Field evaluation of the impact of Sahlbergella singularis Haglund infestations on the productivity of different Theobroma cacao L. genotypes in the Southern Cameroon

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Mirids (Sahbergella singularis and/or Distantiella theobroma) are the major pests of cacao farms in Africa. Cocoa production losses due to these species...     

Field evaluation of synthetic sex pheromone traps for the cocoa mirid Sahlbergella singularis (Hemiptera: Miridae)

BACKGROUND: Field trapping experiments were conducted to evaluate the attractiveness of five different pheromone blends as well as the impact of trap design on attractiveness towards cocoa mirids, Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. and Distantiella theobroma (Dist.), in Cameroon. RESULTS: A total of 361 adults of S. singularis (359 males and two females) were caught. The highest numbers of mirids were found in traps with pheromone blends that combined a monoester and a diester, compared with traps with the diester or the monoester individually and control traps with no pheromone. Rectangular traps caught significantly more mirids compared with delta traps. The mean number of 5.1 mirids trap^?1 year^?1 caught in rectangular traps was significantly higher compared with the 1.8 mirids trap^?1 year^?1 for the delta traps. CONCLUSION: The data revealed that rectangular traps containing pheromone blends combining both the monoester and the diester have a good potential to lure and trap adult males of S. singularis on cocoa farms. The pheromone blends used were specific for S. singularis, and the use of pheromone traps appears to be a promising strategy for incorporation into integrated pest management strategies for the monitoring or even the control of S. singularis in cocoa plantations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Peripartum Haemodynamic Status of Bitches with Normal Birth or Dystocia

There has been limited investigation of parturition in the bitch and there is little information published on clinical and obstetrical examination other than opinion and anecdote. While there are substantial data on haemodynamic and vascular changes during normal parturition in humans, little is known about the physiological events in the dog. This study was aimed at maternal haemodynamic changes occurring during normal parturition and to investigate how these were modified in bitches with dystocia (DYST) treated either medically or via assisted delivery and caesarean operation. Three groups of 10 bitches were investigated; those with normal parturition, those with DYST corrected by manipulative assistance or caesarean operation and those with uterine inertia treated by oxytocin administration. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, electrocardiogram and blood glucose concentration were measured pre-partum, intra-partum, immediately after parturition and 1 h later. Heart rate was high at all times throughout the study and the majority of bitches had normal sinus rhythm. Blood pressure was generally within the normal range, and although systolic and diastolic blood pressure was highest during the intra-partum period and sometimes during the immediate post-partum period, there were no significant differences between groups. All bitches had blood glucose concentrations within the normal range throughout the study although pre-partum concentrations were statistically lower than many of the other time periods. The study provides useful physiological data that will facilitate monitoring and clinical management of bitches throughout normal parturition and DYST.     

Effects of Prolonged in vitro Culture and Cryopreservation on Viability,DNA Fragmentation,Chromosome Stability and Ultrastructure of Bovine Cells from Amniotic Fluid and Umbilical Cord

The objective of this work was to study cellular types that did not participated in the gastrulation process, amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) and umbilical cord cells (UCCs), in conditions of long‐term culture and cryopreserved with different solutions. The AFCs and UCCs were used in a comparative study with ear fibroblast cells (EFCs) that were cultured in vitro until 20 cellular passages and cryopreserved in 10% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), 5% dimethyl formamide (DMF) and 7% glycerol (Gly) solutions. The cellular viability, ultrastructure, DNA fragmentation and chromosome stability were evaluated to determine the cellular type most resistant. In all cell types, it was possible to evaluate the AFCs until 15 passages and UCCs until 20 passages with different periods of cellular growth to reach the confluence phase. Solutions containing 10% DMSO ensured viability of 90.33 ± 5.58%, 90.56 ± 4.40% and 81.90 ± 3.31%, respectively for EFCs, AFCs and UCCs, being significantly more efficient and with less variation than other cryoprotectant solutions. The AFCs were more sensitive to cryopreservation and presented low viability rate at the passage 20 (17.2 ± 8.87%). There was no change in karyotype and nuclear fragmentation was low in all cellular passages studied. With the scanning electron analysis was possible the characterization of AFCs and UCCs in suspension. The three cellular types of cells presented different shapes and characteristics on the surface. The results demonstrate that bovine AFCs and UCCs can be isolated, cultured in vitro and cryopreserved in 10% DMSO, not causing damage to DNA and chromosomes. The UCCs were more resistant than AFCs in all aspects.     

Effect of oxytocin on suppression of oestrus in mares exhibiting normal oestrous cycles

Abstract

AIM: To compare the efficacy of oxytocin given once daily, either I/V or I/M, on Days 7–14 post-ovulation, on the expression of oestrus in mares through to 65 days post-ovulation.

METHODS: Eighteen mares of various breeds that were displaying normal oestrous cycles were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups on the day of ovulation (Day 0), detected using transrectal ultrasonography. Mares in the control group (n = 6) were given 1 mL saline I/V; mares in the I/V and I/M groups (n = 6 per group) were injected with 10 IU oxytocin I/V and I/M, respectively. All treatments were given once daily on Days 7–14. Mares were teased by a stallion three times per week, up to 65 days post-ovulation, to detect oestrous or dioestrous behaviour. Ovarian follicular and luteal activity were monitored using transrectal ultrasonography three times weekly, and daily when a follicle >30 mm diameter was present until ovulation. Blood samples were collected weekly for analysis of concentrations of progesterone in serum. Prolonged dioestrus was defined as a period of >30 days of dioestrous behaviour after Day 0, confirmed by detection of corpora lutea and concentrations of progesterone in serum >4 nmol/L.

RESULTS: Overall, 8/18 (44%) mares showed prolonged dioestrus. These included 2/6 (33%) mares in the control group, compared with 5/6 (83%) and 1/6 (16%) mares in the I/V and I/M groups, respectively (p = 0.11). The median duration of the first dioestrus was longer for the I/V group (64 (min 16, max 66) days) compared with the control group (18 (min 12, max 64) days) (p = 0.05), but was not different between the control group and the I/M group (16 (min 13, max 65) days) (p = 0.57). For all mares there was strong agreement between teasing behaviours, ultrasonographic assessment of ovarian activity, and concentration of progesterone in serum.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study found that low doses of oxytocin did not increase the proportion of mares with prolonged dioestrus, compared with controls, although I/V oxytocin did increase the median duration of dioestrus. The results must be interpreted with some caution as group numbers were small, and a variety of breeds were used. Further investigation of oxytocin given I/V may be warranted as a potential method of oestrus suppression in mares exhibiting oestrous cycles that is low cost, safe and well-tolerated, and potentially reversible with prostaglandin.     

基于物联网技术的农业气象观测系统的研究与设计

为了更好地实现农业气象数据观测的实时、可靠、准确性,研究设计了一种基于物联网的农业气象观测系统。该系统在Eclipse的开发环境中,利用B/S模式和专业数据库实现数据采集与应用实时结合的功能,解决了过去气象部门数据与应用软件分离,监测、分析功能实时性不高的问题。同时,后台应用软件利用前端无线传感网络的实时数据,并结合专家知识自动向用户推送农业气象预报信息。综上所述,研究设计的农业气象观测系统信息推送准确及时,极大地满足了现代农业对气象服务精准化的需求。     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in primate bushmeat and pets in Cameroon

To document the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Cameroonian monkeys and to assess the risk of transmission to humans, we sampled 125 primates belonging to 15 species, of which 78 had been captured for bushmeat in the wild, and 47 were pets kept in urban areas. Seven nematode species, one trematode, one cestode and three protozoa were detected. Eight different parasite species were found in Cercopithecus nictitans and six in C. neglectus, C. pogonias and Cercocebus agilis. Helminths were found in 77% of monkeys, and protozoa in 36%. Trichuris sp. and Entamoeba coli were the most frequent parasites, being found in 54% and 36% of animals, respectively. Helminths were more frequent in adults than in juveniles, while the prevalence of protozoa was not age-related. No significant gender difference was found. Bushmeat monkeys had a significantly higher prevalence of helminth infection than pets (92% versus 51%), whereas there was no significant difference in the prevalence of protozoa (32% versus 43%). Among helminth species, Strongyloides fulleborni was more prevalent in bushmeat monkeys than in pets (55% versus 15%), as were Ancylostoma spp. (62% versus 9%). As these parasites are transmitted transcutaneously by infectious larva, they have a high potential for transmission to humans, during butchering. One pet monkey kept in an urban household in Yaoundé was infected by Schistosoma mansoni. The potential public health implications of these findings are discussed.     

Effect of selenium supplementation on semen characteristics of Brazil's ram

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of oral supplementation with selenium (Se) upon ram sperm parameters. Thirty rams managed in stall under intensive system were used and divided into five groups (six animals per group) as follows: control group (G1) mineral mixture supplementation without Se, group 2 (G2) mineral mixture supplemented with 5 mg/kg Se, group 3 (G3) supplemented with 10 mg/kg Se, group 4 (G4) supplemented with 15 mg/kg Se and group 5 (G5) supplemented with 20 mg/kg Se. For each group, there was an adjustment period of 14 days. The experimental period was 350 days. Every 56 days, the animals were weighed and semen samples were collected by electroejaculation. Semen analysis included volume, mass moviment, total motility, vigour, concentration and morphology. For plasmatic and acrosomal membrane integrity evaluation and mitochondrial membrane potential were used a combination of fluorescent probes. Differences between means values obtained by analysis of variance were verified by Tukey test with 5% probability. There was no statistical difference between treatment groups in relation to volume, mass moviment, total motility, vigour, concentration, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity (p > .05). Sperm morphology was different between treatment groups, the G1 (0 mg of selenium) had the highest percentage of major defects (11.11 ± 1.11^a; p < .05). It was concluded that selenium decrease the percentage of sperm defects and did not directly influence on ram sperm volume, mass moviment, total motility, vigour, concentration and membrane integrity.