Fracture of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in a bull and a cow

Two cases of extensor process fracture of the distal phalanx in the forelimb in a Holstein bull and a lactating Holstein cow are described. Each animal showed acute onset of severe lameness with a gait characterised by lengthening of the cranial phase of the step in order to place more weight on the heel. Mild swelling and a localised pain response upon application of deep pressure above the coronet were also observed. A definitive diagnosis was made by radiography with complementary ultrasonography, which provided the best definition of the fracture fragment over the dorsal aspect of the distal interphalangeal joint. Applying a wooden block to a sound claw for three weeks was curative and provided a good prognosis in both cases.     

Molecular mapping of a gene conferring resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (black root) in sugar beet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Caused by Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechsler, Aphanomyces root rot is a serious disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), for which sources of resistance are scarce. To identify the segregation pattern of the rare resistance trait found in Japanese sugar beet line ‘NK-310mm-O’, F₁ and BC₁F₂ seedings, drawn from a cross between ‘NK-310mm-O’ and susceptible line ‘NK-184mm-O’, were inoculated with zoospores and their survival evaluated in the greenhouse. Resistance segregation followed was that of a single dominant gene, which was designated Acr1 (Aphanomyces cochlioides resistance 1). Molecular markers tightly linked to Acr1 were identified by bulked segregant analysis of two BC₁F₂ populations. Fourteen AFLP markers linked to Acr1 were identified, the closest located within ±3.3 cM. Three F₅ lines and two BC₂F₁ lines, selected on the basis of their Acr1-AFLP markers, were tested for their resistance to Aphanomyces root rot in a highly infested field. Results indicated that Acr1 conferred significant resistance to Aphanomyces root rot at the field level. Based on its linkage with CAPS marker tk, a representative marker for chromosome III, Acr1 was located on this chromosome. The clear linkage between tk and Rhizomania resistance trait Rz1, suggests the clustering of major disease resistance genes on chromosome III.     

Effects of epilactose on calcium absorption and serum lipid metabolism in rats

Epilactose (4-O-beta-galactopyranosyl-D-mannnose) is a rare disaccharide in cow milk that can be synthesized from lactose by the cellobiose 2-epimerase of Ruminococcus albus. In this study, we examined the biological activities of epilactose using male Wistar-ST rats. The apparent rates of calcium and magnesium absorption of rats fed epilactose and fructooligosaccharide diets were greater than those fed control and lactose diets, accompanied by greater weight gain of the cecal wall and higher levels of short-chain fatty acids and other organic acids. Epilactose also increased the calcium absorption in everted small intestinal sacs. In addition, the levels of plasma total cholesterol and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower in epilactose-fed rats. These results indicate that epilactose promotes calcium absorption in the small intestine and possibly lowers the risk of arteriosclerosis. Cecal microbes may efficiently utilize epilactose and contribute to these biological activities.     

Validation of the sperm quality analyzer and the hypo-osmotic swelling test for frozen-thawed ram and minke whale (Balaenoptera bonarensis) spermatozoa

The object of the present study was to investigate the validation of the sperm quality analyzer (SQA) and the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test with standard sperm analysis methods in frozen-thawed ram and minke whale spermatozoa. In rams, highly significant correlations were observed in the percentage of motile spermatozoa (P<0.01) and sperm concentration (P<0.01) between the standard and SQA methods. But, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa did not significantly correlate between the standard and SQA methods. The percentages of swollen spermatozoa at 15 minutes by the HOS test were significantly correlated with the motility by the standard (P<0.05) and by the SQA (P<0.05) methods. For minke whale spermatozoa, the SVI (sperm viability index) values by the standard method were significantly (P<0.001) correlated with the sperm motility index (SMI) values by SQA. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was also significantly correlated (P<0.01) with the motility measured by SQA. Using different hypo-osmotic solutions and incubation times, the HOS test with 25, 100 and 150 mOsM did not show significant variations. Motility observed by the standard method and the percentage of swollen spermatozoa were significantly correlated (P<0.05). These results indicate that the SQA and HOS test can be utilized to assess the post-thawing motility of ram and minke whale spermatozoa, and that the SQA and HOS test values are significantly correlated in ram spermatozoa. However, sperm concentration and morphologically normal spermatozoa are not assessed accurately by SQA in minke whales.     

Seedling rot of garland chrysanthemum caused by Gibellulopsis chrysanthemi and ecological characters of the causal fungus

A new disease found on garland chrysanthemum in Osaka, Japan in 2009 and its causal agent were identified and characterized. Light brown spots first appeared on lower leaves of seedlings, and the leaves blighted or rotted. A fungus isolated from diseased plants, described recently as Gibellulopsis chrysanthemi, was demonstrated to reproduce the natural symptoms in inoculation tests. Sufficiently long, moist periods after inoculation promoted the infection even after lengthy dry periods. The pathogen also caused the disease on chrysanthemum and lettuce, but not on seven other vegetables. The fungus caused the disease after 6 months of dry storage. The disease was termed seedling rot (“nae-fuhai-byo” in Japanese).     

Peridinin from the Marine Symbiotic Dinoflagellate,Symbiodinium sp., Regulates Eosinophilia in Mice

Peridinin and fucoxanthin, which are natural carotenoids isolated from a symbiotic dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium sp., and a brown alga, Petalonia fascia, respectively, were compared for inhibitory effects on delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice. The number of eosinophils at the site of inflammation and in peripheral blood was compared for the administration of peridinin and fucoxanthin applied by painting and intraperitoneally. Peridinin, but not the structurally-related fucoxanthin, significantly suppressed the number of eosinophils in both the ear lobe and peripheral blood. Furthermore, peridinin applied topically, but not administered intraperitoneally, suppressed the level of eotaxin in the ears of sensitized mice. Fucoxanthin weakly suppressed the concentration of eotaxin in ears only by intraperitoneal administration. Although both carotenoids inhibited the migration of eosinophils toward eotaxin, the inhibitory effect of peridinin was higher than that of fucoxanthin. Peridinin may be a potential agent for suppressing allergic inflammatory responses, such as atopic dermatitis, in which eosinophils play a major role in the increase of inflammation.     

Application of laser-assisted zona drilling to in vitro fertilization of cryopreserved mouse oocytes with spermatozoa from a subfertile transgenic mouse

Development of assisted reproductive technologies is necessary to obtain fertilized oocytes in a subfertile transgenic mouse strain. Here, we showed the application of laser-assisted drilling of the zona pellucida to in vitro fertilization of cryopreserved mouse oocytes with sperm from subfertile transgenic mice (C57BL/6N-Tg(UCP/FAD2)U8 strain). After cryopreservation by vitrification, the recovery and survival rates of the zona-drilled mouse oocytes were 97% (97/100) and 94% (91/97), respectively. In vitro fertilization of the cryopreserved zona-drilled mouse oocytes with sperm from the subfertile transgenic mice was greatly facilitated (60%, 55/91) compared to that of the cryopreserved zona-intact mouse oocytes (11%, 81/768). In vitro fertilized embryos that developed to the 2-cell stage were again cryopreserved by vitrification, and after warming they were transferred into recipient females. Subsequently, six viable offspring were delivered, and all were confirmed to be transgenic mice. These results indicate that laser-assisted zona drilling of oocytes combined with cryopreservation by vitrification may be a useful approach for large-scale production of in vitro fertilized embryos for managing transgenic mouse strains with reproductive disabilities such as subfertile sperm.     

Effects of feeding high volumes of milk replacer on reproductive performance and on concentrations of metabolites and hormones in blood of Japanese black heifer calves

We evaluated the effects of feeding high volumes of milk replacer on growth and reproductive performances in Japanese black heifers. Fifty-one heifers were fed milk replacer at 9 L/day for 60 days (9 L × 60 days; n = 18) or 41 days (9 L × 41 days; n = 15), or at 7 L/day for 40 days (7 L × 40 days; n = 18). Artificial insemination (AI) was performed on heifers with ≥270 kg body weight and ≥116 cm body height at 300 days of age. The age at the first AI was 0.35 month later for 7 L × 40 days than the other groups (p < .01). However, age at calving did not differ among treatments (22.1 months). The interval from the first AI to pregnancy tended to be ~2 months longer for the 9 L × 60 days than the other groups (p = .07). Our results showed that feeding high volumes of milk replacer may reduce the age at calving via an improved rate of growth. In addition, we propose that feeding a maximum of 7 L milk replacer for 40 days may be the most appropriate rearing regime because the success of pregnancy per AI may be reduced in calves fed a maximum of 9 L for 41 and 60 days.