Comparative Immunolocalization of Heat Shock Proteins (Hsp)-60, -70, -90 in Boar, Stallion, Dog and Cat Spermatozoa

Heat shock proteins (Hsp)-60, -70 and -90 are important testis chaperones that fulfil several functions during sperm cell maturation. In post-meiotic cells, their expression may change or may be undetectable and in some species it may be evident in mature spermatozoa. The aims of this study were to verify whether Hsp60, -70 and -90 are present in the sperm, and to compare their localization in boar, stallion, cat and dog spermatozoa by immunofluorescence. Hsp-60 immunoreactivity was detected in sperm midpiece in all the species examined. In stallion sperm, Hsp70 signal was localized in the sub-equatorial band, whereas immunoreactivity was evident on the neck of dog spermatozoa and on both neck and sub-equatorial region of cat spermatozoa. In agreement with our previous observations, a triangular fluorescent signal in the equatorial segment of fresh boar sperm was detected. Hsp90 immunoreactivity was present in different portions of sperm tail: in the midpiece of both boar and cat spermatozoa and in the neck and throughout the tail in dog and stallion spermatozoa, respectively. When capacitation and acrosome reaction were induced in boar, stallion and dog spermatozoa, no changes in both Hsp60 and -90 were recorded by either Western blot or immunofluorescence. After induction of acrosome reaction, a Hsp70 redistribution in boar spermatozoa and an increased percentage of stallion spermatozoa showing the post-acrosomal signal were observed although no changes were recorded by Western blot; in dog spermatozoa, no changes in Hsp70 were found by Western blot and immunofluorescence after capacitation and acrosome reaction.     

Gibberellic acid and flower bud development in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

The application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to the whole loquat tree from mid-May to early June and from early August to the onset of flowering, significantly reduced the number of premature flowering shoots per current shoot and per m³ of canopy, and so reduced the total number of panicles per m³ of canopy. The number of vegetative shoots per m³ of canopy was also significantly reduced by applying GA₃. The response depended on the concentration applied and produced optimal results at 50 mg l⁻¹. Differences in the number of flowers per panicle and leaves per shoot were not significantly modified by the treatment. Nevertheless, GA₃ applied directly to the developing apex near to flower differentiation reduced the number of flowers per panicle by 25–35% and without modifying the morphological characteristics of the panicle. Results suggest that less sprouting of lateral buds was largely responsible for the reduction in flowering intensity caused by GA₃. Best treatments reduced thinning costs (60%, approximately) of premature flowering shoots, slightly increased fruit diameter and significantly improved fruit colour and juice quality, thus advancing harvest date.     

Intrauterine device for contraception in dogs

A new intrauterine device for contraception was tested on nine bitches. After it had been implanted, the bitches were mated but none of them became pregnant. Over a two-year period no side effects were observed, except in a bulldog bitch in which signs of oestrus persisted until the device had been removed.     

Fingerprinting Hydrocarbons in a Contaminated Soil from an Italian Natural Reserve and Assessment of the Performance of a Low-Impact Bioremediation Approach

An environmentally friendly procedure suitable to restore a protected area was evaluated at laboratory scale. Soil contaminated by high molecular weight (C > 10) aliphatic hydrocarbons and by chromium was withdrawn from the study site and a qualitative study of soil hydrocarbon components was first performed in order to assess the potential source of contamination. To this aim, a number of characteristic diagnostic ratios of hydrocarbon components were derived by processing chromatographic data, and were used as indicators for distinguishing anthropogenic from natural hydrocarbons. Then, the efficiency of landfarming for soil remediation was tested by comparing the effect of a few selected amendments and by monitoring the fate of chromium. Soil microbial abundance and activity were also evaluated. Results showed that soil hydrocarbons were mainly of anthropogenic origin and land treatment allowed effective degradation by native microbial populations even in the absence of amendments. The investigated procedures had no effect on the mobilisation of chromium that remained in its stable form of Cr(III). Conventional land treatment may therefore be an effective and safe procedure for the removal of hydrocarbons even in the presence of chromium, and may be applied to areas where low-impact procedures are strictly required.