Antral Follicle Populations and Embryo Production – In Vitro and In Vivo – of Bos indicus–taurus Donors from Weaning to Yearling Ages

Interest in indicus–taurus cattle has been increasing, as these animals are likely to present the best characteristics of Zebu and European bovine breeds. The aim of this study was to compare the embryo production of indicus–taurus donors with high vs low antral follicle counts obtained by ovum pickup/in vitro production (OPU/IVP) and superovulation (SOV)/embryo collection. Braford females at weaning age (3/8 Nelore × 5/8 Hereford, n = 137, 9 ± 1 month old) were subjected to six serial ovarian ultrasonographs and were assigned to two groups according to the number of antral follicles ≥3 mm as follows: G‐High antral follicular count (AFC, n = 20, mean ≥40 follicles) and G‐Low AFC (n = 20, mean ≤10 follicles). When the females (n = 40) reached 24 months of age, they were subjected to both OPU/IVP and SOV/embryo collection. The average number of follicles remained highly stable throughout all of the ultrasound evaluations (range 0.90–0.92). The mean number of COCs recovered (36.90 ± 13.68 vs 5.80 ± 3.40) was higher (p < 0.05) for females with high AFC, resulting in higher (p < 0.05) numbers of total embryos among females with high vs low AFC (6.10 ± 4.51 vs 0.55 ± 0.83). The mean number of embryos per collection was also higher (p < 0.05) for G‐High vs G‐Low (6.95 ± 5.34 vs 1.9 ± 2.13). We conclude that a single ultrasound performed at pre‐pubertal ages to count antral follicles can be used as a predictor of embryo production following IVP and SOV/embryo collection in indicus–taurus females.     

An investigation to enhance understanding of the stimulation of weed seedling emergence by soil disturbance

Enhanced understanding of soil disturbance effects on weed seedling recruitment will help guide improved management approaches. Field experiments were conducted at 16 site‐years at 10 research farms across Europe and North America to (i) quantify superficial soil disturbance (SSD) effects on Chenopodium album emergence and (ii) clarify adaptive emergence behaviour in frequently disturbed environments. Each site‐year contained factorial combinations of two seed populations (local and common, with the common population studied at all site‐years) and six SSD timings [0, 50, 100, 150, 200 day‐degrees (d°C, base temperature 3°C) after first emergence from undisturbed soil]. Analytical units in this study were emergence flushes. Flush magnitudes (maximum weekly emergence per count flush) and flush frequencies (flushes year^?1) were compared between disturbed and undisturbed seedbanks. One year after burial, SSD promoted seedling emergence relative to undisturbed seedbanks by increasing flush magnitude rather than increasing flush frequency. Two years after burial, SSD promoted emergence through increased flush magnitude and flush frequency. The promotional effects of SSD on emergence were strongest within 500 d°C following SSD; however, low levels of SSD‐induced emergence were detected as late as 3000 d°C following SSD. Accordingly, stale seedbed practices that eliminate weed seedlings should occur within 500 d°C of disturbance, because few seedlings emerge after this time. However, implementation of stale seedbed practices will probably cause slight increases in weed population densities throughout the year. Compared with the common population, local populations exhibited reduced variance in total emergence measured within sites and across SSD treatments, suggesting that C. album adaptation to local pedo‐climatic conditions involves increased consistency in SSD‐induced emergence.     

Comparison of digestible and metabolizable energy and digestible phosphorus and amino acid content of corn ethanol coproducts from Brazil and the United States produced using fiber separation technology for swine

Three experiments (exp.) were conducted to determine and compare the digestibility of nutrients and energy of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from the United States (USDDGS), a dried mixture of corn bran with solubles (CBS) from Brazil (BRCBS), and high protein corn distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) from the United States (USHPDG) and Brazil (BRHPDG) in growing pigs. The feed ingredients were evaluated for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract, neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF and ADF, respectively), and digestible and metabolizable energy (DE and ME, respectively) using the total collection and index methods in exp. 1; ATTD and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of phosphorus (P) in exp. 2; and apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibilities of CP and amino acids (AA) in exp. 3. Fifty crossbred barrows (32.4 ± 6.9, 38.3 ± 5.2, and 46.2 ± 5.3 kg body weight [BW], in exp. 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were fed a corn basal diet in exp. 1, a P-free diet in exp. 2, and an N-free diet in exp. 3 or diets with 40% inclusion of test ingredients to provide 10 replications per treatment. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism cages (exp. 1) or in pens (exp. 2 and 3) and fed at 2.8 times the maintenance DE requirement (110 kcal/kg BW^0.75) based on their BW at the beginning of each experiment. Except for ATTD of NDF, which tended (P = 0.058) to be greater by the index method compared with the total collection method, no difference between the total collection and index methods was observed for ATTD of remaining nutrients and DE. The ATTD of DM, GE, NDF, and DE content of BRHPDG were greater (P < 0.001) than USHPDG, BRCBS, and USDDGS. The AID of CP, Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Thr, and Val and the SID of His, Leu, Lys, and Val of BRHPDG were 8% to 36% greater (P < 0.05) than those from USHPDG. Except for Trp, all AID and SID AA values were greater (P < 0.05) in BRHPDG than in USHPDG. The ATTD of DM, GE, NDF, and ADF; DE and ME content; AID of CP, Arg, Ile, Leu, Phe, Thr, and Trp; and SID of CP, Arg, Phe, and Thr of USDDGS were 9% to 45% greater (P < 0.05) than those in BRCBS. The ATTD and the STTD of P in USHPDG and USDDGS were 26% to 42% greater (P < 0.05) compared with BRHPDG and BRCBS. In conclusion, BRHPDG had a greater digestibility of energy and most of the AA than USHPDG, while the BRCBS evaluated had lower nutritional value than the USDDGS source.     

Protein and Quality Characterization of Complete and Partial Near‐Isogenic Lines of Waxy Wheat

The objective of this study was to evaluate protein composition and its effects on flour quality and physical dough test parameters using waxy wheat near‐isogenic lines. Partial waxy (single and double nulls) and waxy (null at all three waxy loci, Wx‐A1, Wx‐B1, and Wx‐D1) lines of N11 set (bread wheat) and Svevo (durum) were investigated. For protein composition, waxy wheats in this study had relatively lower albumins‐globulins than the hard winter wheat control. In the bread wheats (N11), dough strength as measured by mixograph peak dough development time (MDDT) (r = 0.75) and maximum resistance (R_max) (r = 0.70) was significantly correlated with unextractable polymeric protein (UPP), whereas in durum wheats, moderate correlation was observed (r = 0.73 and 0.59, respectively). This may be due to the presence of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) Dx2+Dy12 at the Glu‐D1 locus instead of Dx5+Dy10, which are associated with dough strength. Significant correlation of initial loaf volume (ILV) to flour polymeric protein (FPP) (r = 0.75) and flour protein (FP) (r = 0.63) was found in bread wheats, whereas in durum wheats, a weak correlation of ILV was observed with FP (r = 0.09) and FPP (r =0.51). Significant correlation of ILV with FPP in bread wheats and with % polymeric protein (PPP) (r = 0.75) in durum lines indicates that this aspect of end‐use functionality is influenced by FPP and PPP, respectively, in these waxy wheat lines. High ILV was observed with 100% waxy wheat flour alone and was not affected by 50% blending with bread wheat flour. However, dark color and poor crumb structure was observed with 100% waxy flour, which was unacceptable to consumers. As the amylopectin content of the starch increases, loaf expansion increases but the crumb structure becomes increasingly unstable and collapses.     

Genetic stability of quantitative characters in successive generations in maize inbred lines

Summary Genetic stability was evaluated in 11 long-time inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) by measuring 10 plant, ear, and seed characters in successive generations reproduced by self-pollination in ear-to-row progenies. The lines were reproduced through 10 generations, and the studies were made for generations 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. All lines had been inbred more than 10 generations before the start of the study. For 106 F-tests among generations, significant variation was observed for 40 tests (P<0.05). Major changes were observed in two inbred lines; in most other cases, the statistically significant changes were too small to be of practical importance.Joint contribution: Plant Science Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Journal Paper No J-7245 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No 1897.     

Dose Response Models with Natural Mortality and Random Effects

When fitting dose–response models to entomological data it is often necessary to take account of natural mortality and/or overdispersion. The standard approach to handle natural mortality is to use Abbott’s formula, which allows for a constant underlying mortality rate. Commonly used overdispersion models include the beta-binomial model, logistic-normal, and discrete mixtures. Here we extend the standard natural mortality model by including a random effect to account for overdispersion. Parameter estimation is based on a combined EM Newton–Raphson algorithm, which provides a simple framework for maximum likelihood estimation of the natural mortality model. We consider the application of this model to data from an experiment on the use of a virus (PhopGV) for the biological control of worm larvae (Phthorimaea operculella) in potatoes. For this natural mortality model with a random effect we introduce the likelihood ratio test, effective dose, and the use of a simulated residual envelope for model checking. Comparisons are made with an equivalent beta-binomial model. The procedures are implemented in the R system.     

Effect of different soaking solutions on nutritive utilization of minerals (calcium,phosphorus, and magnesium) from cooked beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in growing rats

The effects of the commonly used processing techniques of soaking (at different pH values) and cooking on the digestive and nutritive utilization of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were studied. Before the cooking step, the beans were soaked in solutions of acid (2.6 and 5.3) or basic (8.4) pH. Chemical and biological methods were used to determine nutritional parameters in growing rats, and the fiber content of the beans was established. As the pH of the soaking solution increased, so did mineral absorption and the apparent digestibility coefficient, which reached suitable values for growing rats, due to the reduced losses of soluble minerals and the increased food intake. Metabolic utilization also improved with increased pH of the soaking solution, although the values were, in general, low as a result of urinary losses under the experimental conditions. For the experimental period of 10 days, the femur and the muscle seem to be good metabolic indicators for calcium, but not for phosphorus or magnesium. The increased amount of cellulose in the soaked seed did not have a negative effect on the digestive utilization of minerals.     

The Reoviridae family

The members of the Reoviridae family are extremely varied in host ranges and have such diverse natural histories that it is compelling to conclude that their structural asset and replication strategy are uniquely successful in evolutionary terms. It follows that their study addresses fundamental aspects of virology, besides the ones which are customary with important pathogens affecting humans, animals and plants. We deal here with the present taxonomy of the family Reoviridae and of its genera, two of which (Orbivirus and Rotavirus) are treated separately in this issue. Along with a cursory presentation of the remaining genera, we give a concise update of recent findings on the genus Orthoreovirus.     

Comparison between haplotype-based and individual snp-based genomic predictions for beef fatty acid profile in Nelore cattle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genomic predictions using the single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor (ssGBLUP) method based on SNPs and haplotype markers associated with beef fatty acids (FAs) profile in Nelore cattle. The data set contained records from 963 Nelore bulls finished in feedlot (±90 days) and slaughtered with approximately 24 months of age. Meat samples from the Longissimus dorsi muscle were taken for FAs profile measurement. FAs were quantified by gas chromatography using a SP-2560 capillary column. Animals were genotyped with the high-density SNP panel (BovineHD BeadChip assay) containing 777,962 markers. SNPs with a minor allele frequency and a call rate lower than 0.05 and 0.90, respectively, monomorphic, located on sex chromosomes, and with unknown position were removed from the data set. After genomic quality control, a total of 469,981 SNPs and 892 samples were available for subsequent analyses. Missing genotypes were imputed and phased using the FImpute software. Haplotype blocks were defined based on linkage disequilibrium using the Haploview software. The model to estimate variance components and genetic parameters and to predict the genomic values included the random genetic additive effects, fixed effects of the contemporary group and the age at slaughter as a linear covariate. Accuracies using the haplotype-based approach ranged from 0.07 to 0.31, and those SNP-based ranged from 0.06 to 0.33. Regression coefficients ranged from 0.07 to 0.74 and from 0.08 to 1.45 using the haplotype- and SNP-based approaches, respectively. Despite the low to moderate accuracies for the genomic values, it is possible to obtain genetic progress trough selection using genomic information based either on SNPs or haplotype markers. The SNP-based approach allows less biased genomic evaluations, and it is more feasible when taking into account the computational and operational cost underlying the haplotypes inference.     

Nutritional potential of raw and free alpha-galactosides lupin (Lupinus albus Var. multolupa) seed flours. Effect of phytase treatment on nitrogen and mineral dialyzability

The effect of the removal of alpha-galactosides from Lupinus albus L. var. multolupa on the chemical composition of the prepared flour and the dialyzability of N, total P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mn was studied. The extraction process caused a significant increase in total and insoluble nitrogen contents and decreased the amount of soluble protein nitrogen. However, neither these changes nor treatment with phytase seemed to considerably affect in vitro protein digestibility. Except for Ca and Cu, total mineral contents were significantly reduced by the extraction process. The process also caused a significant reduction in the dialyzability of all the minerals studied except P. The decrease in mineral dialyzability was partially counteracted by phytase treatment in amounts of 250-500 phytase units/kg of lupin flour. In the case of Fe, mineral dialyzability did not differ significantly between the two lupin flours studied with treatment with 500 phytase units/kg. Zinc dialyzability was the most efficiently improved by phytase treatment (P < 0.0001), followed by P, Fe, and Mn, and finally by Ca and Mg (P < 0.05).