Biochemical and Protein Profile of Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Uterine Horn Fluid During Early Pregnancy

South American camelids show high embryo loss rate, during the first 60 days of pregnancy. One of the factors which may be related to this situation is that over 98% of the embryos implant in the left uterine horn (LUH) even though both ovaries contribute similarly to ovulation. There is scarce information about the uterine environment of female camelids at any physiological state that could explain the capability of the LUH to attract the embryo and maintain pregnancy. We describe, for the first time, the biochemical and protein profile of uterine fluid (UF), addressing the right and LUH environment in non‐pregnant and pregnant alpacas. Different substrates, electrolytes and metabolites were assayed in both uterine horn fluids. Small changes were observed in glucose and total protein levels, which were more noticeable during pregnancy. In addition, 10 specific proteins were found in the left horn fluid in 5‐week‐pregnant alpacas, and two protein bands were identified in non‐pregnant alpaca right horn fluid. These results would provide basic information for identification of possible markers for pregnancy diagnosis, reproductive diseases and hormone‐treated animals evaluation and hence contributing to improve the pregnancy rate.     

Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona from Argentina reveals four new genotypes

Outbreaks of leptospirosis occur regularly in Argentina, but little is known about their epidemiological relationships. We have analyzed the genetic diversity of a collection of 16 strains of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona isolated from animals and humans in Argentina during the past 45 years. Genotyping was performed by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) using the loci VNTR4, VNTR7, VNTR9, VNTR10, VNTR19, VNTR23 and VNTR31, as described by Majed et al. [Identification of variable-number tandem-repeat loci in Leptospira interrogans sensu stricto. J Clin Microbiol 2005;43:539-45]. Clustering analysis revealed four new distinct MLVA genotypes, with a dominant one. Strains with this genotype were consistently isolated since 1960 to the present, mainly from cows and pigs, but also from humans, representing 75% of the total strains studied. These strains coexisted temporally and geographically with isolates presenting the other new genotypes. VNTR4 locus, with four different alleles, presented the highest diversity between the VNTR loci analyzed. MLVA patterns obtained will be useful for future diagnostic and epidemiological tracing analysis.     

Different Doses of Porcine Luteinizing Hormone in Precocious Puberty Induction in Gilts

The use of hormonal protocols in puberty induction and synchronization of oestrus has lead to an increase in the efficiency of replacement gilts. The aim of this study was to evaluate different doses of porcine LH in precocious puberty induction and oestrus synchronization in a homogeneous group of gilts. Sixty-seven homogeneous prepubertal gilts (Camborough 22) at 137 +/- 4 days of age and 87 +/- 7 kg were treated with three different hormonal protocols: T1--600 UI of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG; Novormon) and after a 72-h period 5 mg of LH (Lutropin); T2--600 UI of eCG and a 72-h period 2.5 mg of LH; T3--600 UI of eCG and a 72-h period 1.25 mg of LH. The ovaries were examined at slaughter, on day 6 after the hormonal treatment. There were no statistical differences (p > 0.05) between the different LH doses in the percentage of the detected oestrus (T1 = 42.85%; T2 = 60.87%, T3 = 52.18%), oestrus duration (T1 = 41.44 +/- 16.30 h; T2 = 48.57 +/- 16.29 h, T3 = 39.33 +/- 11.42 h), number of corpora lutea (T1 = 9.61 +/- 5.43; T2 = 9.86 +/- 3.32, T3 = 8.13 +/- 5.52) and percentage of animals presenting ovarian cystic degeneration (T1 = 33.33%; T2 = 39.13%, T3 = 39.13%). The T2 (2.5 mg of LH) presented the lowest dispersion (p < 0.05) of the LH-ovulation interval (T1 = 37.17 +/- 4.07 h; T2 = 38.26 +/- 2.84 h; T3 = 36.25 +/- 5.69 h). The LH dose reduction to 2.50 and 1.25 mg presented equal results with the recommended dose of 5.0 mg, and could be used in the precocious induction of oestrus in gilts. The 2.5-mg LH dose showed the lowest dispersion of ovulation and it can be used in fixed-time artificial insemination programmes.     

Correlation of bois noir disease with nettle and vector abundance in northern Italy vineyards

The phytoplasmas associated with bois noir (BN) tuf-type a are transmitted to grapevines by means of Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret using Urtica dioica L. as the inoculum source. In the period 2003–2008, a research was carried out in six vineyards of northern Italy where a large amount of nettles in the ditches surrounding vineyards was detected. The aim was to establish the nettle control effects on the presence of H. obsoletus and new symptomatic grapevines. PCR and RFLP analyses showed the presence of the BN tuf-type a phytoplasmas in symptomatic grapevines of all vineyards and in the vector. Weed control strategies along ditches were always associated with decreases in nettle coverage and H. obsoletus numbers. A reduction in the percentage of new symptomatic grapevines occurred in all vineyards except for one vineyard where the least reduction in nettle and H. obsoletus was observed. The decrease in H. obsoletus population was significantly correlated with a decrease in nettles along ditches, and the reduction in H. obsoletus population was correlated with a decrease in incidence of new symptomatic grapevines compared with the incidence before the application of weed control measures. Nettle weeding can reduce the incidence of BN tuf-type a, but weed control costs and impacts need to be considered.     

Effect of Straw on Yield Components of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Rice-Rice Cropping System

Field experiments were conducted at the Directorate of Rice Research experimental farm, ICRISAT campus, Patancheru, Hyderabad, during 1998–2000 for five consecutive seasons (three wet and two dry seasons) with five treatments [T1 – 100 % straw incorporation; T2 – 50 % straw incorporation; T3 – 100 % straw + green manure (GM) incorporation; T4 – 100 % straw burning and T5 – 100 % straw removal (control)] along with the recommended dose of fertilizers to evaluate the effect of different crop residue management (CRM) practices on yield components and yield of rice in rice–rice cropping sequence. The ammonium N measured at active tillering was higher in 100 % straw‐added plots over 50 % straw addition and straw removal with maximum values in the straw + GM‐incorporated plots. Among the yield components, tillers, panicles and spikelets were influenced from the second season of residue incorporation with significant increase in 100 % straw‐added treatments. The increase in tiller and panicle number could be attributed to the increased NH₄‐N in these treatments, which is evident from the significant correlation between tiller number and NH₄‐N (r = 0.82**) and panicle number and NH₄‐N (r = 0.87**). The influence of residue treatments on rice grain yield was observed from the third season onwards where incorporation of straw alone or in combination with GM and burning of straw significantly increased grain and straw yields. Grain yield showed significant positive correlation with the number of tillers (r = 0.74*–0.81**) and panicles (r = 0.74*–0.84**) in three treatments (T1, T3 andT4) where grain yields were significantly higher. The regression analysis showed that 57–66 % and 64–75 % of the variation in yield could be explained by tillers and panicles together in these three treatments during wet and dry seasons respectively. Thus, CRM practices such as addition of 100 % straw either alone or with GM and straw burning influenced the yield components (tillers, panicles and spikelets) positively and thereby increased rice grain yields.     

Behavioural strategy of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in response to different kinds of boats in the waters of Lampedusa Island (Italy)

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Evaluation of Datura stramonium and Nicandra physaloides as reservoirs of tomato severe rugose virus and whiteflies

Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) is the most important begomovirus transmitted and spread by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in tomato crops in Brazil. Cultural practices are being adopted, along with insecticides, for controlling this virus. However, little is known about the importance of weeds in the pathosystem, which can contribute to the failure of these practices. This work aimed to evaluate the role of Datura stramonium and Nicandra physaloides as alternative hosts of ToSRV and verify the viral influence on the biological performance of Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) cryptic species. N. physaloides was a better alternative host for ToSRV when combined with MEAM1 whiteflies, while D. stramonium was mostly a good host for whitefly reproduction. Viral infection improved MEAM1 performance on both host plants but affected MED performance negatively. These data suggest that both weeds can be of some importance for the pathosystem, and their control should be included in management programmes.     

Haematological and biochemical reference values for the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Haematological and biochemical reference values were established from 45 clinically healthy koalas. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences for sex and season of sampling. Immature koalas had significantly higher alkaline phosphatase and inorganic phosphate values, and significantly lower total protein concentrations due to low globulins values. Enzyme reference values tended to be wide and could limit their usefulness in detecting disease. In the reference values for leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes, the inclusion of low values which were not actually seen may interfere with the detection of reduced levels due to disease.