Pesticide occurrence in selected South Florida canals and Biscayne Bay during high agricultural activity

Climate and soil conditions in South Florida along with an extensive canal system facilitate movement of agricultural pesticides into surface waters. In a two-year study (2002-2004) of the currently used pesticides in South Florida, atrazine, endosulfan, metolachlor, chlorpyrifos, and chlorothalonil were the most frequently detected in the canals and in Biscayne Bay, with average concentrations of 16, 11, 9.0, 2.6, and 6.0 ng/L, respectively. Concentrations of atrazine and chlorpyrifos were highest near corn production. Chlorothalonil and endosulfan concentrations were highest near vegetable production, with no clear trend for metolachlor, which is used on multiple crops. Concentration data were used to calculate an aquatic life hazard potential for the planting period (November) versus the harvest period (March). This analysis indicated that a higher hazard potential occurs during harvest, primarily from the use of endosulfan. These data will also serve to document canal conditions prior to implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).     

The earthworm population of a winter cereal field and its effects on soil and nitrogen turnover

The earthworm population in a winter cereal field in Ireland was studied over a 3-year-period and its effects on soil and N turnover were assessed. The mean annual population density was 346–471 individuals m^-2 and the mean biomass was 56.9–61.2 g m^-2. Twelve species were recorded, the most abundant being Allolobophora chlorotica followed by Aporrectodea caliginosa, and 242 mg at 5°C to 713 mg at 10°C in the case of juvenile Lumbricus terrestris. Gut contents (dry mass of soil) comprised 6.7–15.5% of the A. caliginosa live mass, and 9.7–14.7% of the Lumbricus terrestris mass. Annual soil egestion by the field population was estimated as 18–22 kg m^-2. Tissue production ranged from 81.7 to 218.5 g m^-2, while N turnover resulting from mortality was calculated as 1.5–3.9 g m^-2 depending on the year and the method of calculation. Earthworms were estimated to contribute an additional 3.4–4.1 g mineral N to the soil through excretion, mucus production, and soil ingestion. Independent estimates of N output via mucus and excretion derived from ¹⁵N laboratory studies with Lumbricus terrestris were 2.9–3.6 g m^-2 year^-1.     

Mutations in the pericentrin (PCNT) gene cause primordial dwarfism

Fundamental processes influencing human growth can be revealed by studying extreme short stature. Using genetic linkage analysis, we find that biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the centrosomal pericentrin (PCNT) gene on chromosome 21q22.3 cause microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II) in 25 patients. Adults with this rare inherited condition have an average height of 100 centimeters and a brain size comparable to that of a 3-month-old baby, but are of near-normal intelligence. Absence of PCNT results in disorganized mitotic spindles and missegregation of chromosomes. Mutations in related genes are known to cause primary microcephaly (MCPH1, CDK5RAP2, ASPM, and CENPJ).     

Systemic Immunosuppression by Methylprednisolone and Pregnancy Rates in Goats Undergoing the Transfer of Cloned Embryos

The presence of the zona pellucida has been perceived as a requirement for the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at early stages of development while protecting the embryo from an immune system response. We hypothesized that steroid hormone therapy could reduce a potential cellular immune response after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviduct of recipient female goats. In Experiment 1, seven does were used to study the systemic immunosuppressant effect of the methylprednisolone administration (for 3 days) on blood cell counts. Whole blood was collected prior to treatment with methyprednisolone and then on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first dose of methylprednisolone for the analysis of haematological parameters. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced circulating white blood cells and neutrophils in comparison with pre‐treatment levels, demonstrating a systemic immunosuppressant effect. In Experiment 2, a group of 58 does were used as recipient females to study the effect of administration of methylprednisolone for 3 days on the establishment of pregnancies after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviducts. No effects on pregnancy rates on Day 30 were observed regarding the distinct treatment groups (control vs. methylprednisolone), the source of oocytes (in vivo‐ vs in vitro‐matured) or the presence or absence of the zona pellucida in embryos. In summary, methylprednisolone was effective at inducing a systemic immunosuppressed state in goats, but the treatment prior to embryo transfer did not affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, pregnancy rates were similar between zona‐free and zona‐intact goat cloned embryos.     

Hypoosmotic Swelling Test in Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Epididymal Spermatozoa

The present study intended to develop the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test in alpaca for its use in epididymal spermatozoa, to evaluate the membrane functional integrity and determine an appropriate hypoosmotic solution and whether the incubation time of 15 or 60 min is sufficient for the execution of the test. Hypoosmotic solutions (HS) with the following concentrations were used: 50, 100, 150, 200 and 275 mOsm/kg of sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate and d ‐fructose. Ten microlitres of epididymal sperm sample was mixed in 150 μL of the respective HS and incubated for 15 or 60 min at 38°C. From the proportion of reacted (swollen) spermatozoa, the 150 mOsm/kg HS was the most sensitive (p < 0.05). The exposure times (15 and 60 min) did not have significant differences (p > 0.05) in the proportion of both strong‐ and total‐coiled sperm tails. In conclusion, 150 mOsm/kg HS and 15 min exposure time are optimal to evaluate the plasma membrane functional integrity through the HOS test in alpaca epididymal spermatozoa.     

Temperature and Pomaceous Flower Age Related to Colonization by Erwinia amylovora and Antagonists

ABSTRACT Fire blight of apple and pear is initiated by epiphytic populations of Erwinia amylovora on flower stigmas. Predicting this disease and managing it with microbial antagonists depends on an understanding of bacterial colonization on stigmas. Detached 'Manchurian' crab apple flowers were inoculated with E. amylovora and subjected to a range of constant temperatures or various fluctuating temperature regimes. Results may have application to disease risk assessment systems such as the Cougarblight model, which now are based on in vitro growth of the pathogen. In other experiments, detached crab apple flowers and attached 'Gala' apple flowers were maintained at different temperatures for various periods before inoculation with E. amylovora or antagonists (Pseudomonas fluorescens strain A506 and Pantoea agglomerans strains C9-1 and E325). Maximum stigma age supporting bacterial multiplication decreased as temperature increased, and was reduced by pollination. Stigmas were receptive to bacteria at ages older than previously reported, probably due to less interference from indigenous organisms. The study revealed antagonist limitations that possibly affect field performance (e.g., the inability of strain A506 to grow on relatively old stigmas conducive to the pathogen). Such deficiencies could be overcome by selecting other antagonists or using antagonist mixtures in the orchard.     

The Effect of Glycerol Concentrations on the Post‐thaw In Vitro Characteristics of Cryopreserved Sex‐sorted Boar Spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to optimize protocols for the cryopreservation of sex‐sorted boar spermatozoa. In the experiment 1, we evaluated the effects of a standard boar sperm cryopreservation procedure (3% final glycerol concentration) on the in vitro characteristics of sex‐sorted sperm frozen at low sperm concentrations (20 × 10⁶ sperm/ml; S20 group). Non‐sorted spermatozoa frozen at 1000 × 10⁶ (C1000 group) and 20 × 10⁶ (C20 group) sperm/ml were used as the freezing control groups. In experiment 2, the effects of different final glycerol concentrations (0.16%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%) on post‐thaw quality of the S20 and C20 groups were evaluated. In both experiments, the samples were evaluated prior to freezing (5°C) and at 30, 90 and 150 min after thawing. Experiment 1 indicated that freezing sperm at low concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) the total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) at 90 and 150 min after thawing regardless of whether the sperm were sorted or not. However, the sperm membrane integrity was not affected at any evaluation step. Inexperiment 2, significant effects on the TM and PM because of increased glycerol concentrations in the S20 and C20 groups were observed only at 90 and 150 min after thawing. The samples frozen in 3% glycerol showed lower (p < 0.05) TM and PM values when compared to those frozen in the presence of 0.5% and 1% glycerol. In both experiments, non‐sorted control samples displayed higher percentages of spermatozoa with damaged DNA than sorted spermatozoa. In conclusion, the optimization of cryopreservation conditions by decreasing the glycerol concentrations can improve post‐thaw motility of sex‐sorted spermatozoa frozen at low concentrations.     

Validation study of gas chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol in animal liver

A validation study was conducted of a gas chromatographic procedure for the determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in chicken, pork, and beef liver. Five analysts representing 5 laboratories analyzed randomly numbered blind duplicates at 3 fortified tissue concentrations and one incurred tissue on 2 consecutive days. The PCP concentrations ranged from approximately 40 to 400 parts per billion (ppb). All data were reported to 3 significant figures in ppb. The coefficients of variation for repeatability were between 2.8 and 8.5%, except for the beef liver, at a mean value of 80 ppb PCP, where the CV was 11.3%. The CVs for reproducibility were in the range of 9.7-16.5% with little significant difference by species. The CV asymptotically approached 10% as the PCP level increased.