Assessment of field fertility and several in vitro sperm characteristics following the use of different Angus sires in a timed-AI program with suckled Nelore cows

In order to provide information that may help researchers to understand the main cause(s) of differences in bull fertility frequently observed in field trials, this study aimed to investigate conception rates as well as several in vitro sperm characteristics of different sires of unknown fertility utilized in a Timed-AI (TAI) program. Suckled Nelore cows submitted to the same TAI protocol were allocated into eight breeding groups of approximately 120 animals each. Frozen semen doses from three Angus bulls and three different batches from each bull were utilized. Approximately 100 doses from each batch were used in TAI. Sires, batches and AI technicians were equally distributed across breeding groups. Cows were examined for pregnancy diagnosis 40 d after TAI. For in vitro sperm analyses, the same thawing procedure was repeated in the laboratory to mimic field conditions. The following in vitro sperm characteristics were assessed: computerized motility, thermal resistance, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, morphology, morphometry and chromatin structure. No effect of breeding group, body condition score, AI technician and sire was observed. However, some significant differences among bulls were detected in laboratory analyses. Semen from sire presenting numerically lower (P > 0.05) pregnancy/AI also presented lower (P < 0.05) values in all sperm characteristics analyzed in thermal resistance test at 4 h (Total Motility, Progressive Motility, Average Path Velocity, Straight-Line Velocity, Curvilinear Velocity, Amplitude of Lateral Head Displacement, Beat Cross Frequency, Straightness, Linearity, and Percentage of Rapidly Moving Cells), higher (P < 0.05) Major and Total Defects in sperm morphological test, lower (P < 0.05) Length, Ellipticity and Fourier parameter (Fourier 0) in sperm morphometric analysis as well as higher (P < 0.05) chromatin heterogeneity. It was concluded that, although no bull effect was observed in the field experiment, the sire that presented numerically lower pregnancy/AI also presented lower semen quality according to the laboratory analyses performed.     

Bioaccumulation and Biosorption of Mercury by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvinia biloba</Emphasis> Raddi (Salviniaceae)

Aquatic macrophytes play a key role in nutrient cycling and in the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. Many species have been evaluated in terms of their potential in phytoremediation processes in environments contaminated by metals. Considering this kind of application, we evaluated the potential for the bioaccumulation and biosorption of mercury by Salvinia biloba as a function of (i) different concentrations of mercury ions in the solution, (ii) the exposure time of live plants and dry biomass to the contaminant, and (iii) different pH’s, besides (iv) analyzing the effects of this metal on morphological and anatomical parameters. Bioaccumulation was evaluated by subjecting live plants to treatments with concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 μg.mL^?1 of mercury in the solution and the control (0 μg.mL^?1), at intervals of 3 days (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days) at pH values of 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5. For biosorption, we used the dry biomass applying the same design, only changing the time intervals (0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). The bioaccumulated and biosorbed mercury was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. High values of mercury were bioaccumulated and biosorbed, and accordingly, as the concentration of mercury ions increases in the solution, the higher the value accumulated by both living plant and dry biomass. The time of exposure and the different pH values presented variation when associated with different concentrations in the bioaccumulation of mercury. Finally, few symptoms of toxicity in living plants were observed, evidencing the resistance of S. biloba to mercury and its potential use as a phytoremediation in water bodies contaminated by this metal.     

Fluorescent Stain Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Mitochondrial Potential and Integrity of Plasma and Acrosomal Membranes in Boar Sperm

The purpose of this study was to validate a technique for simultaneous evaluation of the plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes in boar spermatozoa, using an association of fluorescent probes: Propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and JC-1. Three ejaculates from each of four different boars, all showing motility >or=80% and abnormal morphology 相似文献   

Practical Techniques for Bovine Sperm Simultaneous Fluorimetric Assessment of Plasma, Acrosomal and Mitochondrial Membranes

This experiment was performed to develop and validate practical techniques for simultaneous evaluation of the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as mitochondrial function in bovine spermatozoa using associations of fluorescent probes. Four protocols of fluorescent probes association were defined: protocol 1: propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC‐PSA) and rhodamine 123; protocol 2: PI, FITC‐PSA and MitoTracker Green FM (MITO); protocol 3: PI, Hoechst 33342 (H342), FITC‐PSA and CMXRos; and protocol 4: PI, H342, FITC‐PSA and JC‐1. Three ejaculates from each of the four bulls (n = 12) were utilized, showing sperm motility ≥80% and abnormal morphology ≤10%. The semen was diluted in Modified Tyrode’s medium (TALP) (25 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/ml) and split into two aliquots, one sample was flash‐frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed. Samples for three treatments were prepared with the following ratio of fresh semen : flash‐frozen semen: 100 : 0, 50 : 50 and 0 : 100. Samples were stained in all four protocols and evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy. Protocol 1 did not result in a satisfactory stain, so it could not be validated. Protocols 2, 3 and 4 were validated and showed high determination coefficient to plasma membrane integrity (R² = 0.95, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively), acrosome integrity (R² = 0.95, 0.92 and 0.91, respectively) and mitochondrial function (R² = 0.84, 0.93 and R² = 0.93, respectively). These techniques are efficient for the simultaneous integrity evaluation of plasma and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function in bovine spermatozoa. However, JC‐1 has an advantage over MITO and CMXRos, as it separates two cell populations with high and low mitochondrial membrane potential.     

Identification of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers Linked to the Co-4 Resistance Gene to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in Common Bean

ABSTRACT New cultivars of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with durable resistance to anthracnose can be developed by pyramiding major resistance genes using marker-assisted selection. To this end, it is necessary to identify sources of resistance and molecular markers tightly linked to the resistance genes. The objectives of this work were to study the inheritance of resistance to anthracnose in the cultivar TO (carrying the Co-4 gene), to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to Co-4, and to introgress this gene in the cultivar Rudá. Populations F(1), F(2), F(2:3), BC(1)s, and BC(1)r from the cross Rudá x TO were inoculated with race 65 of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, causal agent of bean anthracnose. The phenotypic ratios (resistant/susceptible) were 3:1 in the F(2) population, 1:1 in the BC(1)s, and 1:0 in the BC(1)r, confirming that resistance to anthracnose in the cultivar TO was monogenic and dominant. Six RAPD markers linked to the Co-4 gene were identified, four in the coupling phase: OPY20(830C) (0.0 centimorgan [cM]), OPC08(900C) (9.7 cM), OPI16(850C) (14.3 cM), and OPJ01(1,380C) (18.1 cM); and two in the repulsion phase: OPB03(1,800T) (3.7 cM) and OPA18(830T) (17.4 cM). OPY20(830C) and OPB03(1,800T), used in association as a codominant pair, allowed the identification of the three genotypic classes with a high degree of confidence. Marker OPY20(830C), which is tightly linked to Co-4, is being used to assist in breeding for resistance to anthracnose.     

Efficacy of 2,6-dichlorophenol lure to control Dermacentor nitens

This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the efficacy of a 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) lure to control Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae). Slow-release formulations of the pheromone formulated with and without cypermethrin were prepared. Olfactometer bioassays were used to define the best dose of the pheromone and to evaluate the effect of cypermethrin with 2,6-DCP attractiveness. Sexually active males were released 15 cm from 2 cmx1 cm pieces of polypropylene treated with different odors: 2,6-DCP in a liposphere system (1.5, 30 and 300 microg--without cypermethrin and 30 microg--with cypermethrin) and 2,6-DCP in hexane (30 microg). The tests were conducted 7 and 15 days after the preparation of the odor sources. The percentages of males that oriented, or showed directional movement toward the stimulus, and their tracks were recorded. Lures (10 cmx2 cm pieces of polypropylene) treated with the best dose of the liposphere formulation (30 microg) were prepared. The lures were evaluated in horses that had been artificially infested with D. nitens. The horses' ears were infested with 3000 D. nitens larvae per ear, once weekly for 4 weeks. The animals were divided into three groups: control, 2,6-DCP and 2,6-DCP+cypermethrin. On day 0, the lures of their respective treatments were attached to the horses' napes. From days 6 to 20 after attachment, female ticks of 4 mm or over in length were counted on the ears, every 2 or 3 days. Olfactometer analysis showed higher orientation to 30 microg dose and more prolonged release of the pheromone in the liposphere formulation than in hexane; cypermethrin did not interfere with the attractive effect of the pheromone. The lures were efficient in the first 10 days after attachment, when the mean number of females was higher in the control group (24.9) than in 2,6-DCP and cypermethrin (5.4), and 2,6-DCP (9.2) groups. After that period the number of females was similar in the control and treated groups. These results indicate that 2,6-DCP lures used in a liposphere formulation can control D. nitens for at least 10 days by preventing its copulation. However, further evaluation of longer-term pheromone release under natural conditions is needed in order to validate this kind of control. In addition, the use of extra lures on the horse's tail may help to control populations on the hindquarters.     

Introduction of non-native freshwater fish can certainly be bad

In this paper, we respond to Gozlan's views of the introduction of freshwater fish, as we strongly disagree with his view and approach. We demonstrate that many real-world examples of freshwater fish introductions have catastrophic ecological consequences. We detail a few noteworthy examples, such as those of the Nile perch, carp, tilapias, catfishes, and the zebra mussel. We discuss within-nation introductions, and we explore several related problems, such as hybridization and spread of pathogens and parasites. We propose that Gozlan's analysis is biased, as more reliable data on impacts that are already widespread are urgently needed, mainly in the biologically richest areas of the world. Thus, we continue to advocate the precautionary principle, because species introductions, once established, are largely irreversible.