Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells,SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10^?7, 10^?9 and 10^?11 M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM  + 10^?7, IVM  + 10^?9, IVM  + 10^?11) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC  + 10^?7, IVC  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?11) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10^?9 M) from Experiments 1–2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?9, IVM /IVC  + 10^?9). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM  + 10^?9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC  + 10^?7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC  + 10^?9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC  + 10^?9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC  + 10^?9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC  + 10^?9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD 2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB 1) compared to the IVM  + 10^?9. Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10^?9 M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.     

Hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide premedication on cardiovascular variables of horses sedated with medetomidine

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) hyoscine premedication on physiologic variables following IV administration of medetomidine in horses.Study designRandomized, crossover experimental study.AnimalsEight healthy crossbred horses weighing 330 ± 39 kg and aged 7 ± 4 years.MethodsBaseline measurements of heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), respiratory rate, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), percentage of patients with second degree atrioventricular (2^oAV) block, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pH, and arterial partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) and oxygen (PaO₂) were obtained 5 minutes before administration of IV hyoscine (0.14 mg kg^?1; group HIV), IM hyoscine (0.3 mg kg^?1; group HIM), or an equal volume of physiologic saline IV (group C). Five minutes later, medetomidine (7.5 μg kg^?1) was administered IV and measurements were recorded at various time points for 130 minutes.ResultsMedetomidine induced bradycardia, 2^oAV blocks and increased SVR immediately after administration, without significant changes in CI or MAP in C. Hyoscine administration induced tachycardia and hypertension, and decreased the percentage of 2^oAV blocks induced by medetomidine. Peak HR and MAP were higher in HIV than HIM at 88 ± 18 beats minute^?1 and 241 ± 37 mmHg versus 65 ± 16 beats minute^?1 and 192 ± 38 mmHg, respectively. CI was increased significantly in HIV (p ≤ 0.05). Respiratory rate decreased significantly in all groups during the recording period. pH, PaCO₂ and PaO₂ were not significantly changed by administration of medetomidine with or without hyoscine.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyoscine administered IV or IM before medetomidine in horses resulted in tachycardia and hypertension under the conditions of this study. The significance of these changes, and responses to other dose rates, requires further investigation.     

Satisfaction across urban consumers of smallholder-produced teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) poles in South Benin

The study used the expectancy-disconfirmation framework to investigate the satisfaction among urban consumers of teak pole in South Benin, so as to identify the areas where interventions are needed to secure market opportunity for smallholder forestry. A survey was conducted in five cities; and 223 household-heads were interviewed using systematic sampling, with a random start. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, teak pole consumption forms, behaviour patterns, and motivations. Respondents also rated their expectations and perceptions for a set of nine attributes on a 7 points Likert scale. Hierarchical ascending cluster analysis was performed to identify consumer segments; and satisfaction level was analysed per segment, by determining the gap between expectations and perceptions, for all attributes. Four consumer segments were identified; and sociodemographic profiles differed across those segments. Competitive price was an important purchasing motivation across the identified segments. Consumers were dissatisfied with price, availability, knot frequency, bending, length, hardness, and durability of teak pole. The efforts to meet the consumer expectations should be concentrated on building farmers' capacity in silvicultural management, and ensuring the availability of good planting material. The issue of competitive price might be addressed, through the improvement of the overall efficiency in the value chain.     

Use of sodium monoiodoacetate to fuse the distal hock joints in horses

SUMMARY Intra-articular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) was investigated as an agent for chemical arthrodesis of the distal hock joints in the horse. Five horses diagnosed with either spavin (three horses), a small tarsal bone fracture or a failed surgical arthrodesis, had 150 mg of MIA injected into the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint of the affected hock(s). Eight joints were treated in the five horses. Follow-up evaluation by clinical and radiological examination took place over 9 to 14 months. Two of the five horses were sound at the conclusion of the study and one horse, although lame after flexion, was considered by the owner to have been treated successfully. One of eight TMT joints showed complete radiographic fusion. Complications after treatment included pain, chronic lameness and swelling. It was concluded that chemical arthrodesis using this technique can not be recommended as being a superior treatment as compared with surgical arthrodesis at this time but is deserving of further clinical evaluation.     

Dermatophytes from skin lesions of domestic animals in Nsukka,Enugu State,Nigeria

Background – Dermatophytes are well‐recognized cutaneous fungi with public health implications. In Nigeria, several studies have been carried out on dermatophytosis in humans; however, data on dermatophytes in animals are lacking. Objectives – This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and species of dermatophytes in skin lesions in domestic animals in Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. Animals – Forty‐six domestic animals (dogs, goats, sheep and pigs) presented for sale in the local markets in the study area and with suspected lesions of dermatophytosis were used for the study. Methods – Plucked hairs and epidermal scales from the skin lesions of affected animals were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar slants containing 0.05 mg/mL of chloramphenicol and 0.5 mg/mL of cycloheximide. Inoculated slants were incubated at room temperature (27°C) for up to 4 weeks and examined at 2–3 day intervals for fungal growth. Laboratory identification of the fungal isolates was based on their colonial, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. Results – Of the 46 animals with suspected lesions of dermatophytosis, six (13.0%) were positive for a dermatophyte, and the following dermatophytes were identified: Microsporum gypseum, two of 12 sheep; Microsporum audouinii, one of 16 dogs; Trichophyton mentagrophytes, one of 16 dogs and one of 12 sheep; and Trichophyton schoenleinii, one of 13 goats. Conclusions and clinical importance – Anthropophilic dermatophytes are among the fungal agents associated with dermatophytosis in animals in Nsukka Agricultural Zone. These dermatophytes could constitute health risks to humans in contact with the animals.     

Growth and survival of the freshwater clam,Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) cultured on different substrata at the Volta estuary,Ghana

This study was conducted to assess the optimum clam size and substratum type for the culture of Galatea paradoxa. The experiment was conducted over a 90‐day period at the Volta Estuary, Ghana. Three size classes of G. paradoxa categorized as small (27.6 ± 0.4 mm), medium (36.8 ± 0.4 mm) and large (50.0 ± 0.6 mm), were used to ascertain the effect of a sandy and muddy substratum on growth performance and survival. Growth increased from the small‐sized clams to the large‐sized clams at 2.54, 3.03 and 3.43 g, respectively, over the experimental period. Growth was higher (P < 0.05) in the muddy substratum (3.58 g) compared with sandy (2.41 g). Similarly, the specific growth rate increased from 0.99% day^?1 in the small‐sized clams to 1.36% day^?1 in the large‐sized clams. Survival rates were significantly higher (99.4%) for the large‐sized clams compared with the medium (78.8%) and the small‐size clams (74.1%). There was significant interaction between the size class and the substratum type with a trend towards increasing survival rate from the small to the large size clams in both substrata. The survival rate was lower in the muddy substratum (71.4%) compared with the sandy substratum (96.7%). The yield was significantly higher in the muddy (2.01 kg m^?2 90 day^?1) compared with sandy substratum (1.87 kg m^?2 90 day^?1). The results of this study indicate that the culture of small‐sized clams is best practiced on sandy substratum due to their elevated survival rates, whereas the muddy substratum appears most suitable for the culture of larger clams (>40 mm) because of their relatively higher survivorship and better growth performance.     

Survey of Fura production in some northern states of Nigeria

The objective of research was to conduct a survey related to the production process for fura. Fura is a staple food for the Fulanis and Hausas. The single most important cereal grain for fura production is millet. A significant difference exists among respondents on the variety of millet chosen for fura production. A significantly greater proportion (p=0.05) indicated that `gero' is the variety in common use. Spices are indispensable as an ingredient in fura production with ginger being the single most important spice (p=0.01). The traditional pounding method for processing millet into flour is still very much used. The implication of this is highlighted and a possible solution of optimizing fura production process is recommended. Strictly speaking, fura is distributed with a minimum of packaging. The choice of suitable package provided protection during a generally short shelf-life and for local distribution. With increasing influence of advertising upon customers, small food processing enterprises making fura will have to improve the packaging and preservation of their products if they are to survive the competition.     

Heavy metal concentrations and sediment quality of a cage farm on Lake Volta,Ghana

This study involved the determination of sediment quality and heavy metals in the water column and bottom sediment of a selected cage fish farm in Lake Volta, to assess the potential impact of metals and organic matter pollution on the lake due to cage fish farming. Sediment analysis indicated that the texture of all sampling sites was sandy clay loam with sand dominating with a range of 31.5%–81.2%. The organic matter (TOM) ranged from 4.42%–8.89%, while organic carbon (TOC) was from 2.57%–5.22%. Total nitrogen (TN) fluctuated between 0.22% and 0.45%; total phosphate ranged between 0.22% and 5.30%. The TOC, TOM and TN content in the farm sediment were significantly lower than those of the reference sites (ANOVA, p < .05). Lead, copper, cadmium and selenium were not detected in the water. The results revealed that heavy metal concentrations in the water column and sediments were low and within tolerable levels, indicating no influence of metals from fish feed was observed on the lake water quality. However, the farm seemed to have moderate impact on sediment quality from organic matter. Water and sediment quality monitoring should be embarked upon periodically to ensure sustainable cage culture in the Lake Volta.