Über einige Nutzholzborkenkäfer und ihre Feinde

Summary Studies of some shot-hole borer species and their natural enemies The biology of some shot-hole borer species is not yet fully elucidated especially with regard to voltinism. Development ofTrypodendron domesticum L. is protracted and thus multivoltism simulated. This species is, however, generally univoltine although occasionally a partial second generation may be found. The same applies forXyleborinus saxeseni Ratz. Two parasite species have been found:Perniphora robusta Ruschka (Pteromalidae) andIpideurytoma spessivtsevi Boucek & Novicky (Eurytomidae). All investigators agree that the former is a specific primary ectoparasite of ambriosa beetles whereas the status of the latter is still disputed. The problem is discussed and phenological-, morphological-, parasitological- and geographical criteria are provided which suggest thatI. spessivtsevi is also a primary ectoparasite of shot-hole borers. The effect of both the Chalcididae is low. Rate of parasitism is in most cases below 10 per cent and on average even below 3 per cent. Other natural enemies (predacious beetles and mites) and diseases (bacteriosis) may increase the total effect to over 50 per cent.

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Herrn E. Hüttinger, Delémont, danken wir für die Anfertigung der Abbildungen.     

Antioxidative Effects of Astaxanthin against Nitric Oxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress on Cell Viability and Gene Expression in Bovine Oviduct Epithelial Cell and the Developmental Competence of Bovine IVM/IVF Embryos

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) co‐culture on developmental capacity of bovine in vitro oocyte maturation/in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) embryos. We examined the effects of astaxanthin against nitric oxide‐induced oxidative stress on cell viability by MTT assay, lipid peroxidation (LPO) by using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction for malondialdehyde (MDA) and the expression of antioxidant genes (CuZnSOD, MnSOD and Catalase) or apoptosis genes (Bcl‐2, Caspase‐3 and Bax) by RT‐PCR in BOEC. We also evaluated the developmental rates of bovine IVM/IVF embryos co‐cultured with BOEC pre‐treated with astaxanthin (500 μm ) in the presence or absence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1000 μm ) for 24 h. Cell viability in BOEC treated with SNP (50–2000 μm ) lowered, while astaxanthin addition (50–500 μm ) increased it in a dose‐dependent manner. Cell viability in astaxanthin plus SNP (1000 μm ) gradually recovered according to the increase in astaxanthin additions (100–500 mm ). The LPO in astaxanthin group (50–500 μM) gradually decreased in a dose dependent manner and among SNP or astaxanthin plus SNP group, SNP alone and astaxanthin (50 μM) plus SNP shown a significant increase than other groups (p < 0.05). Expression of apoptosis or antioxidant genes was detected by RT‐PCR. Bcl‐2 and antioxidant genes were detected in astaxanthin or astaxanthin plus SNP group, and Caspase‐3 and Bax genes were only found in SNP group. When bovine IVM/IVF embryos were cultured for 6–7 days under co‐culture system such as BOEC treated with astaxanthin in the presence or absence of SNP, the developmental ability to blastocysts in 500 μm astaxanthin group was the highest of all groups. These results suggest that astaxanthin has a antioxidative effect on cell viability and LPO of BOEC, and development of bovine IVM/IVF embryos due to the induction of antioxidant genes and suppression of apoptosis genes.     

Seed treatment prevents vertical transmission of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium moniliforme</Emphasis>, making a significant contribution to disease control

Fusarium moniliforme is a widespread facultative endophyte, primarily associated with corn, where it causes extensive crop damage.F. moniliforme can be toxigenic, the carcinogenic fumonisins being accumulated predominantly when the fungus colonizes corn plants. The pathogen is transmitted both through contaminated seeds and through environmental inoculum. This study utilized markednit-mutantF. moniliforme inoculum in order to evaluate the quantitative significance of seedborne disease transmission. Greenhouse and field trials demonstrated that seedborne isolates were responsible for up to 50% ofF. moniliforme disease. Seed treatment with the fungicide prochloraz was found to control seedborne transmission and to protect againstF. moniliforme seedling blight. The elimination of seedborne inoculum resulted in reduced incidence of kernel rot and avoided the increment in soil inoculum accumulation associated with the introduction of infected seeds. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 10, 2003.     

Effect of oxytocin on expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 mRNA and protein in ovine endometrial tissue in vivo

The induction of endometrial prostaglandin (PG) F₂ synthesis by oxytocin is dependent upon activation of phospholipase (PL) A₂ and mobilization of arachidonic acid. The objective of this study was to determine if oxytocin stimulates PGF₂ synthesis by inducing synthesis of cytosolic PLA₂ (cPLA₂). In Experiment 1, 15 ovariectomized ewes were given progesterone and estradiol to simulate an estrous cycle. Ewes were then given an injection of oxytocin on Day 14 of the simulated estrous cycle. Jugular blood samples were collected and assayed for 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F₂ (PGFM). Uteri were collected at 0, 7.5, 25, 90, or 240 min postinjection (n = 3 ewes/time point). Total RNA was isolated from caruncular endometrium and subjected to dot-blot analysis. Oxytocin induced a rapid and transient increase in serum PGFM (P < 0.01). However, endometrial concentrations of cPLA2 mRNA did not change following oxytocin administration (P > 0.10). In Experiment 2, 11 ovary-intact ewes were given oxytocin (n = 5) or saline (n = 6) on Day 15 after estrus. Jugular blood samples were collected and assayed for serum concentrations of PGFM. Uteri were collected at 15 min postinjection. Homogenates were prepared from caruncular endometrium and subjected to Western blot analysis. Concentrations of PGFM were higher in oxytocin treated ewes compared to saline treated ewes at 15 min postinjection (P < 0.01). Endometrial concentrations of cPLA₂ protein were greater in the cytosolic than in the microsomal fraction (P < 0.01). Oxytocin did not affect the amount of cPLA₂ protein in either fraction (P > 0.10). In conclusion, oxytocin did not effect expression of either cPLA₂ mRNA or protein in ovine endometrium. Oxytocin may stimulate PGF₂ synthesis by activating cPLA₂ protein that is already present in an inactive form.     

Mechanical comparison of materials used for extra-capsular stabilisation of the stifle joint in dogs

Objective The mechanical properties of three materials (No. 2 polypropylene, No. 5 polybutilate-coated multifilament polyester and 18, 27 and 36 kg test monofilament nylon leader material) commonly used for extra-capsular stabilisation of the stifle in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency were determined. The ability of No. 5 polybutilate-coated multifilament polyester and 36 kg test monofilament nylon leader material, when placed as extra-capsular sutures, to mitigate cranial drawer was evaluated in hindlimbs of cadavers. Design An in vitro mechanical study. Animals Seven pairs of hindlimbs harvested from adult greyhound dogs recently euthanased for other reasons. Procedure Samples of each material, including samples of 27 kg test leader material that had been sterilised by one of three methods (ethylene oxide, one or five cycles in an autoclave), were loaded to determine tensile and stress relaxation properties. The effect of cyclic loading on a No. 5 polybutilate-coated multifilament polyester and 36 kg test leader material was also determined. Using the harvested hindlimbs, cranial drawer was measured before and after transection of the cranial cruciate ligament and on the first and twelfth cycle following extra-capsular stabilisation with either No. 5 polybu-tilate-coated multifilament suture or 36 kg test leader material. Results Leader material was found to have the most suitable mechanical characteristics for use as extracapsular stabilisation of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. Of the sterilisation methods, ethylene oxide was found to have the least detrimental effects on the handling and material characteristics of the leader material. Stifles stabilised with 36 kg test leader material had significantly less drawer than those stabilised with No. 5 polybutilate-coated multifilament polyester suture. Clinical implications Monofilament nylon leader material would appear to have suitable mechanical properties for extra-capsular stabilisation of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. If possible the material should be sterilised using ethylene oxide.     

Changes in hormones, metabolites, and milk after treatment with sometribove (recombinant methionyl bST) in Deutsches Fleckvieh and German black and white cows

Twelve second-lactation Deutsches Fleckvieh cows, (FV, a dual-purpose breed) and 12 German Black and White (BW, a dairy breed) were used to evaluate similarities and differences in the response to a prolonged-release formulation of sometribove (N-methionyl bovine somatotropin, bST). Cows were milked twice daily and fed a basic diet (70% corn silage, 30% alfalfa hay) ad libitum plus 1 kg of concentrate. Additionally, concentrates and supplements were offered at the rate of 1 kg for each 22 kg of milk produced above 12 kg/d. Six cows of each breed were treated s.c. with 500 mg of sometribove at 14-d intervals from wk 9 to 29 postpartum (pp). Blood was collected by jugular vein puncture once weekly from wk 7 to 33 pp and daily for 14 d after the first and last (11th) injection of bST. Somatotropin (ST), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin, thyroid hormones, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), liver enzymes, and blood metabolites were evaluated. During bST treatment, plasma ST increased significantly on d 7 in both breeds and then decreased on d 14 after injection. Plasma IGF-I was positively correlated with ST. Plasma NEFA were high on d 7 and decreased on d 14. In response to bST, the average milk yield increased for FV and BW cows by 5.1 kg/d (29.7%) and 5.0 kg/d (28%), respectively, and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) increased by 5.0 kg/d (28%) and 5.3 kg/d (19.9%), respectively. Milk content of fat, protein, lactose, number of somatic cells, and body weight were similar across treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)