Stress exposure during the preimplantation period affects blastocyst lineages and offspring development

We found retardation of preimplantation embryo growth after exposure to maternal restraint stress during the preimplantation period in our previous study. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of preimplantation maternal restraint stress on the distribution of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells in mouse blastocysts, and its possible effect on physiological development of offspring. We exposed spontaneously ovulating female mice to restraint stress for 30 min three times a day during the preimplantation period, and this treatment caused a significant increase in blood serum corticosterone concentration. Microscopic evaluation of embryos showed that restraint stress significantly decreased cell counts per blastocyst. Comparing the effect of restraint stress on the two blastocyst cell lineages, we found that the reduction in TE cells was more substantial than the reduction in ICM cells, which resulted in an increased ICM/TE ratio in blastocysts isolated from stressed dams compared with controls. Restraint stress reduced the number of implantation sites in uteri, significantly delayed eye opening in delivered mice, and altered their behavior in terms of two parameters (scratching on the base of an open field test apparatus, time spent in central zone) as well. Moreover, prenatally stressed offspring had significantly lower body weights and in 5-week old females delivered from stressed dams, fat deposits were significantly lower. Our results indicate that exposure to stress during very early pregnancy can have a negative impact on embryonic development with consequences reaching into postnatal life.     

Medium optimization for efficient somatic embryogenesis and in vitro plant regeneration of spring common wheat varieties

The efficiency of morphogenesis is investigated in an in vitro culture of common wheat varieties Andros, Lada, Lyuba, Noris, Taezhnaya, and Enita. Data of an analysis of the phytohormonal composition of the medium showed that, for efficient induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration, it is preferable to use auxin 2,4-D and Dicamba rather than 2,4,5-T and 4-CPA since they don’t have a sufficient stimulating effect on wheat tissues. Variation of the carbohydrate composition of the nutrient medium showed that the addition of various sources (sucrose, maltose, glucose) at a certain concentration can equally efficiently stimulate a morphogenic response in all studied wheat varieties.     

Position of the head is not associated with changes in horse vision

It has become accepted that the horse cannot see directly in front when the nose is lowered and must therefore rely on the rider. We tested the hypothesis that this conclusion would be correct only if the horse did not adjust the eyeball horizontal axis to changes of the head position. The results of the present study suggest that it is unlikely that horses have limited vision in relation to their head position when driven by the rider, and that the horse maintains the optimal horizontal eyeball position regardless of head position relative to the ground.     

Transgenic Crysanthemum plants transformed with the gene encoding for the virus B coat protein

Chrysanthemum transgenic plants with integrated single and double copies of the gene encoding for the virus B coat protein have been created via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Both mRNA and the gene product have been revealed in several transformed lines only. The use of the transgenic chrysanthemum plants in the development of varieties resistant to the B virus is discussed.     

Development of regeneration system and study of the transformation potential of a commercial tomato variety

The regeneration and transformation potentials of tomato variety Rekordsmen having economically valuable traits is studied. The optimal hormonal composition of the nutrient medium and type of explant for producing the greatest number of shoots are determined. The efficiency of introducing the gfp gene during Agrobacterium transformation is estimated.     

Expression of genes encoding chitin-binding proteins (PR-4) and hevein-like antimicrobial peptides in transgenic tomato plants enhanced resistanse to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestance</Emphasis>

The resistance of transgenic tomato plants containing genes of chitin-binding proteins from Amaranthus caudatus (ac) and A. retraflexus (RS-intron-Shir) and hevein-like antimicrobial peptides (amp1 and amp2) from Stellaria media is analyzed. Lines expressing genes ac, amp1, and amp2 are characterized, unlike the untransformed control, by enhanced resistance to a isolate Phytophthora infestans obtained from potato leaves.     

Surface Runoff and Snowmelt Infiltration into the Soil on Plowlands in the Forest-Steppe and Steppe Zones of the East European Plain

Long-term series of observations over the spring water balance elements on fields with hydrologically contrasting agricultural backgrounds―a loose soil after fall moldboard plowing and a plowland compacted by 12–16% compared to the former soil (perennial grasses, winter crops, stubble)―have been analyzed. The values of surface runoff and water infiltration into the soil in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of European Russia have been calculated for the spring (flooding) period and the entire cold season. The hydrological role of fall plowing has been shown, and water balance elements for the current (1981–2016) and preceding (1957–1980) periods have been compared. A significant decrease in runoff and an increase of water reserve in the soil have been revealed on all plowland types. Consequences of changes in the spring water balance on plowland have been analyzed.     

Use of priobiotics in animal husbandry

The efficacy of adding vitamycin to the ration of dry pregnant cows and pregnant sows and normoflor, macerobacillin, pectavamorin, and magnesium perchlorate separately and in combination with enzymes preparations to the ration of calves is shown.