Zinc source modulates zootechnical characteristics,intestinal features,humoral response,and paraoxonase (PON1) activity in broilers

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The current experiment was performed to find the potential effect of inorganic and organic forms of zinc (Zn) on growth, intestinal histomorphology, immune...     

Root system response of selected lowland Thai rice varieties as affected by cultivation method and potassium rate under alternate wetting and drying irrigation

ABSTRACT

Root system is an important factor for crop productivity under water- and nutrient-limited environments. A pot study was conducted to evaluate root system response of three Thai rice varieties (Pathumthani 1, RD57, RD41) under three cultivation methods (dry direct seeding [DDS], wet direct seeding [WDS], transplanting [TP]) and three levels of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (–5, –15, –30 kPa). A second pot experiment examined the effect of potassium (K) rates (0, 80, 120, 160 kg ha^–1) on root system response of the same varieties under DDS and TP subjected to alternate wetting and drying at –5 kPa. Pathumthani 1 was more tolerant to moisture stress; RD57 and RD41 showed an inconsistent response to moisture-deficit conditions. Rice plant under TP was more sensitive to moisture stress; rice plant performed better under DDS even at the highest soil moisture stress of –30 kPa. K application at the rate of 120 kg ha^–1 as basal under DDS was optimum for root system development of Pathumthani 1, while RD57 and RD41 had higher actual root length at the same K rate regardless of cultivation methods. Alternate wetting and drying up to –30 kPa could be safely applied for the three tested varieties. The performance of root system of Pathumthani 1 was better under DDS method of cultivation. K fertilization at 120 kg ha^–1 can be recommended as optimum rate under water-saving cultivation techniques for the three tested varieties.     

Quality evaluation of different honey samples produced in Peshawar valley

The present study was designed to evaluate different honey samples obtained from local market for their quality parameters for assessment of their feasibility for foreign export by comparing it with international standards. The study was conducted at PCSIR laboratories complex, Peshawar, during 2006. The tested samples were evaluated for moisture content, Ash percentage, acid content, HMF and reducing sugars percentage. The moisture content of locally produced honey was in the range of 14.5 to 18.23%. The ash content of locally produced honey samples ranged between 0.047-0.35 which is within the standard limits. The acid content of the honey samples ranged between 19.5 and 38.0 meq kg(-1). The HMF contents of locally produced honeys ranged from 5.3 to 23.20 mg kg(-1). The content of reducing sugar of the tested samples ranged between 43.14 and 81.40% for the tested samples of locally produced honey. All of the samples were found to be in acceptable range of international standards for all of the tested parameters except for only one sample with lower reducing sugars. These samples were marked to be according to the international standards and are healthy for human consumption.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydophila spp. infection in ewes in the northeast of Algeria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate prevalence of Chlamydophila spp. antibodies and to investigate risk factors associated with chlamydial infection in 552 ewes between March 2011 and January 2012 in the province of Constantine. Anti-Chlamydophila antibodies were detected using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in 24.5 % of examined sera. Of the herds, 70.4 % had at least one seropositive animal. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered in order to collect information on individual animal health and herd management practices. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors related to Chlamydophila seropositivity. Univariable analysis revealed 17 variables with p?<?0.25 that were offered to the multivariable logistic regression model which in turn identified 12–23 months age group (OR?=?5.903, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.690; 20.618) and not using disinfectants (OR?=?2.099, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.314; 8.065) as risk factors for Chlamydophila spp. seropositivity. Moreover, occurrence of stillbirth problem (OR?=?3.682, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.825; 7.430) and 5–10 % mortality rate in young lambs (OR?=?2.584, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.058; 6.310) were significantly associated with seropositivity to Chlamydophila spp. On the other hand, availability of veterinary service was identified as a protective factor (OR?=?0.161, 95 % CI (OR)?=?0.051; 0.511).     

Soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa

Egg yolk is routinely used as a cryoprotectant in semen extenders. However, it may contain cryoprotective antagonists, and there are hygienic risks associated with its use. Proteins of plant origin, like soya-lecithin, lack these hazards. The aim of this study was to use soya-lecithin as a cryoprotectant in extender and to investigate its effects on in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. Semen from three buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing 5.0%, 10% or 15% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were assessed post-dilution, pre-freezing and post-thaw. In Post-dilution and pre-freezing, the values for motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability remained higher (p ≤ 0.05) in extenders containing 10% soya-lecithin and control compared with extender containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. However, motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher (p < 0.05) in extender containing 10% soya-lecithin compared with control and extenders containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. Semen from two buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing either 10% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Higher (p < 0.05) fertility rate was recorded in buffaloes inseminated with semen containing 10% soya-lecithin (56%) compared with 20% egg yolk (41.5%). The results suggest that 10% soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa and can be used as an alternate to egg yolk in cryopreservation of buffalo semen.     

Combining ability analysis to identify suitable parents for heterosis in seed cotton yield,its components and lint % in upland cotton

Combining ability and heterosis were studied in a 6 × 6 diallel cross to see the nature of gene action in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during 2002 to 2004. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the F₁ and F₂ hybrid means and their respective six parental values for all the traits examined. In both generations, the mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were also highly significant. SCA genetic variances were greater than GCA and more important for the traits, i.e. boll weight, boll number and seed cotton yield per plant, showing the predominance of non-additive gene action. Lint % in both generations and boll weight in F₂s only were controlled by additive type of gene action due to maximum GCA variances. Cultivar CIM-1100 was found to be the best general combiner and its utilization produced valuable hybrids with desirable SCA in both generations. F₁ and F₂ hybrids, viz., CIM-1100 × CRIS-9, CIM-1100 × FH-682, CIM-1100 × BH-36 and CIM-109 × CIM-1100 as high × low and low × high parents performed well in SCA determination, outstanding mean performance and heterosis. Better SCA effects associated with useful heterosis were more pronounced for yield traits. In F₁ hybrids, maximum heterosis was observed for seed cotton yield followed by boll number, boll weight and lint %. The heterosis over better parent was +3.13 to +65.63% for bolls per plant, +0.75 to +24.40% for boll weight, +0.82 to +115.22% for seed cotton yield and +0.27 to +3.88% for lint %. Involvement of CIM-1100 in most of the F₁ and F₂ hybrids resulted in the synthesis of superior genotypes for most of the traits studied. Inbreeding depression was elevated in good performing hybrids and was the highest for seed cotton yield. Highest yielding F₁ hybrids yielded lesser in the subsequent generation due to over-dominance and inbreeding depression, whereas moderate yielding F₁ hybrids were found more stable even passing through process of segregation due to additive gene action. The combined performance of F₁ and F₂ hybrids could be a good indicator to identify the most promising populations to be utilized either as F₂ hybrids or as a resource population for further selection.     

斑马鱼端脑的微细形态与结构

为了深入了解斑马鱼端脑的微细形态和超微结构,采用光镜和电镜技术对斑马鱼端脑进行观察研究。斑马鱼端脑由左、右嗅球和左、右大脑半球构成。嗅球前方有一对嗅神经,后端伸出嗅茎与大脑半球联系。光镜下,嗅球组织结构从外向内依次为上皮层、神经纤维层、小细胞层和内部细胞层。大脑半球外部覆盖很薄的大脑皮,基部为纹状体,两者之间的腔隙为公共脑室。纹状体由神经核团和神经纤维构成。神经核团分布于纹状体周缘,主要有连前核、背嗅核、侧嗅核、视前核和脚内核等。神经纤维包括横行的前连合,纵行和斜行的中央嗅束和侧嗅束。电镜下,嗅球分层明显,可观察到僧帽细胞、神经胶质细胞和众多突触。大脑半球中可见神经胶质细胞、突触以及血脑屏障系统等。斑马鱼端脑形态结构与大多数硬骨鱼相似,但有个别核团存在差异。实验结果可为斑马鱼神经生物学模型的建立与应用提供有效的理论基础。     

An overview of the ongoing insights in selenium research and its role in fish nutrition and fish health

In the present review, the ongoing researches about selenium research in fish nutrition have been comprehensively discussed. Selenium research is getting popularity in fish nutrition as it is required for the normal growth and proper physiological and biochemical functions in fish. Its deficiency or surplus amounts create severe problems in fish. It is available as inorganic form, organic form, and nano form. In fish, most of the previous research is about the selenium requirements for fish by using only one selenium source mainly the inorganic one. Selenium shows maximum biological activity and bioavailability when it is supplied in proper form. However, to differentiate the more bioavailable and less toxic form of selenium, sufficient information is needed about the comparative bioavailability of different selenium forms in different fish species. In fish, important data about the new forms of selenoproteins is still scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the determination and elucidation of the new selenoproteins in fish through the utilization of recent approaches of molecular biology and proteomics. The adaptation of these new approaches will replace the old fashioned methodologies regarding the selenium research in fish nutrition. Moreover, the use of molecular biology and proteomics-based new approaches in combination with selenium research will help in optimizing the area of fish nutrition and will improve the feed intake, growth performance, and more importantly the flesh quality which has a promising importance in the consumer market.     

Genome-wide association study and metabolic pathway prediction of barrenness in maize as a response to high planting density

Increasing the planting density is one way to enhance grain production in maize.However,high planting density brings about growth and developmental defects such as barrenness,which is the major factor limiting grain yield.In this study,the barrenness was characterized in an association panel comprising 280 inbred lines under normal (67 500 plants ha^–1,ND) and high (120 000 plants ha^–1,HD) planting densities in 2017 and 2018.The population was genotyped using 776 254single n...