Role of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 during porcine oocyte maturation

Previous our studies have shown that CD44, the principal receptor for hyaluronan, is present on cumulus cells during oocyte maturation. Although hyaluronan-CD44 interaction has been implicated in cumulus expansion and/or oocyte maturation, the full significance of CD44 remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to further investigate the role of CD44 in cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in pigs. We demonstrate here in that CD44 has a key role in oocyte maturation but not in cumulus expansion. Previous studies have reported the physiological significance of cumulus expansion in oocyte maturation. However, our results suggest that cumulus expansion is a necessary condition for oocyte maturation, but that it is not sufficient on its own. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that the CD44 of the in vitro-matured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) had a larger molecular weight and more terminal sialic acid, which has been proven to inhibit the hyaluronan-binding ability of the receptor, than the CD44 of the in vivo-matured COCs, indicating that the hyaluronan-CD44 interactions during in vitro maturation might be insufficient compared with those in vivo. The insufficient interactions of hyaluronan-CD44 during in vitro maturation may cause the inferior capacity of fertilization and development of oocytes matured in vitro.     

Sequential Leaching of Volcanic Soil to Determine Plant-Available Cations and the Provence of Soil Minerals Using Sr Isotopes

Sequential leaching experiments using H₂O, H₂O₂, NH₄Cl, and HCl were performed on surface soils on an andesite substrate at four sites in the Kawakami mountainous area, central Japan. The solutions extracted from the dehydrated soil by H₂O, H₂O₂, and NH₄Cl have relatively constant ratios with respect to Ca, Mg, and Sr, while they have variable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios depending on the site. The elemental ratios and Sr isotopes in the extracted solution are different from those of the soil minerals but identical to those of the soil solution and the plants. Sr isotopic data indicate that the residues after extraction from fine-grained minerals by NH₄Cl and HCl are a mixture of acid-resistant minerals derived from bedrock and from arid areas in China. We suggest that there is a vital exchange of Sr and other cations between plants and the soil pool of exchangeable cations through the soil solution, while soil minerals, except chlorite, do not participate in the exchange reaction.     

Alteration in the apoptosis process of rat esophageal epithelium with hyperproliferation of indigenous bacteria under a physiological condition

The apoptosis process in rat esophageal epithelium was investigated using enzyme-immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. As a result, Fas and Fas-L were expressed in the epithelial cell membrane and cytoplasm from the stratum spinosum (SS) to the stratum granulosum (SG). No TNF-R1 show immunopositivity in the cell membranes. TNF-α and caspase-8 were not observed in any layer. Caspase-10, cleaved caspase-3, XIAP and DNase-1 were found in the epithelial cytoplasm from the SS to the SG, whereas Bid, Apaf-1 and cleaved caspase-9 were detected only in the SG. Cytochrome c was observed as cytoplasmic granular positivity from the stratum basale (SB) and altered into homogeneous immunopositivity in the SG. Bcl-2 and Bcl-X immunopositivity was detected in cytoplasm from the SB to the SG. Immunoreactions of Bak in the cytoplasm and Bax beneath the cell membrane were observed from the upper portion of the SS with increasing intensity toward the SG. In the sites with the hyperproliferation of indigenous bacteria, TNF-R1, TNF-α and caspase-8 were detected in the SG and the immunopositive intensities of Bid, Apaf-1 and cleaved caspase-9 were altered to be strong. Prominently swollen cells and decreased mitochondria were ultrastructurally confirmed in the uppermost layers of stratum corneum. These findings suggest that the Fas-Fas-L-interaction initially induces apoptosis through a mitochondria-independent pathway and secondarily through a mitochondria-dependent pathway, leading to eventual epithelial cell death in the rat esophageal epithelium. The bacterial stimuli probably enhance the mitochondria-dependent pathway through the TNF-R1-TNF-α interaction.     

Genetic and environmental factors affecting ultrasound measures of longissimus muscle area and backfat thickness in Nelore cattle

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genetic and environmental factors affecting records of longissimus muscle area (LMA) and backfat thickness (BF) obtained between the 12th and 13th ribs, and rump fat thickness (RF) between the hook and pin bones, measured by real-time ultrasound in Nelore cattle. Also, weight records of 22,778 animals born from 1998 to 2003, in ten farms across six Brazilian states were used. Carcass traits as measured by ultrasound of the live animal were recorded from 2002 to 2004 in 2590 males and females with ages varying from 450 to 599 days. Fixed models including farm, year and season of birth, sex and type of feed effects, and the covariates age of dam (AOD) and age of animal at measurement were used to study the effect of environmental factors on these traits. The genetic parameters for LMA, BF and RF were estimated with two and three-trait animal models with 120-day weights using a restricted maximum likelihood method. All environmental effects significantly affected carcass traits, with the exception of year of birth for BF and RF and AOD for LMA. The heritability estimates for LMA, BF and RF were 0.35, 0.51 and 0.39, respectively. Standard errors obtained in one-trait analyses were from 0.07 to 0.09. Genetic correlation estimates between LMA and the two traits of subcutaneous fat were low (close to zero) and 0.74 between BF and RF, indicating that the selection for LMA should not cause antagonism in the genetic improvement of subcutaneous fat measured by real-time ultrasound.     

Breeding objectives of Brangus cattle in Brazil

Our goal was to define a breeding objective for Brangus beef cattle in Brazil. Bioeconomic models were produced and used to estimate economic values (EVs). The scenarios simulated were typical full-cycle beef production systems that are used in tropical and subtropical regions. The breeding objective contained pregnancy rate (PR), warm carcass weight (WCW), mature cow weight (MCW), number of nematode eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and tick count (TICK). Two models were used in series to estimate the EV. A deterministic model was used to simulate effects of PR, WCW and MCW on profitability with a constant parasite load. Subsequently, stochastic models were used to estimate economic values for TICK and EPG as consequences of their environmental effects on weight gains, mortality and health costs. The EV of PR, WCW, MCW, EPG and TICK, was US$1.59, US$2.11, −US$0.24, −US$5.35 and −US$20.88, respectively. Results indicate positive emphasis should be placed on PR (12.49%) and WCW (65.07%) with negative emphasis on MCW (13.92%), EPG (2.77%) and TICK (5.75%). In comparison with the indexes usually used, these results suggest a reformulation in the selection indexes of the beef production system in tropical and subtropical regions in order to obtain greater profitability.     

Utilization of Sake lees as Broiler Feedstuff and its Effects on Growth Performance and Intestinal Immunity

Increasing food loss and waste (FLW) is a global problem, and efforts are being made to use waste food as potential livestock feed material. The amount of self-supplied feed is lower in Japan than in other countries, and the government recommends FLW use for animal feed. Sake (Japanese rice wine) is a traditional alcoholic beverage. During the sake manufacturing process, large amounts of squeezed solids or “lees” (sake lees) are generated. Sake lees are nutritious and functional, but are prone to spoilage. In this study, we investigated whether sake lees should be mixed with animal feed immediately or after drying. To assess the usefulness of sake lees as a poultry feed ingredient and determine the effect of sake lees on intestinal immunity, we performed a feeding trial with three treatments: a raw sake lees (RSL) diet, dried sake lees (DSL) diet, and control diet. Three-week-old broilers were fed these diets (n=8 per group) for two weeks. We then calculated feed efficiency and performed RT-qPCR to assess the effects of diet on intestinal immunity. The growth performance in the RSL diet group was equivalent to that in the control diet group. The DSL diet became difficult for broilers to eat, resulting in decreased growth performance. In the ileum of RSL-diet broilers, the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 and avian β-defensin (AvBD)12 were significantly increased compared to those of control diet broilers (p<0.05), and a significant correlation was observed between the two genes (p<0.05). Our results indicated that sake lees should not be dried and should be mixed immediately with feed, and this sake lees when fed to chicken activates the intestinal immunity. However, sake lees have a lower fat content than corn, and it is thus important to combine sake lees with high-energy feed.     

Vapor phase reaction of wood with maleic anhydride (I): dimensional stability and durability of treated wood

Reaction between maleic anhydride (MA) and wood specimens was carried out in a vapor phase reaction system. Reaction conditions such as the ratio of supplied MA to wood, initial moisture content, and reaction temperature were optimized. The MA supplied to the reaction system was effectively absorbed by the wood, and a satisfactorily high dimensional stability was achieved even at a low MA/wood ratio. The dimensional stability increased with rising initial moisture content. When the reaction was conducted at an elevated temperature (180°C), high dimensional stability was attained without remarkable weight increase and bulking. The mechanism of dimensional stabilization was discussed on the basis of the dimensional changes at high humidity and during repeated water soaking and drying. It was shown that the dimensional stabilization arises mainly from a decrease of hygroscopicity. When the reaction was conducted at 180°C, the formation of cross-links in the cell wall was apparent. Following the MA treatment, the antifungal property was remarkably enhanced and met the Japanese Industrial Standard K1571. Therefore, MA treatment in the vapor phase is an effective method to attain antifungal properties as well as high dimensional stability with a small amount of nontoxic reagent.     

A case of glomus tumor in a dog

A subcutaneous mass at the digit of the left-hind limb of a 12-year-old, male mongrel dog was examined. A white firm mass, approximately 1 x 2 cm in diameter, was excided surgically. Histopathologically, the mass formed multiple nodules consisting of mixed proliferation of round epithelioid cells arranged in cord or sheet-like structures and small spindle cells forming loose irregular bundles. The epithelioid cells often showed proliferation around the blood vessels. A few giant cells scattering in the neoplastic foci were observed. The neoplastic cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and were negative for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), desmin, factor-VIII related antigen, S-100 protein, and neuron specific enolase. On the basis of these findings, this tumor was diagnosed as glomus tumor. Since the present neoplasm had neither recurrence nor distal metastasis during the 12 month after surgical resection, the biological natures of the present neoplasm are supposed to be benign.