Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm form and function in mammals

Sperm competition is a powerful selective force that has influenced many reproductive traits in males and females although additional evolutionary explanations may help to understand the diversity of mammalian reproduction. Sperm morphology varies considerably in mammals with extreme examples in several rodent lineages in which a wide range of sizes and complex head morphologies have been identified. Mammalian spermatozoa also differ in function, with swimming velocity and trajectory showing much divergence. Underlying processes mediating function have received little attention so far, but differences in timing and proportion of sperm undergoing capacitation or acrosomal exocytosis may be related to variation in signalling processes. Furthermore, energy required for sperm functions (such as motion, signalling and overall maintenance of cell integrity) can be produced and consumed, following different patterns among species and this could be the result of several selective forces. A more thorough understanding of the diversity in structure and function of sperm cells, and underlying selective forces, may help us develop better methods to assess them taking into account particulars and generalities of sperm form and performance. Such tests could then become more reliable in estimations of the impact of cryopreservation or effect of changes in the environment and their relevance for fertility.     

Epidemiology of porcine non-specific colitis on Scottish farms

The objective of this study was to investigate epidemiological risk factors for porcine non-specific colitis (NSC). Forty-seven Scottish pig farms, with and without a clinical history of diarrhoea during the growing period (15-40 kg), were selected. The study included farm visits, clinical inspection of pigs, completion of farm management questionnaires, pathological tests into the cause of the diarrhoea and analysis of the non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content of feeds. The results from 17 farms designated as NSC and 10 control farms suggest dietary associations with NSC. Farms with NSC fed diets with significantly higher levels of NSPs, especially containing the sugars glucose, arabinose and xylose. Few management factors were identified, although the high prevalence of infectious colitis reduced the power of the study.     

The performance of a thermometer screen on an automatic weather station

The performance of a Didcot-type thermometer screen on an Automatic Weather Station and a conventional Stevenson screen were compared, both with each other and against an aspirated Assmann psychrometer. Maximum temperature in the Didcot screen exceeded the conventional screen maximum by up to 1 K on calm, sunny days, and Didcot minimum temperatures were as much as 1.5 K less than the screen minima on still, clear nights; mean temperature discrepancies between screens were + 0.3 and − 0.4 K for maxima and minima, respectively. The apparent psychrometric constant for the Didcot screen was 1.0 mbar K⁻¹ which increased to 1.2 mbar K⁻¹ when u < 2 m s⁻¹ in contrast to the value of 0.799 mbar K⁻¹ frequently used for the Stevenson screen.     

水稻重要农艺性状的QTL分析和主效QTL近等基因系的构建

水稻许多重要农艺性状都是数量性状,水稻遗传改良的大部分工作就是改良这些数量性状。1980年以后,随着分子标记的出现,水稻高密度遗传连锁图谱的大量绘制,各种作图群体的迅猛构建,功能强大的各种统计学软件的快速开发,全基因组序列测序的完成,特别是多个QTL精细定位和先后克隆,使得我们对数量性状的认识得到了长足的进步,QTL的研究正在走进新时代。     

Development of a marker assisted selection program for cacao

ABSTRACT Production of cacao in tropical America has been severely affected by fungal pathogens causing diseases known as witches' broom (WB, caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa), frosty pod (FP, caused by M. roreri) and black pod (BP, caused by Phytophthora spp.). BP is pan-tropical and causes losses in all producing areas. WB is found in South America and parts of the Caribbean, while FP is found in Central America and parts of South America. Together, these diseases were responsible for over 700 million US dollars in losses in 2001 (4). Commercial cacao production in West Africa and South Asia are not yet affected by WB and FP, but cacao grown in these regions is susceptible to both. With the goal of providing new disease resistant cultivars the USDA-ARS and Mars, Inc. have developed a marker assisted selection (MAS) program. Quantitative trait loci have been identified for resistance to WB, FP, and BP. The potential usefulness of these markers in identifying resistant individuals has been confirmed in an experimental F(1) family in Ecuador.     

Effects of intravenous infusion of high levels of potassium and sodium on mineral metabolism in sheep

A metabolism trial was conducted with 18 crossbred (Finn x Dorset x Suffolk) wethers, fitted with indwelling jugular catheters and abomasal and ileal cannulas, to determine the effects of high levels of i.v.-infused K and Na on mineral metabolism. The wethers (40 kg) were fed 800 g daily of a 60% concentrate diet in two equal portions at 0800 and 1900. Six wethers were infused randomly with 19 g K+, six with 10.6 g Na+ (chloride salts) and the other six with physiological saline solution (1.2 g Na) per day. Potassium chloride or NaCl infusion had no effects on apparent absorption, retention, flow or partial absorption of Mg, Ca and P in the digestive tract compared with physiological saline infusion. With all treatments, Mg and Ca were absorbed proximal to the abomasal cannula. Magnesium was secreted into, whereas Ca and P were absorbed from, the small intestine. Phosphorus was secreted both in the stomach and large intestinal regions of the digestive tract. Major sites of K and Na absorption were the small and large intestines, respectively. Infusion of K increased (P less than .05) retention of K compared with Na infusion. Infusion of Na increased (P less than .05) excretion and retention of Na compared with K infusion. Serum minerals were not changed by K or Na infusion compared with saline. The results of this experiment indicate that the depressing effects of K on Mg absorption are not attributable to high levels of absorbed K, but rather to K present in the digestive tract prior to the small intestine.