Ovarian activity in F1 prepubertal ewe lambs under tropical conditions

Seventy crossbred ewe lambs, born from Pelibuey (PB) dams mated with five sire breeds: White Dorper × PB (WD × PB), Black Head Dorper × PB (BHD × PB), Ile de France × PB (Ile × PB) Katahdin × PB (KT × PB) and Pelibuey (PB × PB), were used to determine age and weight to puberty, follicular populations during prepubertal development, ovulation rate at first ovulation and function of the first corpus luteum (FCL). Ewe lambs were maintained under grazing conditions and were supplemented with 300 g head^− 1 day^− 1 of a concentrate with 14% CP and 3.0 Mcal ME kg^− 1 of DM. From 145 days of age, monthly observations were performed by endoscopy to monitor follicular populations and luteal structures. Ovarian follicles were classified according to size into small (≥ 1 and < 3 mm), medium (≥ 3 and ≤ 4 mm) and large (> 4 mm). Additionally, weekly observations by ultrasonography were performed in four ewes per genotype to assess follicular populations. Luteal function from first ovulation was determined by circulating concentrations of progesterone. Ovulation rate was not affected by genotype (P > 0.05). All breed groups had the same pattern of follicular populations, where most of follicles were small, followed by medium and a small proportion of large follicles. Maximum diameter of follicles was similar for all genotypes during prepubertal development (P > 0.05), with an average range of 3.9 ± 0.20 to 4.4 ± 0.20 mm. The BHD × PB reached puberty at the youngest age of 240.9 ± 13.0 days, compared to all other genotypes (P < 0.05), 259.1 ± 11.7 for WD × PB, 279.3 ± 9.6 for KT × PB and 289.0 ± 15.3 days for PB × PB and 308.6 ± 11.9 days for Ile × PB ewe lambs. Ile × PB had greater weight to first ovulation (31.5 ± 1.19 kg) as compared to other breed groups (P < 0.01). The largest percentage of FCL was for KT × PB ewes (100%) (P < 0.05), followed by BHD × PB (88.9%), PB × PB (83.3), WD × PB (78.6%) and Ile × PB (77.8%). There were no differences in ovulation rate attributable to type of lambing from which ewe lambs came from (P > 0.05). BHD × PB ewe lambs reached puberty at an earlier age than other in this study. KT × PB ewe lambs had the highest percentage of FCL in their first ovulation. Breed of sire Ile de France increased weight to puberty and decreased FCL at first ovulation. In conclusion, the BHD × PB ewe showed puberty at an earlier age than other genotypes, while the KT × PB had the highest percentage of functional corpus luteum in their first ovulation. Ewe lambs coming from single lambings reach puberty at a heavier weight than those coming from multiple lambings. The ovulation rate in the first ovulation of ewe lambs is not affected by genotype and type of lambing.     

外源人绒毛膜促性腺激素诱导黑边石斑鱼排卵的研究

【目的】了解外源人绒毛膜促性腺激素(human chorionic gonadotropin,HCG)诱导黑边石斑鱼(Epinephelus fasciatus)排卵的影响。【方法】以成熟的黑边石斑鱼为研究对象,测量其体长、体质量和肥满度后,在2018年7—8月,使用HCG激素(剂量为200 IU/kg或500 IU/kg)注射分别对6尾雌鱼进行成熟诱导。【结果】在200 IU/kg HCG处理中,注射24 h前有5尾雌鱼的卵母细胞处于第三次卵黄球前期阶段;注射48 h后2尾雌鱼出现核移动卵母细胞,1尾雌鱼的卵母细胞为第三次卵黄球后期阶段;注射60 h后1尾雌鱼出现排卵现象,其余5尾雌鱼均为第三次卵黄球后期阶段。在200 IU/kg HCG处理的排卵个体中,注射时其卵母细胞直径为477.0 μm,注射后60 h卵母细胞的直径增加至624.4 μm。此外,经催产、排卵、受精和孵化后共获得总卵数16 906粒,受精率为68.7%,孵化率为43.0%。而500 IU/kg HCG处理的黑边石斑鱼排卵失败。【结论】使用剂量为200 IU/kg的外源HCG激素可诱导黑边石斑鱼成熟且排卵,但为了提高排卵率、受精率和孵化率,其注射剂量和效应时间还需要进一步调节。     

高等植物启动子功能和结构研究进展

 启动子是控制植物基因表达的重要DNA序列结构,文章简述了启动子的定义、分类和启动子的研究策略。并着重从组成型启动子、组织特异型启动子和诱导型启动子3个方面介绍了它们的功能和结构的研究现状。提出了植物基因工程中启动子研究存在的问题与展望。     

Ovarian Activity at Naturally Attained Oestrus in the Sow. An Ultrasonographic and LH Study

In 6 multiparous crossbred sows (2nd to 4th parity, Swedish Landrace x Swedish Yorkshire), 15 proosestrous-oestrous periods during 2 oestrous cycles were studied after weaning. The animals were controlled for oestrus, and the follicular growth and ovulation in their ovaries were followed by transrectal ultrasonography. Blood was sampled through indwelling catheters for analyses of LH and progesterone (P₄).The duration of oestrus (standing reflex) was 47 ± 12.4 h, and the interval from onset of standing reflex until the end of ovulation was 39 ± 12.4 h (range 20-64 h). The LH peak concentration was 3.7 ± 0.8 μg/1, and the interval from LH peak level until ovulation was 23 ± 8.4 h (range 8-32 h). The onset of standing reflex occurred in average 13 h before the LH peak level (range -4 - +36 h).The peripheral plasma concentration of P₄ showed a normal cyclic pattern in all animals. Low levels (mean levels, 1.1-1.3 nmol/1) were seen during prooestrus and oestrus, high mean levels were found on days 10-16 (45-75 nmol/1) in the oestrous cycle. It was concluded that for an accurate determination of ovulation, each animal has to be examined repeatedly. Ultrasonography is a most valuable tool for this purpose.     

Induction of Tolerance to Fusarium Wilt and Defense-Related Mechanisms in the Plantlets of Susceptible Berangan Banana Pre-lnoculated with Pseudomonas sp. （UPMP3） and Burkholderia sp. （UPMB3）

This study is aimed at assessing the ability of two endophytic bacteria originally isolated from healthy oil palm roots, Pseudomonas sp. （UPMP3） and Burkholderia sp. （UPMB3） to induce resistance in susceptible Berangan banana against Fusarium oxysporum race 4 （FocR4）. Increased accumulation of resistance-related enzymes such as peroxidase （PO）, phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL）, lignithioglycolic acid （LTGA）, and pathogenesis-related （PR） proteins （ehitinase and β-1,3-glucanase） has been observed in plantlets treated with endophytic bacteria UPMP3 and UPMB3 singly or as mixture under glasshouse conditions. Pre-inoculation of banana plantlets with UPMP3 showed a significant reduction in Fusarium wilt incidence 72 d after challenged inoculation with FocR4. UPMB3 was less effective in suppressing Fusarium wilt compared to UPMP3, whereas, the mixture of both endophytes showed an intermediate effect. Based on these results, it is concluded that UPMP3 could be a promising biological control agent that can trigger resistance against Fusarium wilt in susceptible Berangan banana.     

不同外源激素对胀果甘草愈伤组织诱导及褐化的影响

以胀果甘草下胚轴、子叶为外植体,以MS为基本培养基,研究了不同激素浓度配比对胀果甘草愈伤组织诱导率和褐化率的影响.结果表明:不同浓度的6-BA、2,4-D以及6-BA、NAA组合下的子叶、下胚轴愈伤组织诱导率及褐化率均具有极显著差异;NAA对子叶愈伤组织的诱导效果好于2,4-D,较高浓度的6-BA、NAA及较低浓度的6-BA、2,4-D更易导致下胚轴、子叶愈伤组织的褐化;供试范围内胀果甘草下胚轴和子叶愈伤组织诱导的最佳培养基为MS+1.5mg·L-1NAA+0.5mg·L-16-BA和MS+2.5mg·L-1NAA+0.5mg·L-16-BA.     

Biological Functions of TLRs in Mammalian Ovulation Processes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is the main category of pattern recognition receptors.It is not only expressed in classical immune cells,but also expressed in the ovary and the genital tract of a variety of mammals.It plays an important role in ovarian activities.Biological functions of TLRs in the ovulation processes is the main research content in the field of reproductive immunology because that ovulation is a core event in ovarian activities and the key to determine the success or failure of reproductive.This review will concentrate on expression and distribution of TLRs in mammalian ovary,regulation mechanisms of TLRs expression and function,and the functions and significance of the ovulation process.Then we analyze briefly its possible functions in ovulation-related diseases.We want to provide a reference in research areas of reproductive immunology.     

辣椒中L型凝集素类受体激酶CaLecRKs鉴定及其对辣椒疫霉的响应

L型凝集素类受体激酶(LecRKs)广泛参与植物的先天免疫过程。目前未见在辣椒Capsicum annuum中全基因组鉴定LecRKs的报道。本研究对辣椒中的CaLecRK进行了全基因组鉴定, 并在接种辣椒疫霉Phytophthora capsici条件下通过基因表达分析探究其对辣椒疫霉的响应情况, 旨在挖掘参与辣椒抗疫病防御反应的CaLecRK基因。研究结果表明, 辣椒基因组中共鉴定出24个CaLecRK, 以其构建系统发育树发现, 可将24个CaLecRK分为7个分支。基因表达分析结果显示, 有4个CaLecRK基因(CaLecRK2.2、CaLecRK3.2、CaLecRK8.1和CaLecRK10.1)受辣椒疫霉诱导, 和接菌后0 h相比, 接菌处理后12 h 或36 h基因表达差异显著, 推测其在辣椒抗疫病防御反应中发挥了重要作用。     

Progress on major genes for high fecundity in ewes

The existence of major genes affecting fecundity in sheep flocks throughout the world has been demonstrated. Three major genes whose mutations can increase ovulation rate have been discovered, and all related to the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. The mutant FecB of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR1B) has an additive effect on ovulation rate. Six mutations (FecX^I, FecX^H, FecX^G, FecX^B, FecX^L, FecX^R) of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) related with fertility have been identified that share the same mechanism. All the mutants can increase ovulation rate in heterozygotes and cause complete sterility in homozygotes. Homozygous ewes with two new mutations (FecX^Gr, FecX^O) of BMP15 had increased ovulation rate without causing sterility. There are five mutations in growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) associated with sheep prolificacy where FecG^E and FecG^F have additive an effect on ovulation rate and litter size. The newly identified β-1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 (B4GALNT2) gene of FecL is proposed as a new mechanism of ovulation rate regulation in sheep. Woodlands is an X-linked maternally imprinted gene which increases ovulation rate. In addition, several putative major genes need to be verified. This review is focused on the identification of the mutations and mechanisms whereby the major genes affecting ovulation rate.     

香蕉ACC氧化酶基因(MAO3)的克隆及其表达特性分析

 根据同源扩增得到香蕉(Musa acuminata) ACC氧化酶基因(MAO3) 的核心部分, 再通过3'和5'RACE扩增上、下游序列以及Genome-Walker的方法得到启动子部分, 共获得3 718 bp长度的序列。将所得结果进行聚类分析, 发现香蕉中ACC氧化酶的氨基酸序列非常保守, 各序列间的同一性高达99% ,与单子叶植物和双子叶植物中ACC氧化酶的氨基酸序列的同源性在66.7%～71.8%之间。组织原位杂交试验表明MAO3基因的表达具有组织特异性, 初步认为是在韧皮部筛管组织中特异表达。运用实时荧光定量PCR技术, 实时监测到了MAO3基因和香蕉乙烯受体基因ERS2受机械伤诱导的定量变化。