Early resynchronization protocols for goats: Progestogens can be used prior to an early pregnancy diagnosis without affecting corpus luteum functionality

This study aimed to evaluate the exogenous progesterone (P4) effect on the luteal function from Day 16 to Day 21 of the oestrous cycle in inseminated goats with unknown pregnancy status. A total of 54 does passed through a short progestin-based synchronization protocol and, on Day 16 of the following oestrous cycle, 27 does received a new P4 device which was retained until Day 21. Blood samples were collected daily from all does during this period, as well as on Day 24. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed on Day 30. Serum P4 values from 26 animals (G_NPSP: Group of non-pregnant does with second sponge: n = 8; G_NPNSP: Group of non-pregnant does without second sponge: n = 6; G_PSP: Group of pregnant does with second sponge: n = 5; G_PNSP: Group of pregnant does without second sponge: n = 7) were determined by radioimmunoassay commercial kits. No P4 differences were found between groups (G_NPSP: 3.1 ± 2.8; 1.7 ± 1.8; 0.4 ± 1.0; and 0.0 ± 0.0 vs. G_NPNSP: 4.4 ± 1.8; 3.0 ± 2.2; 0.8 ± 0.8; and 0.0 ± 0.0 or G_PSP: 4.2 ± 1.0; 3.4 ± 0.6; 3.3 ± 1.6; 3.2 ± 0.9; 3.6 ± 1.2; 3.5 ± 1.3; 2.7 ± 1.3 vs. G_PNSP: 4.4 ± 1.6; 3.6 ± 1.5; 3.7 ± 1.5; 3.8 ± 1.4; 3.2 ± 1.2; 3.1 ± 1.2; 3.6 ± 1.1; D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D24, respectively) or for the interaction of group and time. In conclusion, a second progestogen device had no effect on luteolysis or early pregnancy in the following oestrous cycle.     

Epiphyte communities in Mediterranean fragmented forests: importance of the fragment size and the surrounding matrix

Context

Mediterranean forests have been fragmented intensively over time, thereby yielding small and isolated forest remnants. They host a rich variety of epiphytes, which may be affected by landscape structure. Previous studies have analyzed the influence of habitat quality on these epiphytic communities, but there is little knowledge of the effects of other fragment features.

Objectives

We evaluated the impacts of forest loss and fragmentation on epiphytic communities (lichens and bryophytes) at plot and fragment scales after controlling the variation in forest structure and management.

Methods

We considered 40 fragments of dense oak forests in a human-modified landscape. We quantified their spatial attributes (size and shape), the quality of the surrounding matrix and the forest stand structure. We modeled community traits, and the presence and abundance of species at fragment and plot scales.

Results

Fragment size, shape, and the quality of the surrounding matrix were key factors that affected epiphytic richness and diversity. Larger and more regularly shaped fragments hosted the richest and most diverse communities, possibly offering a larger core area and thus favoring the entry of typical forest species. A high-contrast matrix was only favorable in small fragments, probably allowing the arrival of propagules. The species-level response was highly variable.

Conclusions

Landscape structure provides powerful explanations of the richness and diversity losses among epiphytes. Forest management should ensure the retention of the largest possible continuous forests. The management strategy of the matrix will depend on the conservation goal, since we observed different effects related with quality and fragment size.

     

Cytogenetic variation in somatic tissue cultures and regenerated plants of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary Chromosome number of morphogenic and non-morphogenic calli and regenerated plants of barley were determined. Cultures were obtained from two kinds of explants, immature embryos and seedling leaves from three cultivars, Ingrid, Dissa and Golden Promise. Callus chromosome analyses were carried out during a 12 month period in a medium containing 2 mg/l of 2,4-D. Diploid cells were predominant in all cases; although in leaf-derived cultures, retraploid cells (2n=4x=28) showed a tendency to increase as time in culture increased and after more than six months in culture, diploid cells decreased to percentages of almost 70%. Aneuploid cells were generally infrequent in all cases. The source of explant has been more important than the genotype (cultivar) and the type of callus (morphogenic vs. non-morphogenic) in the chromosomal stability of cultures as time increases. From short term cultures, only 1.85% of the regenerated plants were tetraploid, the remaining were diploids. The ability of morphogenic calli to regenerate plants decreased before any significant reduction of diploid cells were observed.     

Flavor release measurement from gum model system

Flavor release from a mint-flavored chewing gum model system was measured by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectroscopy (APCI-MS) and sensory time-intensity (TI). A data analysis method for handling the individual curves from both methods is presented. The APCI-MS data are ratio-scaled using the signal from acetone in the breath of subjects. Next, APCI-MS and sensory TI curves are smoothed by low-pass filtering. Principal component analysis of the individual curves is used to display graphically the product differentiation by APCI-MS or TI signals. It is shown that differences in gum composition can be measured by both instrumental and sensory techniques, providing comparable information. The peppermint oil level (0.5-2% w/w) in the gum influenced both the retronasal concentration and the perceived peppermint flavor. The sweeteners' (sorbitol or xylitol) effect is less apparent. Sensory adaptation and sensitivity differences of human perception versus APCI-MS detection might explain the divergence between the two dynamic measurement methods.     

Degradation, under non-oxygen-mediated autooxidation, of carotenoid profile present in paprika oleoresins with lipid substrates of different fatty acid composition

A heat-induced degradation was carried out over two crude paprika oleoresins diluted with high oleic or high linoleic oil. Occurrence of oxygen was avoided, and changes in individual carotenoids were followed over time. Degradation rate constants were not significantly different, so that carotenoid stability was not linked with unsaturation degree of the oily system. A parallel reaction to degradation, trans to cis carotenoid isomer conversion, was also denoted during the thermal treatment, and it initially showed a higher rate than degradation of cis-isomers. Both processes (isomerization and cis-isomers degradation) were finally compensated, and their development was also unaffected by the nature of the lipid profile. Under the reaction conditions, oleic and linoleic fatty acids showed the same reactivity and induced degradative reactions, equally affecting the carotenoid profile. An enhanced stability of carotenoid content and provitamin A value was not achieved with a decrease in the unsaturation level of the oily system.     

Effect of pH and ionic strength modifications on thermal denaturation of the 11S globulin of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Helianthinin, the main storage protein of sunflowers, has low water solubility and does not form a gel when heated; this behavior is different from other 11S globulins and limits its food applications. To understand this particular behavior, changes on helianthinin association-dissociation state induced by modifications in pH and ionic strength were analyzed. The influence of these different medium conditions on its thermal stability and tendency to form aggregates was also studied. Helianthinin behavior at different pH values and ionic strengths is similar to other 11S globulins except that it remains in a trimeric form at pH 11. Helianthinin thermal stability is higher than other 11S globulins but is lower than oat 11S globulin. Alkaline pH produces a 10 degrees C decrease of its denaturation temperature and also of the cooperativity of denaturation process, but it does not affect the denaturation activation energy. The decrease in thermal stability with the pH increase is also manifested by its tendency to form aggregates by SH/SS interchange reactions. When thermal treatments at alkaline pH are performed, all helianthinin subunits form aggregates, characterized by a higher proportion of beta-polypeptides than alpha-polypeptides, which is an indication that aggregation is accompanied by dissociation. Treatments at 80 degrees C are sufficient to induce aggregation but not to produce denaturation, and in these conditions hexameric forms remain after the treatment.     

Characterization of kafirin and zein oligomers by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of uncooked zein and kafirin fractions were performed through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electrophoretic profiles. Kafirins and zeins present the same oligomer and monomer compositions with the exception of a 66 kDa oligomer that is only present in kafirins. The quantitative analysis showed differences between zein and kafirin. The composition of each oligomer was established via preparative SDS-PAGE. Part of the cooked oligomers resists reduction; the presence of those oligomers could be related to the decrease on protein digestibility with the cooking process.     

Antioxidant activity of A-type proanthocyanidins from Geranium niveum (Geraniaceae)

Geranium niveum S. Watson (Geraniaceae) is a medicinal herb widely used by the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. This species is rich in proanthocyanidins and other phenolics. Previous in vitro assays have demonstrated that proanthocyanidins exhibited antiinflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, enzyme-inhibiting, antioxidant, and radical-scavenging properties. In view of its medicinal use and chemical composition, the aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts and two proanthocyanidins (geranins A and D) from the roots of G. niveum by using seven different assay systems, namely, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion (O2*-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (OH*), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and singlet oxygen ((1)O2). Two known antioxidants, resveratrol and ascorbic acid, were used as positive controls. The results showed that geranins A and D and the extracts were able to scavenge ABTS, DPPH, O2*-, OH*, and HOCl. The scavenging ability of geranins A and D was similar to that of resveratrol and ascorbic acid in the following assays: ABTS, O2*-, and HOCl. The scavenging capacity of ascorbic acid for DPPH was higher than that of both geranins and resveratrol. On the other hand, the OH* scavenging action of both geranins and resveratrol was similar. The methanol-CHCl3 (1:1) extract had a higher ability to scavenge ABTS, DPPH, and O2*- radicals than the chloroform extract. In turn, the latter was more potent than the methanol-CHCl3 (1:1) extract as OH* or HOCl scavenger agent. Neither geranins A and D nor the extracts were able to scavenge H2O2 and (1)O2. In conclusion, G. niveum roots have proanthocyanidins with powerful radical scavenging in vitro activity. This property may partially explain the wide use of this plant in the Tarahumara indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal illnesses (other than spasms), pain, and fevers associated with oxidative stress.     

Purification and partial characterization of lipoxygenase from desert truffle (Terfezia claveryi Chatin) ascocarps

A lipoxygenase from Terfezia claveryi Chatin ascocarp, a mycorrhizal hypogeous fungus, is described for the first time. The higher proportion of PUFA in T. claveryi ascocarps makes lipid rancidity the main factor limiting its storage life. Thus, the studies on LOX from T. claveryi are important because this enzyme, among other roles, may be involved in an alteration of lipids leading to consumer rejection. The enzyme has been purified to apparent homogeneity by phase partitioning in the presence of Triton X-114, followed by two steps of cation-exchange chromatography. The purified T. claveryi LOX preparation consisted of a single major band with an apparent molecular mass of 66 kDa after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzymic activity exhibited a strong specificity toward linoleic and linolenic acids as substrates, while only 32% activity was observed using gamma-linolenic acid. The pH optimum of this enzyme was pH 7.0. When the enzyme reacted with linoleic acid, it produced a single peak, which comigrated with standard 13-hydroperoxy-octadecadienoic acid; 13-hydroperoxy-octadecatrienoic acid was produced during the reaction with linolenic acid.     

Thermal degradation products formed from carotenoids during a heat-induced degradation process of paprika oleoresins (Capsicum annuum L.)

The high-temperature treatment of paprika oleoresins (Capsicum annuum L.) modified the carotenoid profile, yielding several degradation products, which were analyzed by HPLC-APCI-MS. From the initial MS data, compounds were grouped in two sets. Set 1 grouped compounds with m/z 495, and set 2 included compounds with m/z 479, in both cases for the protonated molecular mass. Two compounds of the first set were tentatively identified as 9,10,11,12,13,14,19,20-octanor-capsorubin (compound II) and 9,10,11,12,13,14,19,20-octanor-5,6-epoxide-capsanthin (compound IV), after isolation by semipreparative HPLC and analysis by EI-MS. Compounds VII, VIII, and IX from set 2 were assigned as 9,10,11,12,13,14,19,20-octanor-capsanthin and isomers, respectively. As these compounds were the major products formed in the thermal process, it was possible to apply derivatization techniques (hydrogenation and silylation) to analyze them by EI-MS, before and after chemical derivatization. Taking into account structures of the degradation products, the cyclization of polyolefins could be considered as the general reaction pathway in thermally induced reactions, yielding in the present study xylene as byproduct and the corresponding nor-carotenoids.