Effect of eCG dose on ovarian haemodynamics,hormonal profiles and prolificacy rate when oestrus was induced during low-breeding season in Beetal goats

The objectives of the experiment were to determine the effect of two doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in a standard synchronization protocol based on a short-term progesterone (P₄) priming on ovarian structures and haemodynamics, concentrations of steroid hormones and prolificacy rate when oestrus was induced during low-breeding season (LBS) in Beetal dairy goats. We hypothesized that inclusion of eCG in a short-term P₄ priming-based synchronization protocol would increase the blood perfusion to ovarian structures leading to enhance oestrous and ovulatory responses and prolificacy rate in goats. Forty-two multiparous acyclic goats were blocked by body condition and, within block, assigned randomly to receive saline as control (CON), low eCG (L-eCG; 300 IU) or high eCG (H-eCG; 600 IU) dose. Initially, a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device was placed in the anterior vagina on d −8, followed by removal of CIDR on d −3, concurrent with the administration of PGF_2α and eCG according to their respective treatments. Goats were monitored for oestrous response. B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography was performed with 12-h interval, starting from day −3 until natural breeding (day 0), and then on days 5, 10, 15 and 20 post-breeding to monitor follicular and luteal dynamics and blood flow, respectively. Blood was sampled at 0, 12, 24, 36 and 60 h after CIDR removal to quantify plasma concentrations of estradiol-17β (E₂), whereas plasma concentrations of P₄ were assayed at days 5, 10, 15 and 20 after breeding. Pregnancy and prolificacy rates were determined at day 30 and 150 after breeding, respectively. Data were analysed with mixed-effects models, and orthogonal contrasts were used to evaluate the effect of treatment [Con vs. (½ L-eCG + ½ H-eCG)] and dose of eCG (L-eCG vs. H-eCG). Data are presented in sequence as CON, L-eCG, H-eCG (LSM ± SEM). The oestrous intensity score (152.9 vs. 182.7 vs. 186.5 ± 15.1; p = .02) was greater in eCG-treated goats as compared to CON. Administration of eCG reduced the intervals to standing oestrus (66.2 vs. 41.8 vs. 48.9 h ± 5.5; p = .05), breeding (70.2 vs. 44.4 vs. 45.4 h ± 4.5; p = .03) and ovulation (84.5 vs. 61.2 vs. 63.4 h ± 6.2; p = .05) compared with CON goats. The mean growth rate of pre-ovulatory follicle was greater (1.11 vs. 1.49 vs. 1.45 mm ± 0.08; p = .01) in eCG-treated goats resulting in an increased diameter of pre-ovulatory follicle (6.27 vs. 7.20 vs. 7.31 mm ± 0.07; p < .01) and corpora lutea (6.75 vs. 8.26 vs. 8.07 mm ± 0.42; p = .04) than CON. The mean follicular blood flow did not differ among treatments; however, the mean luteal blood flow was greater in L-eCG-treated goats (0.81 vs. 1.61 vs. 1.07 cm² ± 0.12; p = .001). The mean concentrations of E₂ (4.03 vs. 5.21 vs. 4.78 pg/ml ± 0.42; p = .04) and P₄ (4.85 vs. 6.39 vs. 6.22 ng/ml ± 0.34; p = .04) were greater in eCG-treated goats. The twinning rate did not differ between treatments; nevertheless, prolificacy rate was greater (p = .04) in L-eCG-treated goats. Collectively, our data suggest that the administration of eCG improves the induction of oestrous and ovarian dynamics. Administration of L-eCG enhances prolificacy rate, therefore, a low dose of eCG might be practically beneficial to improve reproduction during LBS in acyclic Beetal dairy goats.     

Effect of dry and wet storage at cool temperatures on the post-harvest performance of Ranunculus asiaticus L. flowers

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of different storage temperatures on senescence and postharvest performance of isolated flowers of Ranunculus asiaticus L.. The main aim of the work was to develop a cost-effective storage protocol to reduce the postharvest losses and to bring out the transportation of cut flowers of R. Asiaticus. The flowers were subjected to two different storage treatments, dry storage and wet storage, and their postharvest performance was compared under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, the buds were harvested at 8:00 AM at loose bud stage (Stage II of flower development). The harvested buds were cut to a uniform size of 15 cm and processed for dry or wet storage. For dry storage, the buds were packed after wrapping them in moistened filter papers and kept at 5°C and 10°C. For wet storage, the buds were held in distilled water in separate glass beakers kept at 5°C and 10°C, respectively. A separate set of buds each for dry and wet storage was kept at room temperature (15±2)°C. After 72 h storage, the buds were kept at room temperature in distilled water. The average life of an individual flower that opened fully was about 4–5 days. The buds kept under wet storage at 5°C and 10°C for 72 h maintained their premature status, while the buds held at room temperature for 72 h generally bloomed. All the buds stored dry maintained their premature status irrespective of storage temperature. Storage of buds for 72 h at 5°C, followed by transferring to distilled water improved the longevity by about 5 to 6 days. Cold storage treatment before transferring to holding solution improved floral diameter, membrane integrity besides maintaining higher fresh and dry mass of flowers, sugar content, soluble proteins, and phenols. Our results suggested that wet and dry storage of premature buds of R. asiaticus for 72 h at 5°C, followed by placing them in distilled water, improved the cut flower longevity and can be used as effective postharvest storage treatments for this beautiful cut flower.     

Nutrients leaching from green leaves of three potential agroforestry tree species

Nutrient (NH₄, PO₄ and K) leaching from oven dried green leaves of Emblica officinalis Gaerten, Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. and Moringa oleifera Lam.were investigated in laboratory condition. Oven-dried green leaves were immersed in demineralized distilled water for 8 days. Electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS) and nutrients (NH₄, PO₄ and K) of leaching water samples were measured at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, and 192 h of intervals. All these species showed an increasing trend for EC and TDS in leachate and comparatively higher EC and TDS were observed in E. officinalis, which is followed, by S. grandiflora and M. oleifera. Significantly high amount (P < 0.05) of NH₄ was leached from S. grandiflora and PO₄ from M. oleifera. But, both S. grandiflora and M. oleifera leached significantly higher (P < 0.05) K than E. officinalis. Within the first 0.25 h, 100 % and 82 % of NH₄ and 68 % and 74 % of K were leached from leaves of S. grandiflora and M. oleifera respectively. S. grandiflora and M. oleifera leached 100 % of PO₄ within 6 h. The concentrtions of NH₄, PO₄ and K in the leachate from E. officinalis, S. grandiflora and M. oleifera were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The green leaves of S. grandiflora and M.oleifera can be a potential source of NH₄, PO₄ and K for a quick nutrient supplement to the agricultural crops in agroforestry practices.     

Lipid Changes During Long-Term Storage of Canned Sprat

Lipid changes during canning and 3-years storage of oil and brine canned sprat were studied. Thermal treatment during precooking and sterilization produced an increase in free fatty acid content. Secondary oxidation product showed a considerable increase in canned samples after storage time. A significant increase was found by comparing the fluorescence shift measured in both canned samples with cooked fish. The fluorescence compound in both filling media was increased after 3 years. Oil canning affected the sprat fatty acids composition. Results showed the amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and Σω3 significantly decreased in oil canned samples. However, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and Σω6 had the opposite behavior. The latter effect was more marked with increased storage time. Results showed the amount of SFA, MUFA, PUFA, and Σω3 did not alter in brine canned samples. After storage, the amount of MUFA and Σω3 decreased, and the content of SFA increased in brine canned samples.     

Impact of wheat-Leymus racemosus added chromosomes on wheat adaptation and tolerance to heat stress

Adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to high temperatures could be improved by introducing alien genes from wild relatives. We evaluated the responses of wheat-Leymus racemosus chromosome introgression lines to high temperature to determine their potentiality for developing improved wheat cultivars. Introgression lines and their parent Chinese Spring were evaluated in a growth chamber at the seedling stage and in the field at the reproductive stage in two heat-stressed environments in Sudan. Optimum and late planting were used to ensure exposure of the plants to heat stress at the reproductive stage. The results revealed the impact of several Leymus chromosomes in improving wheat adaptation and tolerance to heat. Three lines possessed enhanced adaptation, whereas two showed high heat tolerance. Two addition lines showed a large number of kernels per spike, while one possessed high yield potential. Grain yield was correlated negatively with the heat susceptibility index, days to heading and maturity and positively with kernel number per spike and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay under late planting. The findings suggest that these genetic stocks could be used as a bridge to introduce the valuable Leymus traits into a superior wheat genetic background, thus helping maximize wheat yield in heat-stressed environments.     

Coincidence of virulence shifts and population genetic changes of Pseudoperonospora cubensis in the Czech Republic

Pseudoperonospora cubensis is an oomycete pathogen causing downy mildew disease on a variety of Cucurbitaceae, and has recently re‐emerged as a destructive disease on crops in this family, mainly on cucumber and squash. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of four mitochondrial and two nuclear DNA regions was used to detect changes in the genetic structure of P. cubensis populations occurring in the Czech Republic that might be associated with recently reported shifts in virulence. The analysed sample set contains 67 P. cubensis isolates collected from 1995 to 2012 in the Czech Republic and some other European countries. Sequence analyses revealed differences and changes in the genetic backgrounds of P. cubensis isolates. While all isolates sampled before 2009 exhibited the genotype of the subspecies of Clade II and were collected from cucumber, all samples collected from other hosts belonged to Clade I (P. cubensis sensu stricto) or were sampled from 2009 onwards. In addition, 67·16% of all post‐2009 isolates from Clade II had two heterozygous positions in their nrITS sequence, which suggests sexual reproduction and/or a mutational origin. Thus, the results indicate that, apart from the rise in prevalence of Clade I, the change in the genetic structure of P. cubensis populations may be linked with a hybridization or, less likely, a mutation event that rendered strains able to infect a broader spectrum of host species.