Organic solvent-free reversed-phase ion-pairing liquid chromatography coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry for organoarsenic species determination in several matrices

A novel method has been developed to determine As-containing animal feed additives including roxarsone (ROX), p-arsanilic acid (p-ASA) and nitarsone (NIT), as well as other organic As species (dimethylarsonic acid (DMAA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA)) by ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (IP-HPLC-HG-AFS). A simple isocratic reversed-phase (RP) HPLC method with a mobile phase containing citric acid and sodium hexanesulfonate (pH 2.0) was developed using a C(18) column. The use of an organic solvent free mobile phase turns this methodology into an environmentally friendly alternative. Several ion pair forming agents, such as sodium hexanesulfonate, tetrabutylammonium bisulfate and perfluoroheptanoic acid, were studied. The limits of detection for As species were calculated in standard solution and resulted to be 0.2, 0.5, 0.6, 1.6, and 1.6 μg As L(-1) for MMAA, DMAA, p-ASA, ROX and NIT, respectively. This method exhibited convenient operation, high sensitivity and good repeatability. It was applied to As speciation in different samples including arugula, dog food, dog urine and chicken liver.     

Environmental factors and interval from the introduction of rams to estrus in postpartum Saint Croix sheep

The objective of this study was to determine whether season and total rainfall during the breeding season, sheep parity, and/or litter size affect the interval from the introduction of rams to estrus (IRE) in hair Saint Croix sheep in northeastern Mexico. An analysis was made of 874 services performed during 9 years, introducing the rams into the sheep flock after an isolation period of 60 days during the postpartum period. Estrus was recorded twice daily during 35 days. Year and season influenced significantly on the interval between ram introduction and estrus length (P < 0.01). Winter IRE length (7.9 ± 0.1 days) was shorter than in the other three seasons (11.1 ± 0.2, 11.1 ± 0.1, and 16.2 ± 0.2 days in summer, autumn, and spring, respectively) (P < 0.01). An interaction was observed between rainfall and season, then by rainfall between 0 and 100 mm, IRE was shorter (P < 0.05) in winter (6.8 ± 0.3 days), and by rainfall between 100 and 199 mm, IRE was shorter (P < 0.05) in autumn (10.2 ± 0.5 days); however, when rainfall was beyond 200 mm, IRE length was shorter (P < 0.01) in summer (4.8 ± 0.5 days) than in autumn (14.5 ± 0.3 days). The IRE length was also longer in first lambing ewes (P < 0.05) and was not affected by litter size. In the present study, several factors, including the breeding season, rainfall and parity, directly influenced the interval between the male introduction and the onset of estrus by Saint Croix hair sheep.     

Treatment of male goats with equine chorionic gonadotrophin during the non-breeding season does not affect their sperm characteristics during the subsequent breeding season

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) is a hormone having FSH/LH effects. It can be used to enhance sperm quality in male goats (bucks) during the...     

Endometrial expression of key genes related to fertility in repeat breeder and non-repeat breeder cows

The aim of the present study was to compare the endometrial gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), nodal growth differentiation factor (NODAL), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) in repeat breeder cows (RBC) and non-RBC during diestrus. Endometrial samples were collected by cytobrush technique and stored in RNA stabilizing solution at −20°C until RT-qPCR analysis. Differences in endometrial mRNA expression of selected genes were assessed by ANOVA and simple (r) and the partial correlations (rp) among selected genes were performed. Results demonstrated that mRNA expression of EGFR and NODAL were higher in RBC than in non-RBC (3 and 25-fold change, p < .01 and p < .01, respectively), while the mRNA expression of PTGS2 was lower (1.56-fold change, p < .01). Although there were no differences detected in the mRNA expression of ESR1 and PGR, there was a positive correlation between the expression of ESR1 and EGFR (0.84, p < .05) and a negative correlation between PGR and PTGS2 (−0.49, p < .05). In conclusion, the difference on the endometrial mRNA expression of the genes included in the study between RBC and non-RBC indicates a deregulation of important mechanisms that are vital to establish a successful pregnancy. Thus, the present study provides useful insight as a base for future studies to elucidate the causes of RBC.     

Detection of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in solanaceous plants in Mexico

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a novel tobamovirus initially reported in Jordan and Israel, and, more recently, in Europe, China, the USA and...     

Use of Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients to assess yield inequality within paddocks

The opportunity for site-specific management of crops depends on both the magnitude and spatial structure of yield variation. This study explored the applicability of Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients (G) to characterise the magnitude of the variation in grain yield. Maize crops were grown in farmers fields in a semi-arid region of central Argentina. Major sources of yield variation between and within paddocks included season, soil type and topography, rate of nitrogen fertiliser (nil to 132 kg N ha⁻¹), and the interactions among these factors. Nitrogen treatments were applied in a complete block strip trial (strip size700 m×9.8 m) with three replicates. Data were collected with an AgLeader™ yield monitor, and GIS software was used to create 9.8 m×9.8 m grids over the observations. Average yield in 0.7–2.8 ha field sections ranged from 1.6 to 7.0 t ha⁻¹. Gini coefficient ranged from 0.027 to 0.191 whereas its theoretical limits are 0 for a perfectly uniform population, and 1 for a theoretical population of infinite size where all units but one yield 0. Conditions conducive to high yield, e.g. adequate availability of nitrogen and water, reduced crop yield inequality, as quantified with G. The agronomic relevance of G was summarised in an inverse relationship with yield. Lorenz curves seemed particularly apt to present crop heterogeneity in terms of inequality, and to highlight the relative contribution of low- and high-yielding sections of the field to total paddock yield. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients provide a potentially useful extension tool, a complement to yield maps and other statistical indices of yield variation, and further contact points between site-specific management, economics and ecology.     

Screening genetic diseases prevalence in Braunvieh cattle

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Heritable abnormalities can cause a reduction in productive performance, structural defects, or death of the animal. There are reports of hereditary...     

Total nutrient digestibility and small intestine starch digestion in Nellore and Angus young bulls fed a whole shelled corn diet

Eighteen Nellore and 18 Angus young bulls with BW of 381 ± 12 kg were randomly assigned into two feeding groups (whole shelled corn [WSC] or ground corn with silage [GC]) to evaluate the interaction of breed and diet on total nutrient digestibility, pancreatic α‐amylase, and maltase activity and SLC5A1expression in the small intestine. Experimental diets (DM basis) included (a) a diet containing 30% corn silage and 70% GC and soya bean meal‐based concentrate and (b) a diet containing 85% WSC and 15% of a soya bean meal‐ and mineral‐based pelleted supplement. The treatments were Nellore fed GC diet; Nellore fed WSC diet; Angus fed GC diet; and Angus fed WSC diet. Total faecal collection for the digestibility trial occurred from day 48 until day 50 of the experimental period. Feeding the WSC diet reduced DM and NDF intake (p < 0.01). Angus had greater DM and nutrient intake in kg/day (p < 0.01). However, there was no breed effect on DM and nutrient intakes based on percentage of BW (p > 0.19). Angus had greater starch digestibility (p = 0.03) than Nellore. Cattle fed the WSC diet had greater DM, NDF and starch digestibility (p < 0.01) compared with those fed the GC diet. The activity of pancreatic α‐amylase (U/g of protein) was greater in Nellore (p < 0.01) and was not affected by diet (p = 0.52). In duodenum, maltase activity (U/g of protein) was greater in bulls fed GC diet (p = 0.02). Expression of the gene SLC5A1was not affected by breed or diet (p > 0.05). In conclusion, Nellore had less capacity to digest starch. However, they did not have less pancreatic α‐amylase and duodenal maltase activity compared to Angus. The use of the WSC diet increases DM and total nutrient digestibility.     

Removal of Anthracene from Recently Contaminated and Aged Soils

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - Suspended microplastic and black carbon (BC) particles were determined in surface waters of the Jade system, southern North Sea, including freshwater sources. On...