. The dog responded well to the initial chemotherapy with nimustine for 3 months. Since recurrence of skin erosion and bladder wall thickening were observed, the dog was subsequently administered chemotherapy with other anticancer drugs, including chlorambucil, vincristine, doxorubicin, L-asparaginase, cytosine arabinoside, and cyclophosphamide. The dog survived for 11 months and died due to tumor-related disseminated intravascular coagulation. This is the first report of a canine case of LGL lymphoma in the skin and bladder.     

A bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide (BMAP‐28) kills methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus but promotes adherence of the bacteria

The cathelicidin family is one of the several families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). A bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide (BMAP‐28) belongs to this family. Recently, the emergence of drug‐resistant bacteria such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a big problem. AMPs are expected to be leading compounds of new antibiotics against drug‐resistant bacteria. In this study, we focused on the activity of BMAP‐28 against bacterial cell surfaces. First, we observed morphological change of MRSA caused by BMAP‐28 using a scanning probe microscope. We also studied activities of BMAP‐28 against adherence of S. aureus to fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type IV. We confirmed whether BMAP‐28 can bind to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of S. aureus. BMAP‐28 was indicated as damaging the cell surface of MRSA. In a particular range of concentrations, BMAP‐28 promoted adherence of S. aureus against fibronectin and collagens. It was revealed that BMAP‐28 and LTA of S. aureus bound with each other. Our study showed the potential of BMAP‐28 which can damage MRSA and interact with LTA of S. aureus but promote its adherence in some concentrations. This study provides new points of which to take notice when we use AMPs as medicines.     

Differentially methylated CpG sites related to fertility in Japanese Black bull spermatozoa: epigenetic biomarker candidates to predict sire conception rate

For semen suppliers, predicting the low fertility of service bull candidates before artificial insemination would help prevent economic loss; however, predicting bull fertility through in vitro assessment of semen is yet to be established. In the present study, we focused on the methylated CpG sites of sperm nuclear DNA and examined methylation levels to screen new biomarkers for predicting bull fertility. In frozen-thawed semen samples collected from Japanese Black bulls, for which the sire conception rate (SCR) was recorded, the methylation level of each CpG site was analyzed using human methylation microarray. According to regression analysis, 143 CpG sites related to SCR were significantly differentially methylated. Whole genome bisulfite sequence data were obtained from three semen samples and the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that included the target CpG sites selected by human methylation microarray were confirmed. Using combined bisulfite restriction analysis, fertility-related methylation changes were detected in 10 DMRs. With the exception of one DMR, the methylation levels of these DMRs were significantly different between groups with high fertility (> 50%) and low fertility (< 40%). From multiple regression analysis of methylation levels and SCR, three DMRs were selected that could effectively predict bull fertility. We suggest that these fertility-related differences in spermatozoal methylation levels could be new epigenetic biomarkers for predicting bull fertility.     

Prediction of dry veneer stiffness using near infrared spectra from transverse section of green log

This study examined the feasibility of near infrared spectroscopy as a novel technique for log assessment on the basis of wood property. Near infrared (NIR) spectra were obtained from the transverse section of green log and multivariate regression analysis was carried out to predict the stiffness of veneer processed from the log. The stiffness of the veneer was dynamic modulus of elasticity measured using ultrasonic method. The calibrations of veneer stiffness had moderate relationships between measured and NIR-predicted values, with regression coefficients ranging from 0.84 to 0.88. The calibration equations were applied to the test set and it was found that predictions were also well fitted, with regression coefficients ranging from 0.67 to 0.89. The results indicate that the variation of wood stiffness within the logs could be assessed using the NIR spectra from the cross-section of logs. The spectra were obtained from green condition of the log and the stiffness of veneer was measured after kiln drying. Thus, the results imply that the wood stiffness in dry condition could be predicted using the spectra collected from green logs. If the models obtained in this study put into the imaging system, the two-dimensional map of the stiffness would be visualized on the cross-section of logs. The NIR spectroscopy coupled with imaging system could compensate the weak point of the traditional methods for log assessment.