Suppression of ovarian progesterone production in dairy cows using an implant of GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) for the purpose of evaluating progesterone metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of an implant of a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) to create a progesterone free animal suitable for studying progesterone (P4) metabolism in intact cows by measuring blood P4 and faecal P4 metabolites. METHODS: Experiment 1: Eighteen non-lactating cycling Holstein-Friesian cows, 4 to 7 years old, were allocated to one of three groups to study plasma P4 concentrations preceding an intravaginal insert. These groups comprised: i) a deslorelin group (GnRH-agonist implanted); ii) a PGF group receiving two injections of prostaglandin (PGF2alpha) 12 days apart; and, iii) an ovariectomised (OVX) group. An intravaginal device (CIDR) was inserted into the vagina of each animal and left in place for 11 days. Plasma P4 concentrations were measured during the study period. Experiment 2: Twelve non-lactating cycling Holstein-Friesian cows, 4 to 7 years old, were allocated to two groups: i) a deslorelin group (GnRH-agonist implanted); and ii) an ovariectomised group. Plasma P4 and faecal P4 metabolites (20-oxo-pregnanes, 20alpha-OH and 20beta-OH) were monitored for a period of 5 weeks. RESULTS: Experiment 1: Average plasma P4 concentration did not differ between the three groups (1.28, 1.43 and 1.55 ng/mL for deslorelin, OVX and PGF cows, respectively, P = 0.8) during the period of supplementation. Experiment 2: There was no difference in plasma P4 (mean plasma P4 < 0.02 ng/mL, P = 0.9) and faecal P4 metabolites between deslorelin and OVX cows 2 weeks after the implantation (P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) implant may be used as an alternative to ovariectomy to create a progesterone free animal suitable for studying the metabolism of administered P4.     

Mastitis Whey — a Good Medium for Bacteria?

Growth of mastitis pathogenic bacteria was measured in bovine whey samples by a turbidometric microtechnique. Whey from mastitis cows supported growth as compared with whey prepared from normal milk. Blood proteins leak into milk during mastitis. A study was undertaken to analyze which molecules from blood would promote bacterial growth in whey Fractions containing hemoglobin showed a distinct growth-promoting effect. An inadequate iron supply is one of the restricting growth factors for bacteria in milk. By utilizing heme-compounds the pathogens can by-pass the effect of antimicrobial iron-binding present in milk in the form of lactoferrin.     

催乳素对内蒙古绒山羊毛囊体外培养影响的研究

【目的】 研究催乳素（PRL）对内蒙古绒山羊初级毛囊和次级毛囊体外生长及形态变化的影响。【方法】 机械法结合切割法分离内蒙古绒山羊的初级毛囊和次级毛囊,在初级毛囊培养液中分别添加0、5、10、50、100 ng/mL催乳素进行体外培养,每组24根,共培养5 d,每天在显微镜下观察其形态并拍照,统计其生长长度、生长速度和存活率,筛选出最适催乳素处理浓度。然后将初级毛囊与次级毛囊分别分为初级毛囊对照组（PF-K）、初级毛囊试验组（PF-PRL）、次级毛囊对照组（SF-K）、次级毛囊试验组（SF-PRL）,每组24根,对照组用基础培养液培养,试验组在基础培养液中添加最适浓度的催乳素,培养5 d,每天观察毛囊的形态并拍照,同时测量各组毛囊的生长长度。【结果】 10 ng/mL催乳素组毛囊的平均日生长长度均极显著高于其他浓度组（P<0.01）,最终生长长度和存活率均最高,因此,后续试验选择10 ng/mL催乳素处理毛囊。试验组和对照组初/次级毛囊的毛干与根鞘部位同时伸长,随着培养时间的增加均出现不同程度的弯曲。PF-PRL、SF-PRL组毛囊在2~5 d的总长度分别极显著高于PF-K、SF-K组（P<0.01）。PF-K组除第1天与第0天差异不显著外,1~5 d毛囊的总长度依次显著增加（P<0.05）;PF-PRL组0~5 d毛囊的总长度依次显著增加（P<0.05）。SF-K组毛囊第5天的总长度显著高于0~4 d （P<0.05）;SF-PRL组第4、5天毛囊的总长度均显著高于0~3 d （P<0.05）,第3天毛囊的总长度显著高于0~2 d （P<0.05）。PF-PRL、SF-PRL组毛囊在2~5 d的平均日生长长度分别极显著高于PF-K、SF-K组（P<0.01）。【结论】 10 ng/mL催乳素是体外促进毛囊生长的最适浓度,10 ng/mL催乳素对体外培养的内蒙古绒山羊的初级毛囊和次级毛囊均有极显著的促生长作用。     

Do different agronomic soil tests identify similar nutrient deficiencies?

Traditionally, locally calibrated soil tests were used for fertilizer and lime recommendations. Farmers and advisors are increasingly using new ‘universal’ soil tests without local calibration. The objective of this study was to compare five commercially available soil tests and to determine whether they would provide similar recommendations. In total, 24 fields in Western Finland were sampled for 4 years while being treated with fertilizers, lime and manure. The soil samples were analysed with Mehlich-3, ammonium acetate, H3A, hydrochloric acid and mild acetic acid (Spurway) extractants. In addition, Soil Health Tool (CO₂ burst, water-soluble C and N) and tissue testing were conducted. The different tests extracted different orders of magnitude of nutrients (especially P and Mg), but the results from the different extractions were correlated. Mehlich-3 degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) presented a threshold, below which soluble phosphorus was not detected. Similar thresholds were found for P, S and Mg. Mehlich-3 and ammonium acetate provided similar results for Ca, Mg and K and can be used interchangeably for liming recommendations. Mehlich-3 identified more fields with Zn, Cu, B and S deficiencies and less fields with Mn deficiencies compared with ammonium acetate + EDTA and tissue testing. The tests had strong correlation, but the determination of nutrient deficiencies needs local calibration of deficiency limits.     

Sequestration of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in somatic cells during experimental bovine mastitis induced by endotoxin, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus agalactiae

Experimental mastitis was induced in cows by intramammary infusion of endotoxin, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus agalactiae. The inflammatory response was monitored by somatic cell counting and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase). NAGase activity was analysed in fresh milk samples in parallel with samples treated by a cycle of freezing and thawing combined with detergent treatment to release the cell-bound NAGase. Before the udder reacted by inflammation, the total NAGase activity consisted of free extracellular activity. Later on when the inflammation was established, much of the milk NAGase remained sequestered intracellularly. S agalactiae was linked with a high degree of cellular NAGase sequestration indicating a blockage of the lysosomal release function from the phagocytes. S aureus delayed the inflammatory response.     

Genetic diversity in honey bee colonies enhances productivity and fitness

Honey bee queens mate with many males, creating numerous patrilines within colonies that are genetically distinct. The effects of genetic diversity on colony productivity and long-term fitness are unknown. We show that swarms from genetically diverse colonies (15 patrilines per colony) founded new colonies faster than swarms from genetically uniform colonies (1 patriline per colony). Accumulated differences in foraging rates, food storage, and population growth led to impressive boosts in the fitness (i.e., drone production and winter survival) of genetically diverse colonies. These results further our understanding of the origins of polyandry in honey bees and its benefits for colony performance.     

Detection of a red supergiant progenitor star of a type II-plateau supernova

We present the discovery of a red supergiant star that exploded as supernova 2003gd in the nearby spiral galaxy M74. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Gemini Telescope imaged this galaxy 6 to 9 months before the supernova explosion, and subsequent HST images confirm the positional coincidence of the supernova with a single resolved star that is a red supergiant of 8(+4)(-2) solar masses. This confirms both stellar evolution models and supernova theories predicting that cool red supergiants are the immediate progenitor stars of type II-plateau supernovae.     

Comparison of in-line connected diode array and electrochemical detectors in the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) in food materials

In-line connected electrochemical (EC) and diode array (DAD) detectors were compared in the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) analysis of coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) in some food materials (beef steak, beef heart, Baltic herring fillet, and rye flour). Coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) were extracted from the samples using a 5:1 n-hexane-ethanol mixture. Coefficient of variation (CV%) of quadruplicate or quintuplicate determined samples for coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) was <10 by both EC detector and DAD. Responses of the detection systems were linear in the range evaluated, 10-200 ng/injection, and had correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. Recoveries of added coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) varied 73-105% for DAD and 74-103% for EC detector, respectively. Detection limits for coenzymes Q(9) and Q(10) using the DAD system were 4 and 6 ng/injection, respectively, and 0.2 and 0.3 ng/injection by EC detection. Results derived from the two detection systems were generally similar. However, although EC detector was 20-fold more sensitive, the selectivity was, in some cases, poorer than that of DAD.     

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and antitrypsin in subclinically infected quarter-milk samples: effect of bacteria and hemolysins, lactation stage, and lactation number

Interrelationships between N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (indicating cellular damage) and antitrypsin (indicating increased permeability between the blood and milk compartments) were evaluated in 1,411 quarter-milk samples collected during routine herd surveys. N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase was antitrypsin, whereas, in more severe mastitis, antitrypsin had a more constant deflection. The sensitivity of both determinants was associated with the virulence of bacteria. Production of bacterial hemolytic toxins was associated with a significant increase in both determinants. Penicillinase production by staphylococci was associated with selective increases of antitrypsin.