Effects of finasteride on size of the prostate gland and semen quality in dogs with benign prostatic hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride on prostatic diameter and volume, semen quality, and serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone concentrations in dogs with spontaneous benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). DESIGN: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial. ANIMALS: 9 dogs with BPH. PROCEDURE: Five dogs were treated with finasteride for 16 weeks (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg [0.05 to 0.23 mg/lb] of body weight, PO, q 24 h); the other 4 received a placebo. Prostatic diameter, measured radiographically, prostatic volume, measured ultrasonographically, semen quality, and serum DHT and testosterone concentrations were evaluated before and during treatment. After receiving the placebo for 16 weeks, the 4 control dogs were treated with finasteride for 16 weeks, and evaluations were repeated. RESULTS: Finasteride significantly decreased prostatic diameter (mean percentage decrease, 20%), prostatic volume (mean percentage decrease, 43%), and serum DHT concentration (mean percentage decrease, 58%). Finasteride decreased semen volume but did not adversely effect semen quality or serum testosterone concentration. No adverse effects were reported by owners of dogs in the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that finasteride can be used to reduce prostatic size in dogs with BPH without adversely affecting semen quality or serum testosterone concentration.     

Tumour inhibitory activity of chicory root extract against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice

The tumour-inhibitory effect of an ethanolic extract of chicory root was studied against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice; significant results were obtained at doses from 300 to 700 mg/kg.     

Yield and water use efficiency of cauliflower under varying irrigation frequencies and water application methods in Lower Gangetic Plain of India

A field study (1999-2000 to 2001-2002) was carried out to optimize the irrigation frequency and suitable water application methods for cauliflower with a view to increase curd yield (CY) and water use efficiency (WUE). Check Basin (CB), Each Furrow (EF) and Alternate Furrow (AF) methods were tested with three irrigation frequencies depending on the attainment of soil matric potential (Ψ_m) value at 0.2 m depth as: −0.03 MPa (F₁), −0.05 MPa (F₂) and −0.07 MPa (F₃). Maximum CY was recorded under F₁ and decreased by 10.4 and 31.4%, respectively under F₂ and F₃ frequencies. In contrast, WUE decreased by 9.3% from F₃ to F₁. Highest CY and WUE obtained under CB followed by EF and AF methods. Furrow application methods saved 12-24% irrigation water over CB method. Maximum soil water stress coefficient (K_s) recorded at curd development stage in comparison to other stages. Both seasonal evapotranspiration (ET_a) and yield-moisture stress index (Kys) recorded positive linear relationships with CY. Present study shows a crop response factor of 0.822 for cauliflower. In this region, cauliflower should be irrigated with check basin method at an interval of 8-10 days.     

Characterization of α-amylase and its activity from mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera) and its inhibition by Rorippa indica defensin

Abstract

Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach is one of the economically important pests of Indian mustard Brassica juncea. Plant defense against these pests include impairing digestive processes in the insect gut. Thus, for an effective pest management, it is imperative to understand the digestive enzymes present in the pest. The present study involves the characterization of mustard aphid α-amylase and the efficacy of a potent insecticidal agent, RiD (Rorippa indica defensin) against it. The total protein of L. erysimi was analysed to determine the α-amylase activity present in it. The relative α-amylase activity in the total protein was assayed by the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) procedure, using 1% soluble starch as substrate and was observed to be 2.32?±?0.025?U/mL of the total protein. The optimum temperature for α-amylase activity was found to be 35?°C and optimum pH was recorded as 6.5. Presence of RiD showed a decrease in the α-amylase activity in a non-competitive way. Moreover, cryo-sections of the aphid midgut also revealed bound RiD in the confocal analysis.     

Role of irrigation and mulch on yield, evapotranspiration rate and water use pattern of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

Irrigation management strategy invites the quantification of crop response to irrigation frequencies. Conventionally, mulches increase the yield and water use efficiency (WUE) to a great extent by augmenting the water status in the root zone profile. A field study was carried out during the winter season (November-March) of 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 at the Central Research Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (Latitude 22°58′N, Longitude 88°31′E and altitude 9.75 m amsl), Gayeshpur, India, to evaluate the effect of irrigation frequencies and mulches on evapotranspiration rate from tomato crop field as well as leaf area index (LAI), fruit yield and WUE of the crop. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design where three irrigation treatments {rainfed (RF); CPE₅₀ and CPE₂₅ where irrigation was given at 50 and 25 mm of cumulative pan evaporation (CPE)} were kept in the main plots and the subplots contained four mulch managements {no mulch (NM), rice straw mulch (RSM), white polyethylene mulch (WPM) and black polyethylene mulch (BPM)}. Under CPE₂₅, tomato crop recorded significantly higher leaf area index (LAI) over CPE₅₀ and rainfed condition. LAI value under BPM was 9-30% more over other mulches. Maximum variation of LAI among different treatments was recorded at 60 days after transplanting (DAT). Fruit yield under CPE₂₅ was 39.4 Mg ha⁻¹; a reduction of 7 and 30% has been obtained under CPE₅₀ and RF condition. The use of mulch increased 23-57% yield in comparison to NM condition. Actual evapotranspiration rate (ET_R) was 1.82 mm day⁻¹ under CPE₂₅ and declined by 15 and 31% under CPE₅₀ and RF condition, respectively. The variation of ET_R among different mulches became more prominent under maximum water stressed (RF) condition, whereas the variation was negligible under CPE₂₅ frequency. Irrespective of mulching WUE was highest under moderately wet (CPE₅₀) soil environment. Among different mulches, BPM was responsible for attaining the highest WUE value (25.1 kg m⁻³), which declined by 22, 21 and 39% under WPM, RSM and NM, respectively.     

Effects of combinations of heavy metals on hill activity of Azolla pinnata

The effects of combinations of Hg, As, Ph, Cu, Cd, and Cr on Hill activity of Azolla pinnata R.Br. were studied. All of the combinations of heavy metals decreased Hill activity of chloroplasts over control values. The effects were most pronounced with the treatments of (Hg + As + Pb + Cu + Cd + Cr), followed by (Hg + As + Pb + Cu + Cd). The degree of inhibition of Hill activity in the species by combinations of heavy metals is less due to antagonistic effects (when 2 or 3 metals in combinations), and is much higher due to synergism (when 4 or more metals in combinations) than that by individual heavy metals tested. The harmful effects of the individual metals were, in general, found by the treatments in the order: Cd > Hg > Cu > As > Pb > Cr.     

Transgenic Bt-Cotton Affects Enzyme Activity and Nutrient Availability in a Sub-Tropical Inceptisol

We investigated the dynamics of N and P availability in the rhizosphere of Bt and non- Bt cotton crops during their growth. In a net-house pot culture experiment at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Bt -cotton (cv. MRC-6301 Bt ) and its non-transgenic near-isoline (MRC-6301) were grown on a sandy loam soil until maturity. A control (no-crop) treatment was also included. Rhizosphere soil and root samples were collected at 60, 90, and 120 days after sowing (DAS). Soil samples were analysed for dehydrogenase activity, soil respiration, mineral-N and Olsen-P. Results have revealed a significant reduction in dehydrogenase activity (−17 %) and soil respiration (−3.5 %) in the rhizosphere of Bt -cotton over non- Bt isoline. Total mineral-N (NH₄⁺-N +      -N) in soil was reduced by 14 %, whereas Olsen-P was increased by 8 % because of Bt -cotton. Root biomass yields were not different (P   >   0.05), but root volume was significantly higher in Bt than non- Bt isoline. Time of sampling strongly (P   <   0.05) affected the above parameters, showing their highest values at 60 or 90 DAS. A significant interactive effect of sampling time and treatments was also indicated. Our results suggest that Bt -cotton may constrain the availability of N, but enhances P-availability in these soils.