Manipulated Mouse Embryos as Bioassay System for Water Quality Control

Mouse pronuclear stage embryos with intact slit zona pellucida (manipulated) were cultured in vitro until the hatched blastocyst stage in simplex optimized medium with higher K⁺ concentration (KSOM) prepared with three different water types: tap, deionized reverse osmosis (D‐O) water and Milli‐Q system (M‐Q) water. The culture media were supplemented with or without protein and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, disodium salt). The rates of hatched blastocysts were significantly affected (p < 0.01) by micromanipulation, protein supplement and water source. The water source has no influence (p > 0.05) on development in EDTA‐supplemented protein‐free culture media, whereas in EDTA‐ and protein‐free culture media, the water quality significantly (p < 0.001) affected the rates of development, with higher rates in media prepared with M‐Q water. The micromanipulated embryos showed higher sensitivity to the water quality (p < 0.01). It worth mentioning that the rates of hatched blastocysts in protein‐free culture media were very low (0–7.5%). Furthermore, the three different water types were analysed by measuring the electrical conductivity, inorganic ions, total organic carbon and endotoxins to evaluate the purity. M‐Q water showed the lowest levels of inorganic ion, total organic carbon and endotoxin concentrations. We concluded that manipulated mouse embryos are good system to evaluate the quality of water used in biological system.     

ACE inhibition in goats under fixed‐time artificial insemination protocol increases the pregnancy rate and twin births

To assess the effect of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on the efficiency of the fixed‐time artificial insemination (TAI), 69 goats were divided randomly into two groups: enalapril (n = 35) and control (n = 34). In the experiment, all animals underwent the protocol of fixed‐time artificial insemination for 12 days. Enalapril group received enalapril maleate dissolved in saline (Enalapril, Lab Teuto Ltda) subcutaneously at the following doses: 0.2 mg/kg/day in D0‐D2; 0.3 mg/kg/day in D3‐D6 and 0.4 mg/kg/day in D7‐D11. The control group received the corresponding volume of 0.9% saline solution. We performed a single insemination 36 hr after sponge removal using frozen semen from two adult male goats with recognized fertility. The ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was 30 days after the artificial insemination (AI). There was significant increase in pregnancy rates and twinning as well as a decrease in foetal loss in animals receiving enalapril (p < .01). The use of ACE inhibitors during the TAI protocol was shown to be a promising alternative to increase the efficiency of such reproductive biotechnology.     

Sonography of the liver, gallbladder, and spleen

Focal hepatic and splenic lesions, vascular abnormalities, and disorders of the biliary system can readily be detected with ultrasonography. The sonographic appearance in certain cases may be nonspecific, but the differential diagnosis can be substantially narrowed when the presenting clinical signs are considered. Ultrasonography is less helpful when the liver or spleen is diffusely involved without parenchymal abnormalities. However, certain diseases may also be eliminated from diagnostic consideration on the basis of this finding. Percutaneous ultrasound guided biopsy markedly improves the success and safety of obtaining a definitive diagnosis when either diffuse or focal lesions are present. Sonography has also been very beneficial for serially evaluating the response to therapy once focal lesions of the liver or spleen have been identified.     

Gonadotropin‐induced Puberty Does Not Impair Reproductive Performance of Gilts over Three Parities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of three parities of gilts treated or not treated with gonadotropin to induce puberty. Sixty gilts received 600 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) followed by 2.5 mg of porcine luteinizing hormone (LH) 72 h later. Fifty‐nine other gilts were exposed only to a mature boar for 15 min twice daily. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed at 0, 12 and 24 h after the detection of oestrus, and gestation was confirmed by ultrasound after 35 days. Sows were inseminated at the first post‐weaning oestrus. The total numbers of piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn, mummified foetuses, as well as pregnancy and farrowing rates were evaluated for each of the three parities. Culling rates, farrowing intervals and weaning‐to‐oestrous intervals (WEI) were also analysed. Mean age at puberty and oestrous manifestation were not significantly different between treatments (p = 0.0639; 179.20 ± 17.52 compared with 173.96 ± 16.94, 91.66% compared with 94.92%) across the experimental period. However, females that underwent puberty induction showed modest increases both in the number of total pigs born and in the number of piglets born alive. In conclusion, puberty induction through exogenous gonadotropin administration in field conditions did not induce a more concentrated first oestrous manifestation, but trended to a modest increase in the number of pigs born alive in the first parity and a reduced culling rate during the first gestation.     

The glucocorticoid receptor: rapid exchange with regulatory sites in living cells

Steroid receptors bind to site-specific response elements in chromatin and modulate gene expression in a hormone-dependent fashion. With the use of a tandem array of mouse mammary tumor virus reporter elements and a form of glucocorticoid receptor labeled with green fluorescent protein, targeting of the receptor to response elements in live mouse cells was observed. Photobleaching experiments provide direct evidence that the hormone-occupied receptor undergoes rapid exchange between chromatin and the nucleoplasmic compartment. Thus, the interaction of regulatory proteins with target sites in chromatin is a more dynamic process than previously believed.     

Survey of ixodid ticks and two tick-borne pathogens in African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, from the Caprivi Strip, Namibia

A capture operation to ascertain health status in free-ranging buffaloes from six different areas in the Caprivi Strip in the northeast corner of Namibia was conducted in October 2009. Basic information on the ticks and tick-borne pathogens normally found in wildlife from this area are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the host status of African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, for ixodid ticks and two selected tick-borne pathogens in the Caprivi Strip, a key area bordering Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Four different tick species have been identified among the 233 collected specimens, and, of 95 tested buffaloes, 54 (57%) were positive for Theileria parva, whereas only 3 (3%) showed evidence of being infected with Ehrlichia ruminantium.     

The influence of stand density and canopy position on sulfur content in needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.)

Analysis of total S in tree foliage has become widely accepted as a means of assessing S pollution of forests when air quality data are lacking. An investigation of total S content of mixed needle samples of different age and canopy height from two stands of young Norway spruce with different densities showed that S-content exceeded the maximum natural S-content (i.e. in the absence of SO₂-pollution) for spruce. Significantly higher average needle S contents were encountered with decreasing stand density. Changed aerodynamic roughness and physiological status of thinned trees indicated combined action of atmospheric and tree physiological variables on S deposition and uptake in forest ecosystems. A marked increase in S content from 1 yr old to older needles and from the lower to the upper canopy was observed.     

BILATERAL OVARIAN ADENOCARCINOMA IN A DOG: ULTRASONOGRAPHIC-AIDED DIAGNOSIS

Abdominal ultrasonography was instrumental in the diagnosis of bilateral ovarian adenocarcinoma in a twelve year old female Irish Setter. Severe ascites limited the diagnostic quality of abdominal radiography, but enhanced ultrasonographic images. Ultrasonographically, the ovarian tumors were large, contained multiple anechoic cystic structures, and had irregular margins. The ultrasonographic appearance of ovarian adenocarcinoma has not been previously reported.