Formation of a Reservoir of Sperm in the Oviduct

A reservoir of sperm in the initial segment of the oviduct has been found in several species of domestic and laboratory mammals. Evidently, the reservoir serves to ensure successful fertilization by providing the appropriate number of sperm in the appropriate physiological state for fertilizing oocytes soon after they enter the oviduct. Recent evidence indicates that sperm are trapped in the reservoir by binding to specific carbohydrate moieties on the surface of the mucosal epithelium of the oviduct. A bovine seminal plasma protein has been identified that associates with sperm and confers on them the capacity to bind to the carbohydrate moiety.     

Estimating the level of disease risk and biosecurity on commercial poultry farms in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aims: To collect baseline data on the contact risk pathways and biosecurity practices of commercial poultry farms in New Zealand, investigate the relationship between the farm-level disease contact risks and biosecurity practices, and identify important poultry health concerns of producers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all registered New Zealand commercial poultry operations was conducted in 2016 collecting information on farm demographics, biosecurity practices, and contact risk pathways. Survey responses were used to generate an unweighted subjective disease risk score based on eight risk criteria and a subjective biosecurity score based on the frequency with which producers reported implementing seven biosecurity measures. Producer opinions towards poultry health issues were also determined.

Results: Responses to the survey response were obtained from 120/414 (29.0%) producers, including 57/157 (36.3%) broiler, 33/169 (19.5%) layer, 24/55 (44%) breeder, and 6/32 (19%) other poultry production types. Median disease risk scores differed between production types (p?<?0.001) and were lowest for breeder enterprises. The greatest risk for layer and broiler enterprises was from the potential movement of employees between sheds, and for breeder enterprises was the on- and off-farm movement of goods and services. Median biosecurity scores also differed between production types (p?<?0.001), and were highest for breeder and broiler enterprises. Across all sectors there was no statistical correlation between biosecurity scores and disease risk scores. Producers showed a high level of concern over effectively managing biosecurity measures.

Conclusions: The uptake of biosecurity measures in the commercial poultry farms surveyed was highly variable, with some having very low scores despite significant potential disease contact risks. This may be related to the low prevalence or absence of many important infectious poultry diseases in New Zealand leading farmers to believe there is a limited need to maintain good biosecurity as well as farmer uncertainty around the efficacy of different biosecurity measures. Further research is needed to understand barriers towards biosecurity adoption including evaluating the cost-effectiveness of biosecurity interventions.     

Vaginal Neurofibroma in a Hysterectomized Poodle Dog

A 15‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of a mass of tissue prolapsed from the vulva. The dog had been hysterectomized when it was 5 years old. A vaginal mass had been removed approximately 10 months before presentation. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated mild leucocytosis and glycaemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of parabasal cells and intermediate cells with no neoplastic cells. Thoracal and abdominal radiographic findings were unremarkable. The ovaries could not be identified using abdominal ultrasonography. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified both ovaries that were surgically excised. The vaginal mass was also removed following an episiotomy procedure. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a neurofibroma. Both ovaries had cystic changes. Four months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a vaginal neurofibroma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.     

Chrysin Reduced Acrylamide-Induced Neurotoxicity in Both in vitro and in vivo Assessments

Background: Acrylamide (ACR) is a well-known industrial toxic chemical that produces neurotoxicity, which is characterized by progressive central and peripheral neuronal degeneration. Chrysin is a natural, biologically active flavonoid compound, which is commonly found in many plants. The antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of chrysin have been demonstrated. Methods: In this study, the possible effect of chrysin on ACR-induced toxicity was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. PC12 cells were used as a suitable in vitro model. Cells were exposed to chrysin (0.5-5 µM) for 12 and 24 h, and then ACR in IC₅₀ concentration was added to the cells. Finally, cell viability was determined using (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay. For in vivo assay, Wistar rats were treated with ACR (50 mg/kg i.p. for 11 days) alone or in combination with chrysin (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg). At the end of treatment, behavioral index was evaluated. Results: ACR decreased cell viability and pre-treatment with chrysin (0.5-5 µM) significantly decreased ACR-induced cytotoxicity in the time- and dose-dependent manner. In Wistar rats, exposure to ACR significantly induced severe gait abnormalities, but treatment with chrysin (50 mg/kg) reduced ACR-induced neurotoxicity in animals. Conclusion: In the current study, chrysin exhibited neuroprotective effect on PC12 cells as an in vitro model and also on Wistar rats. Iran. Key Words: Acrylamide, Chrysin, Neurotoxicity, Antioxidant     

Protective effects of crocin against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure and oxidative stress in rats

Background. The major side effect of cisplatin, used in some tumours, is nephrotoxicity. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage are the most important factors in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effects of crocin against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure and oxidative stress in rat. Methods. In this study, animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (6 each). Group one received normal saline (2 ml/day, i.p.). Group two received a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Groups 3 to 5 received crocin (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p., respectively, for 4 consecutive days one hour before a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) only at the first day. Blood samples were taken out (on the fifth day) for measuring the level of urea and creatinine. The kidneys were removed for histopathological and biochemical examinations. Furthermore, 24-hour urinary factors were measured. Results. Blood urea, creatinine and urinary glucose and protein concentrations in crocin-treated groups were significantly lower than those of cisplatin-treated group in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological studies showed a massive damage in S3 segment of proximal tubules in cisplatin-treated group. No damage was observed in crocin-treated groups. Crocin treatment resulted in a significant and dose-dependent reduction in malondialdehyde concentration as compared to the cisplatin-treated group. Moreover, crocin produced a significant elevation in total thiol and glutathione peroxidase concentrations, as compared with cisplatin-treated group. Conclusion. The results of the present study suggest that crocin has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure and relative oxidative stress.     

Direct somatic embryogenesis in Epipactis veratrifolia,a temperate terrestrial orchid

Most temperate terrestrial orchids are endangered species. Attempts to produce plantlets from plants of the genus Epipactis by asexual methods have totally failed. This study was conducted using somatic embryogenesis as a rapid vegetative propagation technique for conservation of E. veratrifolia. For these purposes, effects of different types of plant growth regulators (PGRs), different types of explants, light and dark conditions, and the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and Paclobutrazol (PBZ) were investigated on somatic embryogenesis induction. Abscisic acid (ABA) pre-treatment effectiveness on inducting somatic embryogenesis and increasing the number of embryos per explant were investigated. Subsequently, 16 media were tested to find the best medium for plant regeneration and shoot and root proliferation. BA (3 mg L^?1) resulted in a better response than the other PGRs by supporting the development of 17 embryos per protocorm. PBZ, which resulted in 11 embryos per explant, was better than GA₃. FAST medium supplemented with organic substances was recognized as the best medium for plant regeneration and shoot and root proliferation. ABA pre-treatment had positive effect on somatic embryogenesis initiation. This study, for the first time, succeeded in finding a rapid and suitable protocol for propagation and genetic resource conservation of E. veratrifolia.     

Biochemical analysis of uterine fluid for identification of indicators for subclinical endometritis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Alterations in biochemical constituents of uterine fluid have been suggested for diagnosis of subclinical uterine infection in the bovine. This study was undertaken to investigate whether uterine fluid biomolecules could act as tool for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in the buffalo. Uterine fluid samples from normal (n = 22) and subclinical endometritis (n = 18; diagnosed based on uterine cytology)‐affected buffaloes were subjected to biochemical analysis. Among the different biochemical constituents estimated, urea, urea N, cholesterol, total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in uterine fluid obtained from subclinical endometritis‐affected buffaloes. The extent of difference between normal and subclinical endometritis‐affected buffaloes was highest in ALP (69%) followed by cholesterol (55%), bilirubin (48%), urea (30%) and urea N (30%) concentrations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the likelihood ratio (LR) was 3.63 for urea, indicating that buffaloes having less than the threshold concentration (47.5 mg/dl) of urea in their uterine fluid were at 3.6 times more risk to be affected with SE. The LRs for urea N, cholesterol, ALP and bilirubin were 2.33, 2.54, 2.12 and 1.65, respectively. It was concluded that ALP, urea, urea N and cholesterol concentrations in uterine fluid may serve as an aid for diagnosing subclinical endometritis in the buffalo.