Differing trophic niches of three French stygobionts and their implications for conservation of endemic stygofauna

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Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on zootechnical performance,haematological parameters and sperm quality of lebranche mullet Mugil liza

The feed provided to breeding fish is one of the main factors influencing the quality of fish gametes. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of ascorbic acid on growth, haematological parameters and sperm quality of Lebranche mullet males (Mugil liza). Six diets with different levels of ascorbic acid (0; 53; 107; 216; 482 and 708 mg/kg) were tested in triplicate for 75 days. During spermiation (first gonadal maturation), 144 individuals (205.7 ± 11.5 g and 25.7 ± 0.4 cm) were randomly distributed in 18 experimental tanks. Growth parameters were evaluated at the beginning and end of the experiment. Fish blood was collected to analyse glucose, total protein and erythrocyte count (EC) (n = 9). Fish (n = 12) from each treatment were euthanized to determine hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Semen was collected to evaluate spermatic density, cell membrane integrity and sperm motility. No difference (p > .05) was found on growth parameters, GSI, HSI and total protein. However, EC was lower in fish fed without ascorbic acid (the control group). Ascorbic acid supplementation provided positive effects on sperm characteristics. Fish from treatments with 53 and 107 mg/kg presented the best results for motility time (133.30 ± 4.25 and 135.00 ± 2.77 respectively). Treatments with 107, 216 and 708 mg/kg provided the best results for motility rate (92.0 ± 2.9%, 93.0 ± 5.8% and 93.0 ± 5.8% respectively). Supplementation with 107 and 216 mg/kg provided the best results for plasma membrane integrity (70.12 ± 9.10% and 76.3 ± 3.1% respectively). Lower spermatic density was observed in fish without ascorbic acid supplementation, although no difference was found in sperm density among the treatments with ascorbic acid (p < .05). Considering these results, supplementation of dietary ascorbic acid between 107 and 216 mg/kg optimizes the spermatic quality in males of lebranche mullet.     

Fundamental evaluation of the impact of high Hydrostatic Pressure on oat batters

The use of grains alternative to wheat or rye is a challenging task for cereal technologists, and currently new technologies are under investigation as tools to improve the performances of these alternative grains. In this work the effects of high Hydrostatic Pressure (HP) on oat batters were investigated. Oat batters were treated for 10 min at 200, 300, 350, 400 or 500 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy and bright field microscopy showed that high HP significantly affected oat batter microstructure, and both starch and proteins were affected. Treatment at high HP significantly improved batter viscosity and elasticity. At pressures ≤300 MPa the increase in the viscous component was higher than the increase in the elastic component. On the contrary, at pressures ≥350 MPa the elastic component was predominant. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that high HP induced starch gelatinisation, which started at 300 MPa and was almost complete after treatment at 500 MPa. High HP also affected water- and salt-soluble as well as urea-soluble oat proteins. Analysis of proteins soluble in different buffers revealed that pressures ≥300 MPa induced the formation of urea-insoluble complexes and/or disulfide bonds. Overall, the extent of starch gelatinisation and protein modification was dependent on the applied pressure, but the results collected so far clearly show that high HP can be used to improve the functionality of oat batters.     

Exploring connectivity between spawning and nursery areas of Mullus barbatus (L., 1758) in the Mediterranean through a dispersal model

Connectivity between spawning and nursery areas plays a major role in determining the spatial structure of fish populations and the boundaries of stock units. Here, the potential effects of surface current on a red mullet population in the Central Mediterranean were simulated using a physical oceanographic model. Red mullet larvae were represented as Lagrangian drifters released in known spawning areas of the Strait of Sicily (SoS), which represents one of the most productive demersal fishing‐grounds of the Mediterranean. To consider the effect of inter‐annual variability of oceanographic patterns, numerical simulations were performed for the spawning seasons from 1999 to 2012. The main goal was to explore connectivity between population subunits, in terms of spawning and nursery areas, inhabiting the northern (Sicilian‐Maltese) and southern (African) continental shelves of the SoS. The numerical simulations revealed a certain degree of connectivity between the Sicilian–Maltese and the African sides of the SoS. Connectivity is present in both directions, but it is stronger from the Sicilian–Maltese spawning areas to the African nurseries owing to the marine circulation features of the region. However, because the majority of the larvae are transported to areas unsuitable for settlement or outside the SoS, the dispersal process is characterized by a strong loss of potential settlers born in the spawning areas. These results are in agreement with the low genetic heterogeneity reported for this species in the Mediterranean Sea and support the existence of a metapopulation structure of red mullet in the SoS and the adjacent areas.     

Ocular teratoid medulloepithelioma in a northern red-shouldered macaw: case report and literature review

A 4-mo-old northern red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) was admitted to the veterinary hospital of the Arruda Câmara Zoo, in the State of Paraiba, Brazil, for investigation of an orbital mass. Given rapid progression and lack of response to treatment, the bird was euthanized, and an autopsy was performed. Histologically, the mass consisted of a retrobulbar invasive tumor characterized by tubular and rosette-like structures, with interspersed heteroplastic tissues, such as aggregates of neuroglial cells and islands of hyaline cartilage. The tumor was immunopositive for pancytokeratin, GFAP, NSE, and S100. These findings were compatible with an ocular teratoid medulloepithelioma, a neoplasm best described in humans but also reported rarely in young cockatiels and African Grey parrots.     

Weak effects of habitat type on susceptibility to invasive freshwater species: an Italian case study

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A Five-Day Progesterone Plus eCG-Based Fixed-Time AI Protocol Improves Fertility Over Spontaneous Estrus in High-Producing Dairy Cows Under Heat Stress

This study compared the efficiency of a five-day or standard (nine-day) progesterone-based regimen combined with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) in a fixed-time AI (FTAI) protocol for dairy cows. The data examined were derived from 3577 inseminations conducted in three dairy herds. Animals with no estrus signs detected over 21 days were randomly assigned to a PRID-9 or PRID-5 group. Cows in each group received a progesterone intravaginal device (PRID) for 9 or 5 days, respectively, PGF_2α and eCG on PRID removal, and GnRH 48 h later. Fixed-time AI was performed 12 h after the GnRH dose. Cows artificially inseminated following spontaneous estrus during the study period were considered as controls. Based on the odds ratio, the likelihoods of animals in PRID-9 in the warm (conception rate [CR] of 22.3%) and cool (32% CR) periods, and control animals in the warm period (26.6% CR) becoming pregnant were reduced (by factors of 0.6, 0.3 and 0.4, respectively) compared with the control animals in the cool period (CR of 43.7%). The risk of a twin pregnancy was higher (51.4%) for cystic PRID-9 cows (by a factor of 3.6) and lower (9.9%) for cyclic PRID-5 animals (by a factor of 0.4) compared with the PRID-9 cyclic cows. These findings indicate that the proposed protocol achieves similar results during the cool or warm season to those obtained when AI is conducted at spontaneous estrus during the cool season. In addition, PRID-5 reduced twin pregnancy compared with PRID-9.