Bestimmung der S-Allele in Brennkirschensorten (Prunus avium L.)

Zusammenfassung Brennkirschen sind Süßkirschensorten, welche spezielle Eigenschaften für die Branntweinproduktion und die industrielle Verarbeitung besitzen. Ihr Hauptanbaugebiet in Deutschland befindet sich in Baden-Württemberg und in Teilen Bayerns. In den letzten Jahren wurde über einen geringen Fruchtbehang in neu gepflanzten Brennkirschenanlagen berichtet. Süßkirschen sind selbstinkompatibel und benötigen deshalb eine Bestäubersorte. Ursache ist ein gametophytischer Selbstinkompatibilitätsmechanismus, bedingt durch einen S-Lokus. Mit Hilfe molekularer Marker wurden deshalb Untersuchungen zu den S-Allel-Kombinationen in 62 Brennkirschensorten bzw. -herkünften aus dem Raum Oberkirch, Mittelbaden, durchgeführt. Im Ergebnis konnten zwei bisher noch nicht beschriebene S-Allele und 14 neue Inkompatibilitätsgruppen ermittelt werden. Ursache für den schlechten Fruchtansatz in neuen Kirschenanlagen mit den Hauptsorten Dolleseppler und Benjaminer sind die gleichen S-Allel-Kombinationen (S₁S₇) in beiden Sorten. Als mögliche Befruchtersorten werden die Sorten Schwarze Schüttler (S₆S₇), Hartwälder (S₄S₇), Feuerkirsche (S₄S₁₄) und die ehemalige Sorte Dolleseppler der Baumschule Kiefer (S₁S₄) empfohlen.     

Lekking behavior in kafue lechwe

The Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) exhibits lekking behavior in which a number of males occupy small territories clustered together in discrete areas where females go for mating. Similar behavior in antelope is known only in the Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi). Lechwe lekking occurs only during a main rutting season although some breeding occurs throughout the year.     

Efficacy of a plant extract of Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. against downy mildew of cucumber (Pseudoperonospora cubensis)

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Phytopathogenic oomycetes are present worldwide and cause large losses in important crops. Because of strict regulation of copper based fungicides there is a...     

Serum and Tissue Steroid Hormone Levels in Canine Mammary Tumours: Clinical and Prognostic Implications

Hormonal dependency of canine mammary tumours (CMT) has been studied over the last few decades. However, studies assessing the prognostic and predictive potential of serum and/or tissue steroid hormone levels are still scarce in CMT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report relating serum and tissue levels of steroid hormones and prognosis in dogs. Serum and tumour tissue from 45 female dogs with spontaneous CMT were included in the study. Moreover, serum and normal mammary tissue from 13 healthy female dogs were also included as controls. Steroid hormones were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Overall, levels of steroid hormones in serum and tissue homogenates were significantly different between malignant and benign mammary tumours (p < 0.01), except for progesterone (P4) serum levels that revealed no statistical differences between groups. In malignant tumours, oestrone sulphate (SO4E1), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T) and P4 elevated tissue concentrations were significantly associated with tumour relapse and/or distant metastasis during follow‐up. A significant association was found between elevated tissue SO4E1 (p = 0.003), 17β‐oestradiol (E2) (p = 0.036), DHEA (p = 0.022), A4 (p = 0.001) and P4 (p = 0.013) concentrations and shorter disease‐free survival and overall survival in female dogs with malignant mammary tumours. The high levels of tissue steroids found in cases of poor prognosis open the possibility of additional new therapeutic approaches. Future clinical trials will be needed to clarify the usefulness of targeting steroid hormones in the treatment of this neoplastic disease.     

Nalorphine: increased sensitivity of monkeys formerly dependent on morphine

Three rhesus monkeys Macaca mulatta, formerly dependent on morphine, had increased sensitivity to nalorphine's effect of suppressing operant responding for food, as compared with two monkeys with no history of morphine exposure. Within the dose range employed, nalorphine injections produced emesis, salivation, and hyperirritability in formerly morphine-dependent monkeys but not in controls.     

Influence of a rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid mixture on carcass traits and meat quality in young Simmental heifers

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of feeding rumen-protected CLA during the early growing period on physical and chemical beef properties in young Simmental heifers. A total of 36 heifers (5 mo old; initial BW 185 ± 21 kg) were fed 250 g of different rumen-protected fats daily for 16 wk in 1 of 3 treatment groups: 250 g of a CLA-free control fat; 100 g of a CLA fat containing 2.4% of cis-9,trans-11 CLA and 2.1% of trans-10,cis-12 CLA and 150 g control fat; or 250 g of the CLA fat. Heifer growth performance variables as well as carcass weight, classification (conformation and fatness), and weights of organs and fat depots were not affected (P > 0.05) by CLA supplementation. Concentration of trans-10,cis-12 CLA in tissues (LM and subcutaneous fat) was dose-dependently increased (P < 0.01) by CLA supplementation, whereas that of cis-9,trans-11 CLA in these tissues did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups. The ratio of SFA to MUFA was increased (P < 0.01) in tissues of CLA-fed heifers compared with control heifers. Concentration of α-tocopherol in LM was greater (P = 0.01) in heifers of the 2 CLA groups than in control heifers. Other quality characteristics such as drip loss during storage, cooking loss, intramuscular fat content, and color variables in LM did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that feeding rumen-protected CLA during the early growing period changes tissue fatty acid composition but does not influence beef quality variables. Performance variables and carcass traits in young heifers, unlike in pigs and laboratory animals, are not influenced by CLA feeding.     

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) as intermediate hosts of tapeworms of the Family Anoplocephalidae (Cestoda) and the transmission of Moniezia expansa cysticercoids in South Africa

Six species of adult oribatid mites (Galumna racilis, Kilimabates pilosus, Kilimabates sp., Scheloribates fusifer, Muliercula ngoyensis and Zygoribatula undulata) and two immature stages belonging to the superfamilies Galumnoidea and Ceratozetoidea were isolated from a lawn (mixed Pennisetum and Cynodon spp.) at Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa. The mites were subsequently used in an infection trial using Moniezia expansa eggs. Tapeworm cysticercoids were recovered in G. racilis, K. pilosus, Kilimabates sp., S. fusifer, M. ngoyensis and Z. undulata, as well as in immatures of Ceratozetoidea.The percentage of infected mites was 7,6, 6,3, 16,4, 66,7, 57,1, 60,0 and 46,7% respectively. Immatures of Galumnoidea did not become infected. The highest number of cysticercoids isolated from one individual was six from an adult S. fusifer.     

Performance,carcass characteristics and chemical composition of beef affected by lupine seed,rapeseed meal and soybean meal

To test the effects of different protein sources and levels on performance, carcass characteristics and beef chemical composition, concentrates with three protein sources [Lupine seed (L), Rapeseed meal (R) and Soybean meal (S)] and two protein levels [‘normal protein’ (NP) or ‘high protein’ (HP)] were fed to 36 Simmental calves. Calves initially weighed 276 ± 3.9 kg and averaged 6 months of age and were randomly allocated to the six treatments. Maize silage was offered ad libitum and supplemented with increasing amounts of concentrates (wheat, maize grain, protein sources, vitamin–mineral mix). Normal protein and HP diets were formulated to contain 12.4% and 14.0% crude protein (CP) dry matter (DM) respectively. At the end of the fattening period of 278 days, the final live weight averaged 683 ± 14.7 kg. Neither level of protein nor its interaction with protein sources had any effects on most of the traits studied. Feeding the R diet significantly increased final weight, average daily gain (ADG), DM intake and CP intake in relation to the L diet; no differences were observed between the L and S diets for these measures. No differences were observed between the R and S groups in final weight or ADG, but the calves fed the R diet consumed more DM and CP than the calves fed the S diet. Bulls fed R diet had higher carcass weight and dressing percentage than the L groups, and no significant differences were detected between the S and L groups. Chemical composition of the Musculus longissimus dorsi was not significantly affected by source of protein. Also, the major saturated fatty acid (SFA) (C16:0 and C18:0) did not significantly differ among the three treatments. Samples from R group had significantly higher proportions of C16:1 t9, C18:1 c11, C18:2 c9 t11, C18:3 c9, 12, 15 and ΣC18:1 t fatty acids in relation to L and S groups. Although polyunsaturated fatty acid/SFA ratio was similar for the three dietary groups, n‐6/n‐3 ratio and Σn‐3 fatty acids content were significantly greater for bulls fed R diet in relation to those fed L and S diets.     

Effects of ketamine-xylazine intravenous bolus injection on cardiovascular function in rabbits

The direct effects of ketamine-xylazine (KET-XYL) on vascular function have not been investigated in rabbits. The short-term cardiovascular effects of intravenous (IV) KET-XYL bolus injection, therefore, should be investigated using vascular ultrasonography.In this prospective experimental study, KET-XYL anesthesia was induced IV in 9 female New Zealand White rabbits before 3 defined test bolus injections of KET-XYL were given IV. Before and for 10 min after each KET-XYL injection vascular and hemodynamic variables were recorded at the left common carotid artery (ACC) after the 1st injection, and at the abdominal aorta (AA) after the 2nd injection. Echocardiography was performed after the 3rd injection to investigate changes in cardiac parameters.Ketamine-xylazine IV caused a significant increase in vessel diameter at the ACC and AA. Average volumetric flow significantly decreased at the ACC and pulsatility index significantly decreased at the AA. Fractional shortening (FS) and heart rate significantly decreased, while mean arterial blood pressure initially increased.Bolus injections of KET-XYL IV produced a transient vasodilatation at the ACC and AA. Despite central vasodilatation, bradycardia, and decrease of FS and average volumetric flow (VFave), mean arterial blood pressure did not significantly decrease indicating well-preserved cardiovascular compensatory mechanism after the ratio and doses of KET-XYL IV bolus injections used in this study.