Estrone sulfate and progesterone profiles during late gestation in recipient cows transferred embryos produced by nuclear transfer and in vitro fertilization

The aim of present experiment was to evaluate the plasma concentrations of estrone sulfate (E(1)S) and progesterone (P(4)) during late gestation in recipient cows transferred embryos produced by nuclear transfer (NT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Blood samples were collected from recipients transferred embryos produced by NT (n=9) and IVF (n=13) at 160, 220, 240, 260 and 270 d of gestation and then at 5 d intervals until parturition. Plasma samples were analyzed for E(1)S and P(4) by ELISA. One NT and three IVF cows aborted between days 220 and 260 of gestation. Two NT and one IVF cow had prolonged gestation (over 290 d). One IVF cow had an overweight fetus (50 kg) after abortion (257 d). The patterns of changes in the concentrations of E(1)S during late gestation in the NT and IVF cows were almost identical. The NT and IVF cows that aborted had prolonged gestation and much higher E(1)S concentrations than the average. One NT cow aborted after 220 d of gestation and had a sudden high increase in its E(1)S concentration from 160 d to 220 d of gestation. The NT and IVF cows that had prolonged gestation also had significantly higher (P<0.05) P(4) concentrations than the average. These results raise the possibility that the E(1)S and P(4) profiles can be used to monitor some late gestational problems, such as higher birth weight, abortion and prolonged gestation.     

Reproductive cycle and growth of the sand dollar Scaphechinus griseus inhabiting Japanese surf clam Pseudocardium sachalinense fishing grounds in Tomakomai,southwest Hokkaido,Japan

Fisheries Science - Bioturbation by the sand dollar Scaphechinus griseus is suspected to inhibit the recruitment of Pseudocardium sachalinense, a commercially important bivalve. This study aimed to...     

Effect of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) on the fruit ripening characters of rabbiteye blueberry

Effect of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) application on rabbiteye blueberry fruit quality during the growth period was investigated. Ethephon treatment stimulated the decrement of titratable acidity, anthocyanin accumulation and fruit softening 4 days after treatment and the promoting effects continued through the investigation period. The ripening promotion effect of ethephon on total soluble solids content was observed only 8 days after treatment. Ethephon treatment did not affect the fruit enlargement during the investigation period. From these results, it is concluded that ethephon application for rabbiteye blueberry promote the fruit ripening, but the stimulatory effects of ethephon on fruit ripening were different in degree on each ripening characters.     

Polymorphisms in the canine glutamate transporter-1 gene: identification and variation among five dog breeds

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are important for terminating glutamatergic neurotransmission and protect central nervous system (CNS) neurons from glutamatergic excitotoxicity. We selected these genes as targets that may relate to canine behavioral traits. After screening four EAAT genes (glutamate transporter-1; GLT-1, excitatory amino acid transporter 4; EAAT4, excitatory amino acid carrier; EAAC1, glutamate/aspartate transporter; GLAST) for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we identified two silent SNPs (C129T and T471C) in the GLT-1 gene. We genotyped 193 dogs of 5 breeds and found significant variation among breeds in these two SNPs in GLT-1. The C129T polymorphism was not observed in Malteses and Miniature Schnauzers. These results suggest that polymorphisms in the GLT-1 gene may be useful markers for examining how the genetic background relates to the behavioral traits of dogs.     

Advanced broodstock diets for the mangrove red snapper and a potential importance of arachidonic acid in eggs and fry

Mangrove red snapper fed advanced broodstock diets containing squid meal and squid oil exhibited higher hatching rates, cumulative survival and survival activity index than those fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with mixture of antioxidants. On the other hand, fatty acid analyses of ovaries and fry of wild fish and eggs and larvae of broodstock fed raw fish revealed high arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and relatively lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels consequently showing high ARA/EPA and DHA/EPA ratios compared to cold water species. This suggests that ARA may be nutritionally more important for egg and larval development and survival in tropical marine fish and its supplementation in broodstock diets may enhance reproductive performance of mangrove red snapper.     

Mechanisms of evolution in Rickettsia conorii and R. prowazekii

Rickettsia conorii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes Mediterranean spotted fever in humans. We determined the 1,268,755-nucleotide complete genome sequence of R. conorii, containing 1374 open reading frames. This genome exhibits 804 of the 834 genes of the previously determined R. prowazekii genome plus 552 supplementary open reading frames and a 10-fold increase in the number of repetitive elements. Despite these differences, the two genomes exhibit a nearly perfect colinearity that allowed the clear identification of different stages of gene alterations with gene remnants and 37 genes split in 105 fragments, of which 59 are transcribed. A 38-kilobase sequence inversion was dated shortly after the divergence of the genus.     

Detection of antibody against transmissible gastroenteritis virus of pigs by indirect immunoperoxidase antibody test

Immunoperoxidase intibody (IPA) test was developed for detecting antibody against transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus of pigs. The IPA antibody titers in sera collected in the field from 82 pigs were approximately seven times higher than those obtained in a serum-neutralization test. The correlation between the TGE antibody concentrations in the IPA and serum neutralization tests was positive (r = +0.74). The IPA tests appears to have the potential for routine laboratory use for serologic diagnosis of TGE.