Cloning and Characterization of Boar Epididymal Secretory Proteins by Homology to the Human

Northern blot analysis suggested that the boar epididymis produces closely related counterparts to human epididymal proteins HE1, HE3, HE4, HE5 and HE12. ‘Full‐length’ cloning by nucleic acid and amino acid sequence similarity was achieved by RT‐PCR methods in the case of the porcine counterparts of HE3 and HE4, while the homologues of HE5 and HE12, despite their cross‐hybridization during Northern blot analysis, have not yet been cloned. The two novel porcine cDNAs were derived from moderately abundant epididymal mRNAs that were 75 and 83% identical to HE3 and HE4 cDNAs, respectively. To emphasize their relationship to the corresponding HEs, they were named Se3 and Se4 cDNAs. Their open reading frames predicted small secretory proteins with 55% (Se3) and 76% (Se4) conserved amino acids. Monospecific antipeptide antibodies to HE secretory proteins identified He3‐ and HE12‐related proteins on Western blots of porcine epididymal fluid and semen. Both Northern and Western analyses indicated that the Se proteins were produced in a regionalized pattern and accumulated in the cauda fluid.     

Effect of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) on the progression of buffalo follicles in vitrified–warmed ovarian tissues

To improve the reproductive performance of water buffalo to level can satisfy our needs, the mechanisms controlling ovarian follicular growth and development should be thoroughly investigated. Therefore, in this study, the expressions of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) in buffalo ovaries were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the effects of GDF‐9 treatment on follicle progression were investigated using a buffalo ovary organ culture system. Frozen–thawed buffalo ovarian follicles within slices of ovarian cortical tissue were cultured for 14 days in the presence or absence of GDF‐9. After culture, ovarian slices were fixed, sectioned and stained. The follicles were morphologically analysed and counted. Expression pattern of GDF‐9 was detected in oocytes from primordial follicles onwards, besides, also presented in granulosa cells. Moreover, GDF‐9 was detected in mural granulosa cells and theca cells of pre‐antral follicles. In antral follicles, cumulus cells and theca cells displayed positive expression of GDF‐9. In corpora lutea, GDF‐9 was expressed in both granulosa and theca lutein cells. After in vitro culture, there was no difference in the number of primordial follicles between cultured plus GDF‐9 and cultured control that indicated the GDF‐9 treatment has no effect on the primordial to primary follicle transition. GDF‐9 treatment caused a significant decrease in the number of primary and secondary follicles compared with controls accompanied with a significant increase in pre‐antral and antral follicles. These results suggest that a larger number of primary and secondary follicles were stimulated to progress to later developmental stages when treated with GDF‐9. Vitrification/warming of buffalo ovarian tissue had a little remarkable effect, in contrast to culturing for 14 days, on the expression of GDF‐9. In conclusion, treatment with GDF‐9 was found to promote progression of primary follicle that could provide an alternative approach to stimulate early follicle development and to improve therapies for the most common infertility problem in buffaloes (ovarian inactivity).     

A problem of the rich: Prioritizing local plant genetic resources for ex situ conservation in Israel

A priority list of 323 plant species was created through a consultative process for ex situ conservation in the recently inaugurated Israel Plant Gene Bank (IGB). The IGB is set up to preserve plant genetic resources and the endangered genetic variability of the Israeli flora. Upon its inauguration, we consulted with the country’s leading plant breeders and botanists in an attempt to create a list of the most important plant species to be included in the initial collections. The list includes crop wild relatives (CWRs), selected according to their contribution to humans: edible plants (grains, vegetables, oil); forage plants; species with potential industrial and biotechnological applications (e.g. spices, medicinal plants, aromatic plants, fibers, dyes), and species with horticultural and forestry potential. We further ranked the species on the basis of assessed values for each of seven characteristics: distribution range in the country; abundance; rarity of the growing habitats; endemism; red number index—representing imminent threat of extinction; availability of samples in Israeli collections, and genetic relationship to cultivated crops. The sum of the assessed values for these seven characteristics was used to group the species on the list into four main prioritized-collection schemes. Statistical analysis indicated that all attributes had similar influence on the collecting prioritization scheme. In general, rare species with low abundance in their growing habitats were ranked in the highest priority group, while highly distributed species were sorted together into a lower priority group. The prioritization scheme will be used to optimize the collection in the IGB with the aim of establishing its collecting activities.     

Climate and groundwater recharge during the last glaciation in an ice-covered region

A multitracer study of a small aquifer in northern Switzerland indicates that the atmosphere in central Europe cooled by at least 5 degreesC during the last glacial period. The relation between oxygen isotope ratios (delta18O) and recharge temperatures reconstructed for this period is similar to the present-day one if a shift in the delta18O value of the oceans during the ice age is taken into account. This similarity suggests that the present-day delta18O-temperature relation can be used to reconstruct paleoclimate conditions in northern Switzerland. A gap in calculated groundwater age between about 17,000 and 25,000 years before the present indicates that during the last glacial maximum, local groundwater recharge was prevented by overlying glaciers.     

Replacement of fishmeal by increasing levels of plant protein blends in diets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles

A growth trial was conducted to evaluate the growth potential and nutrient utilization of Senegalese sole fed diets containing increasing replacement levels of dietary fishmeal (FM) by mixtures of plant protein (PP) sources. Six extruded isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (55% crude protein and 8% crude fat on a dry matter basis) were fed to juvenile sole (mean initial body weight: 8 g ± 0.06) during 92 days. A reference diet containing FM as the main protein source (Control) was compared with five PP based-diets with increasing PP levels: 25% (PP25), 35% (PP35), 45% (PP45), 60% (PP60) and 75% (PP75). PP45, PP60 and PP75 diets were supplemented with crystalline amino acids to simulate the level present in the Control diet. The environmental impact of the tested diets was assessed through the determination of N and P budgets and calculating approximate Fish-in:Fish-out (Fi:Fo) ratios. Fish fed PP25 and PP75 reached a final body weight and daily growth index (DGI) similar to the Control group (P > 0.05). Diet PP45 displayed the lowest DGI (0.8 vs 1.3%), lowest protein efficiency ratio (1.03 vs 1.8) and highest FCR (1.7 vs 1.01). The dietary treatments with highest percentage of FM replacement (PP60 and PP75) displayed similar FCR values as the Control (1.2–1.0). Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein varied between 77 and 85% and were not significantly affected by the PP inclusion level. Whole body protein and energy content did not differ significantly among treatments, but protein gain was significantly higher in the Control group compared to PP35, PP45 and PP60 groups. The results indicate that Senegalese sole can effectively cope with plant protein-based diets, but growth rate and nutrient gain mainly depend on the selection of adequate plant protein blends, rather than on the plant protein incorporation level. Sole fed the highest PP level (PP75) showed good growth performance, efficient dietary nutrient utilization and a lower Fi:Fo ratio compared to the Control. The present results clearly show that increasing FM replacement level can have a positive environmental impact as reduces P fecal waste and the fishmeal used per kg of sole produced.     

Maximum vs minimum harmonization: what to expect from the institutional and legal battles in the EU on gene editing technologies

New plant‐breeding technologies (NPBTs), including gene editing, are widely used and drive the development of new crops. However, these new technologies are disputed, creating uncertainty in how their application for agricultural and food uses will be regulated. While in North America regulatory systems respond with a differentiated approach to NPBTs, the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) has in effect made most if not all NPBT subject to the same regulatory regime as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This paper discusses from a law and economics point of view different options that are available for the EU's multi‐level legal order. Using an ex‐ante regulation versus ex‐post liability framework allows the economic implications of different options to be addressed. The results show that under current conditions, some options are more expensive than others. The least costly option encompasses regulating new crops derived from NPBTs similar to those used in ‘conventional’ breeding. The current regulatory situation in the EU, namely making the use of NPBTs subject to the same conditions as GMOs, is the most costly option. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Microwave irradiation and pelleting method affected feed chemical composition and growth performance and feed utilization of sex‐reversed Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Microwave processing and pelleting methods were assessed to improve aquafeed quality for sex‐reversed Nile tilapia. The 2 × 3 experimental feeds were prepared with and without microwave irradiation of ingredients prior to pelleting with either a meat mincer, extruder or steam conditioner followed by a meat mincer. Five feedstuff ingredients, including fish meal, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, broken rice and rice bran, were irradiated separately at optimal times, according to the third‐order polynomial regression analysis between in vitro digestibility and microwave irradiation times (r = 0.681–0.942, P < 0.001, n = 42). The prepared feeds were studied for chemical compositions and responses in fish growth performance and feed utilization efficiency. The fish (1.57 ± 0.01 g initial weight) were fed ad libitum for 4 months. All proximate chemical compositions of experimental feeds, except protein, were influenced by microwave processing, pelleting methods or their interaction (P < 0.05). There were no significant effects from either parameter on water quality during the fish trial. Fish fed steamed microwave‐irradiated feed, mechanically pelleted with a meat mincer, showed the highest growth performance (weight gain 18.91 ± 0.73 g and specific growth rate 2.15 ± 0.26% day^?1) and feed utilization efficiency (feed conversion ratio 1.31 ± 0.05 g feed g gain^?1 and protein efficiency ratio 2.27 ± 0.08 g gain g protein^?1) compared with the other dietary groups. These findings indicate that microwave irradiation of feed ingredients prior to steam conditioning followed by mincing can improve aquafeed production quality.     

Effects of dietary antioxidants on oxidative stress,antioxidant defence and growth of freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) during the reproductive period in females

In this study, we examined the effects of dietary antioxidant vitamins [vitamin E (Vit E), vitamin C (Vit C) and vitamin A (Vit A)], astaxanthin (AX) and β‐carotene (βC) supplementation on oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA)], antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px)] and glutathione (GSH) levels in hepatopancreas, ovarian, muscle, gill tissues and survival rates (SR), live weight gain (LWG), specific growth rate (SGR) of Astacus leptodactylus during ovarian development. The EE, EC, EA, EAX and EβC groups were formed by addingClick here to enter text. Vit E, Vit C, Vit A, AX and βC to the diet respectively. The antioxidants did not have a significant impact on the values of SR, LWG and SGR. After 137 days, the MDA levels in the Control (C) group were statistically higher in the hepatopancreas, ovarian and muscle tissues according negative control (NC), EE, EC, EA, EAX and EβC groups. The SOD activities in ovarian, muscle and gill tissues and GSH levels in ovarian and muscle tissues were lower in the C group compared with the NC group, but GSH‐Px activities in hepatopancreas and ovarian tissues and GSH levels in gill tissues were higher. The MDA levels were statistically lower in all tissues of crayfish in experimental groups according to C group. The antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH levels changed according to tissue. The results showed that Vit E and AX should be supplemented in diets to increase the reproductive performance of crayfish, because Vit E and AX were of higher potential as antioxidants than other vitamins and carotenoids in ovarian tissues.     

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with scant epithelial components in an Angora cat

CASE HISTORY: A 6-year-old, neutered, female Angora cat presented with a history of lethargy and anorexia for 2 months and a clinically palpable and gradually enlarging, solid mass in the abdominal cavity extending from the last costal arch to the pelvic cavity.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Examination of the cat revealed jaundice, dehydration and hypothermia. Haematological manifestations included lymphopenia and substantial decrease in haematocrit value. Biochemical analysis of the blood revealed hypoglycaemia, three-fold elevated blood urea nitrogen values, increased level of serum aspartate aminotransferase and increased total bilirubin while the creatinine level was normal. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen showed a disrupted and large hypoechoic area around the left kidney. The cat was anaesthetised and the left kidney was removed, but the cat died following surgery.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: On post-mortem examination, the left kidney was markedly enlarged and both the cortical and medullary parenchyma were replaced by confluent, multilobulated, pale tan-white, firm nodular masses protruding above the capsular surface. Metastasis was not observed. Cytological examination revealed a population of spindle-shaped cells of variable size, with abundant coarse chromatin and occasionally prominent nucleoli. Initial sections of the kidney were indicative of undifferentiated sarcoma confirmed by immunohistochemistry revealing vimentin-positive and cytokeratin-negative results in all tumour tissues. Additional sections showed very small amounts of both cytokeratin-positive and vimentin-positive areas.

DIAGNOSIS: Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) with scant epithelial components originating from left kidney.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical and pathological features were similar to those of human SRCC, even though there was no evidence of metastases. Immunohistochemistry for vimentin and cytokeratin may be useful for definitive diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation, although staining of sections from several different parts of the tumour may be necessary. When a primary renal tumour is presented, SRCC should be considered as this diagnosis may influence treatment protocols and the clinical outcome.