Effects of Chloroformic Extracts from Washed and Unwashed Papaya Seeds (Carica papaya) on the Sperm Concentration of Dogs

Papaya seeds (Carica papaya Linn) have been found to have a significant effect on sperm characteristics in some mammals, including humans, but no studies have investigated the effects on dogs. In the present study, a significant decrease in sperm concentration was observed in a group of dogs treated with extracts from washed papaya seeds, but no decrease was observed in the group of dogs treated with non‐washed seeds. An important effect of extract components from washed seeds such as fatty acids is probably involved in the reduction of sperm production because of Sertoli cell damage, as has been suggested for langur monkeys. Dilution of the active components in the non‐washed papaya seeds or interference with some of the components may reduce the expected effect on spermatogenesis. This first report on the effects of a chloroformic extract of papaya seeds in dogs suggests that an increased dose is necessary to achieve azoospermia.     

Electronic structures of single-walled carbon nanotubes determined by NMR

Single-walled carbon nanotubes were studied by (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Two types of (13)C nuclear spins were identified with different spin-lattice relaxation rates. The fast-relaxing component, assigned to metallic tubes, followed the relaxation behavior expected in metals, and the density-of-states at the Fermi level increased with decreasing tube diameter. The slow-relaxing component has a significantly lower density-of-states at the Fermi level. Exposure to oxygen has a substantial effect on relaxation rates of both components.     

赛乐硒对发情奶牛外周血生殖激素含量和繁殖性能的影响

选用35头处于干奶期40d、泌乳期相近和上胎平均日产奶量20kg的荷斯坦奶牛,采用完全随机区组设计分为7组,即:对照组,基础日粮(不加硒);试验组1、2、3添加亚硒酸钠,分别在基础日粮中加硒7.5mg/d、15mg/d和22.5mg/d;试验组4、5、6添加赛乐硒,分别在基础日粮中加硒7.5mg/d、15mg/d和22.5mg/d,研究赛乐硒和无机硒对奶牛发情周期生殖激素分泌和繁殖性能的影响。结果表明:赛乐硒较无机硒显著提高了发情周期促性腺激素释放激素、促卵泡素、促黄体素、雌二醇和孕酮含量,显著提高了受配率和受胎率,缩短了胎衣排出周期,促进母牛正常发情。适宜补硒量为15 mg/d。